Evening star., 1935-04-28
Auto Industry Keeps Lead
With 110,970 Output,
Highest Since 1929.
WIDE GAIN IN RAIL
L0ADINGS UNEXPECTED
Coal and Steel Productions Also
Rise, but Electric Power
Total Goes Down.
BY RAIDER WINGET.
Associated Press Financial Writer

Associated Press Financial Writer.
The Nations business, Influenced
last week by both Spring and Sum-
mer trade cycles. displayed an under
tone Of strength.
East, reported retarding influences
which hampered the growth of dis
tinct trend in either direction, a num-
Der Of analyses agreed that general
business and industry moved forward.
Flying the flag of prosperity
peaks" the automobile industry pro-
duced 110,970 units last week, the
highest week production since August
of 1929.
The trend of motor output has been
upward for many months, and Grams
said production estimates for May
gave indication of little or no decline
from April.
Dealers statements to manufac-
turers show a comparable condition
in the retail field, with the used-car
market declining as an adverse infiu-
ence on new-car sales.
Loadings Gains General.
Carloading reports for the week
ended April 20 revealed advances In
almost all types of freight. with the
total up per cent from the previous
week. Such a wide gain was more
than normally expected at this time
of year.
Although bituminous coal produc-
ton for the same week was 6.150006
net tons, compared with 5,522 600 net
tons the previous week. shipments OF
coal, as shown in the carloadings re-
port, were not appreciably higher than
other types of freight.
Production of steel last week gained
fractionally, moving to 446 per cent
of capacity from A per cent, and the
outlook for this week was for opera
tions continuing around the present
basis.
Most adverse development was the
downturn during the week ended April
81 in electric power production. The
output of l,701 ,945, 900 kilowatt hours
was II per cent above the same week
of 1884. but well below the total OF
the previous week.
Some quarters attributed the snow
ing to curtailment of textile manu1ac-
turing activities, but changes from the
previous year in New England and the
South were about the same as for
other sections.
Reports on retail trade from the
larger centers were favorable for the
most part, although some Easte:A sec
tions contended gains over the 1884
season should have been greater.
With tapering of of Easter trade
demand, seasonal goods for Summer
use took the stage in confident man
ner. with wholesalers preparing Tor
good business volume.
Toledo Strike Followed.
The Toledo automobile strike Gre
ated widespread interest amnog IN
dustrialists who searched Tor inonca-
tions whether the trouble would
spread to other lines.
Silver swirled in response to po-
litical and economic pushing and
pulling, with the world price and the
Treasury price for domestic metal
racing up and down the scale. Little
effect was noted in the United States
aside from metal interests.
Detailed reports from Federal Re-
serve districts for last week follow:
BOSTON-Two basic New England
industries suffered diminished busi-
ness. Demand for wool fell but de-
liveries on old contracts kept mills
occupied. A seasonal reduction in
cotton cloth demand was in evidence,
and a number of mills closed. The
leather market, however, reported
decisive revival in demand for Fall
requirements.
NEW YORK-Retail trade in the
New York metropolitan area was
spotty. The number of out-of-town
buyers was greater than the previous
week but well below a year ago, but
recorders from the consumers goods
trades held up favorably. Silver flat
wear prices were advanced 10 to Is
per cent on continued higher world
bar silver prices.
PHILADELPHIA-Fe business
lines showed more than moderate i'm
provement in the third district, but
an optimistic tone was apparent.
Staple merchandise, subject only to
minor seasonal influence, held about
even with 1884 levels.
CLEVELAND-A mixed business
trend was shown in the fourth dis
trict. Construction was reported re-
viving, particularly residential lines,
but scattered reports on retail trade
indicate an unsatisfactory condition.
Youngstown steel operations fell
points to 56 per cent of capacity and
Cleveland to 81 per cent.
Richmond Gains Shown.
RICHMOND-Retail trade in the
fifth district veered strongly upward.
Wholesalers reported depleted retail
inventories. Washington residential
building was described as strong.
ATLANTA-A 90 per cent increase
planned in Birmingham cement mill pro-
duction was dominant factor In sixth
sss s.nes dsmane nnsss for TTm sn soes gehE s
daction deciinsd slsstg 70 1a5 'sss' Per cent cent
o. esaRfcAGo-Ret.il saReiAleso trade in tn. chicaso
Der lie stimuas q aysFssle sesthes ses snd s
sSsas Il dsmaas Man res oldsP dPossa: basi
ness held up well, and improved weather
psns Sroaueon hs sans e1nsnnsd ss5 oS vS 3
ST ST. LoT1ERetsii trade in in the eirhth
aas oe 9s Su in IT sHo sd. sssy
iron W and steel industries td operated on AN an
.EeSn basis although s.ls change
%SNEPoE1soonsnaed ne6s heavy Spring
ralnfsi in the ninth district hsishtsRsd
factor. coupled with hisher srsir prices
has boosted sales Of farm equipment and
~ sSs Cent Ead Il Vas has r.pGned So
johbers and wholesalers In the Twin Cities