Evening star., 1935-09-22
Movement of Merchandise
Hits Best Mark Since
November, 1881.
L0ADINGS TOP 100000
OR PROFIT-LOSS POINT
Increased Production at Cotton
and Wool Textile Centers
Hailed by Observers.
BY RAIDER WINGET,

a fast pace last week, and industrial
operations were we'll maintained, with
the movement of merchandise to pro-
duction and consuming centers reach
ing the best levels since November of
1881.
Reports on retail and wholesale
trade from almost all sections Of the
Nation indicated substantial advance
ment. Warm weather cut volume in
a few centers, but the development
was regarded as temporary.
For the first time in nearly four
years freight carloadings reported by
class / railroads passed the 100000
mark, level looked upon as the
dividing line between profit and loss
if maintained over a reasonable period.
Loadings we're 7O0,357 cars for the
week ended September IA, compared
with 592,786 for the previous week,
which included the Labor day holiday.
Increased production in cotton and
wool texture centerS was noted by OBJ
servers, and the Associated Press index
of cotton manufacturing activity was
874. against 862 for the previous
week
Consistent Progress Seen.
The Department of Commerce in its
survey of "a key cities for the week
ended Wednesday declared: Retail
and wholesale trade maintained con-
sistent progress in all sections Of the
country.
Stimulated by good Fall shopping
weather, all lines of retail trade were
reported moving into greater volume,
with wearing apparel taking the lead
However, the buying of furniture,
rugs and other household equipment
continued in large volume
Wholesale trade followed the gen.
eral trends of retail"
In the large wholesale centers mer-
chandisers asserted recorders of mate
rial from most sections continued
higher, and Middle Western represen-
tatives were heartened by advancing
wheat prices.
Automobile manufacturers con-
tinued to lower production levels in
preparation for 1886 models to be in
troduced within a few weeks.
Despite the drop in demand for
steel from that source and the lower
takings by tin plate manufacturers,
operations in the steel industry held
to a decline of only IA percentage
points at 48.3 per cent OF capacity.
Rail Needs Studied.
Those in the steel trade said the
strength was evidence of growing de-
mand from miscellaneous sources. and
some sighted the placing Of railroad
equipment orders on the evidence of
sharply higher carloadings.
Most bulliSh announcement of the
week was that of the United States
Steel Corp. giving details of its pro-
jected $140,OOO,OO0 expansion pro-
gram.
For the first time in many months,
there were individual reports from
scattered parts of the country of SUBJ
stantial increases IN employment re-
sulting from the general expansion of
| business. Some increases, however,
were of a seasonal nature.
Coincident with higher wheat mar
ket prices, metals reached upward in
price. Opinion was divided on
whether the advance was caused by
war reports" or came as a result of
better business.
Importers in New York reported a
new forward surge in their line, an
general improvement since the de-
preston.
A survey of the machine tool indus
try showed August business at 1858
per cent of the 1926 average level, the
best month since 1929 and "a per
cent higher than the corresponding
period of 1894.
Individual Reports Given.
Individual reports from Federal Re-
serve districts follow:
BOSTON.-The cotton goods mar
ket in New England was encouraged
by heavy sales of staple goods and
firm prices. Sales in some lines
equaled production. The demand for
wool was characterized as slower al
though up to an average week in
volume. Hides, skins and their semi
manufacturers continued to advance
NEW YORK.-Retail trade was
brisk in the metropolitan area at a
level 10 to IL per cent over the same
period of 1884, and dry goods sales
we're the best of the year. Orders to
wholesalers from other centers were
higher in most lines. Steel operations
in Buffalo we're up percentage points
at 81 per cent of capacity.
PHILADELPHIA. - Retail trade
moved into new high ground on top
of new gains during the first week of
September. Department store sales
during September lis were about 20
per cent over the 1884 period. Cool
weather was factor in quick-ended
demand for Fall merchandise.
CLEVELAND-The Department of
Commerce said Cleveland retail saIts
for the last three weeks nave been =:
to Is per cent ahead of last year, az
industrial activity continued during
the week because of production of
materials for automobile makers.
Richmond Reports Activity.
RICHMOND-Decla by
hosiery official that the industry is
simply overwhelmed with business"
led indications of substantial indus
trial improvement in the fifth dis
trict. Baltimore reported Screp steel
plants at capacity and Washington
retail trade pushed steadily upward.
CHICAGO-ReportS on industrial ae-
tivity were favorable. Several large manu-
tions held steady The pig iron and conU
business was strong. with advance buying
in the first half of September estimated
at double that Of the corresponding period
Of March,