Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-18
Retail Average Up Slightly
Despite Some Signs of
BetWeen-Season Lag.
LARGEST GAIN SHOWN
BY AUTO PRODUCTION.
Rebound to $3.50 Mark Staged.
Steel Output Advances to 4S.1
Per Cent of Capacity.
BY RAIDER WINGET.


parts of the country, business and in
dustry last week scored further aggre-
gate gains.
The forward movement added to
the cumulative total registered in the
Midsummer recovery drive, now in its
seventh week.
Major lines Of industry. as measured
by the Associated Press weekly index
OF industrial activity, reached a level
above the previous week and the same
period Of a year ago.
Retail trade, which has moved for
ward steadily in most communities
in recent weeks, reflected a between
season tendency. with reports from
some sections indicating slowness.
The total for the country. however,
appeared to be slightly above the pre-
vous week and still well ahead of the
1884 period.
Greatest gain OF the week was
credited to motors. With Ford back
in production after a shutdown. out
put reported by Grams was $685.
units, compared with 48O67 for tn
previous week and 1884 for the 1885,
week.
Material for 1886 Models.
That favorable showing was sur
ported by steel production. who
mounted to 48.1 per cent of capacit
from As per cent in the previous wee
the sixth consecutive rise.
A factor in that movement IVES
the demand from motor makers fo
material to go into 1886 models A
the same time miscellaneous sale
broadened and steel centers declared
the farm implement and tool manu-
facturers still we're taking supplies OF
metal in good volume.
Cotton manufacturing activity, aft
er curtailment in July, expanded last
week in marked manner, contrary
to expectations, and some sources
stated the upturn appeared TO be the
beginning Of the long-awaited Fall
| rise.
Retailers were hampered and aided
alike by Summer weather in various
parts of the Nation. A few reports
were characterized by the phrase
holding its own" to describe the
| status of trade.
| Wholesale Trade Expands.
Wholesalers, on. the other hand, ex-
banded sales in anticipation of the
opening Of Fall business, and attend
ance at merchandise shows continued
high in the secondary market centers
| From Washington came reports on
| the possibility of a i2-cent loan to
cotton producers, an action considered
market peg by traders. Futures ex-
changes reacted sharply and then
hesitated pending announcement of a
| definite policy.
President Roosevelt signed the Sc
curity bill, which was considered
boon to those facing economic ad-
versity, but some industrialists with
large pay rolls had misgivings over
the imposition of the tax which
would enable fulhllfnent of the pro-
/ gram. '..-.'''
Nevertheless there were optimistic
statements on economic conditions
by business leaders, and General Mo-
tors Corp. announced a $50, 1000, 900
expansion program. Several large
employers announced pay increases
and upward adjustments during the
week.
| Verifying previous estimates, build
ing construction in July was at the
best level since March, 1884, a period
when the Public Works Administra-
ton program was going strong.
For the week ending August 10
electric power production declined
slightly, and carloadings fell as q
result Of lower shipments of coal.
Individual Reports Given.
Individual reports from Federal Re-
serve districts follow:
BOSTON.-Showing confidence in
the market, textile manufacturers
hiked prices on blankets Hides and
skins continued their advance, and
some Shoemakers stepped up. produc-
ton recently The movement in wool
was reported broader.
NEW YORK-Retail trades expan-
sion was checked by high tempera-
lures in the metropolitan area, but
wholesale markets were crowded by
buyers for Fall lines. Both classes
were optimistic on the outlook.
Buffalo steel production declined 3
points to "a per cent of capacity.
PHILADELPHIA Industrial and
trade reports showed the Philadelphia
area holding slightly above the nor
NAL seasonal level, but improvement
has been evident lately in several i'm
portant lines.
| CLEVELAND. - Retail trade was
stated to be advancing some" with
officials expecting an irregularity be-
fore the opening of Fall business.
Cleveland steel production was of
and youngstown was up. Employment
statistics were fairly steady.
ID. c. Trade Brisk.
RICHMOND.-A Summer decline
slowed the advance of business in the
fifth district, but there was evidence
that renewed activity would follow the
lull. Washington retail trade was
brisk, but other centers suffered con-
traction. Wholesalers marked time
ATLANTA.-Retail trade held its
own in the sixth district at level
considered good by merchandise exec
utives. Bank clearings continued the
recent upward surge. Birmingham
steel production remained unchanged
at 35.5 per cent Of capacity.
CHICAGO-Moderate Summer weather
stimulated advance buying for Fall, it was
reported by retailers in the Chicago dis
trict. Clothing sales were particularly
good. and general trade was about at the
1884 level. A survey showed foreign trade
for representative groups in the 1885 frst
half 40 per cent over 1884.
ST. LOUIS.-Wholesale trade picked up
attained large Volume ' Beverage an inter- S
ests, favored by weather. reported the
largest turnover of recent years. Rural