Imperial Valley press., 1936-08-05

Tor July as compared with 919
in June and 1913 a year ago.
Retail trade was slightly lower
IN volume than in June but re-
mained above all previous months
of recent years Automobile sales,
although below the record June
showing, continued to hold the
leading position in the recovery
movement. As in the eastern states,
the spectacular performance Of
the automobile industry has played
a vital part in the business up
swing this year. Other local in
dustries continued during July to
operate at the active rates Of pre-
vious months. Steel mills have not
experienced the usual summer
slump; in fact, certain Of the larg-
er plants are nov operating at
capacity. Building material con-
Germs likewise are very active. The
building industry showed further
expansion during the month with
the primary impetus coming from
the Los Angeles school program
which is now getting into full
swing. August will mark the peak
of Inauguration of actual construc-
ton work On the new projects.
Drouth Aids Coast
In keeping with the old saying.
IT'S an i'll wind that blows nobody
good, the severe drouth in the
middle western states is bringing
to California farmers Unexpectedly
large returns fer their 1896 crops
During the past two months bar
ley has advanced from 5000 to
S1.45 per hundradweight, cotton
from S01l75 to S0.1325 per pound,
eggs from p to % cents, butter
from 80 to 81 cents, oranges from
$3.50 to almost $500 per box, etc.
With but few exceptions prices
on California farm products are
higher now than was expected
earlier in the season. Since Cali
fornia is one OF the most import
ant agricultural states and sells
more food products to other areas
than it buys in their markets, ris-
ing farm product prices directly
increase the total income Of this
region.
Southern California crops are
generally good this season. The
Imperial Valley has experienced
one of the most successful melon
seasons in years. Hot weather in
the principal consuming areas, to-
gether with short crop Of COM
peting eastern fruits, has favored
valencia oranges of which there
is a normal yield. The largest
cotton crop in California history
is in prospect. The livestock areas
Of the State are carrying unusually
large numbers of cattle. The can
ned fruit and vegetable industry
is favored by short crops in other
areas. In brief, there is every
reason to expect that the 1886
farm income of this region will
be the largest since 1880.
New automobile sales, according
to preliminary reports, exceeded
$1,000 units in Southern California
during July. Although below the
record June total of 1879 cars,
the July showing was the largest
for that month with the exception
of 1929.
Factory Expansion
Expansion of manufacturing ia
cilities in the Los Angeles area
proceeded during July. Most i'm
portant additions announced or
under construction are in the au-
tomobile, automobile parts, air
craft, motion picture and food
industries. Work has started on
a new Studebaker body plant in
the Central Manufacturing Dis
trict, a unit which will employ 200
men. In the same area, a large
cooperative grocery organization,
Certified Grocers of California, is
adding to its warehouse facilities.
The Samson Division of the United
States Rubber Company has an
nounced plans to increase plant