Evening star., 1936-07-05
Comment:

DAb4 41NlotOc.-tlcIdn CTdQe IIldQe a
further gain during the week, sales
rising Is to Is per cent over the 1885
total. Practically all Summer lines
shared in upward movement. Whole
sale markets active, with Fall buying
off to good start. Industrial opera
tions increased moderately. contrary
to seasonal trend. Employment up
about 5 per cent from last years
total.
CHICAGO.-Heat wave stimulated
retail buying so strongly that short
age developed in some Summer goods.
Sales advanced 18 to 20 per cent over
1885 comparative. Despite drop in
orders from drought districts and
graSShopper-infeSted areas, wholesale
volume. reached a new six-year high
for period. Steel rate unchanged at
II per cent of capacity. Industrial
employment edged upwards.
CLEVELAND.-Alth spending
of bonus money still was restricted,
retail sales went 10 to IL per cent
ahead of last year Wholesale orders
down for week due to growing severity
of drought; estimated crop yield under
10-year average. Steel rate continued
at 81 per cent of capacity, highest for
period since 1880. Interest rates on
bank deposits reduced l. per cent
starting July l.
Observation-Disclosures activity about
at previous weeks high level, despite
reduction in automobile assemblies to
99,695 from 100,733 units: 1885 COM
parative output 1907 units. June re-
tail automobile sales increased over
May total of 405 900. Bonus money
and ideal shopping weather advanced
retail sales II to IS per cent over last
year. Wholesale volume up 18 to 20
per cent.
INDIANAPOLIS S-Retail sales about
even with the preceding week. but
last years total was exceeded by 10 to
Is per cent. Wholesale orders up 8 to
II per cent for week and 20 to 25 per
cent from 1885 period, with hardware
leading. June automobile sales largest
for any month since 1929 Lack of
rain detrimental to all crops. Indus
trial operations continued active.
KANSAS CITY.-DeSpite the hot
weather, retail sales expanded mod
erately during the week. going 5 to 8
per cent over 1885 total. Recorders
for Summer goods and more Fall buy
ing lifted wholesale volume Is to 20
per cent over last year Only small
damage from drought in this district;
rain needed urgently in Western Kan
sas. Wheat receipts heavy; prices
higher than last Summer.
LOUISVILLE. - Favorable weather
weather and veterans bonus cash
combined to raise weeks retail sales to
one of the largest since 1880. Chief
gains in new and used automobiles,
furniture, radios, and household ap-
plianceS. Sharp revival in Summer
apparel demand. Fall wholesale buy
ing well under way. Crops in most
sections in good shape; hot weather
reduced yields of some products.
PIITSBURGH.-Ste operations re-
duced to 64 per cent of capacity from
81 for the two preceding weeks; the
comparative 1888 rate was at 80 per
cent. Tin plate mills practically at
capacity. Index of business activity
at 81 per cent Of normal, the best
weekly level in IS months Moderate
drop left retail sales 10 to Is per cent
ahead of last year.
ST. LOUIS.-SlowneSs in cashing
bonus bonds prevented immediate re-
lease of money into business, but re-
tail sales were up 3 to per cent for
week and to II per cent from year
ago. Wholesale volume 10 to Is per
cent over 1885. Automobile sales
close to high for year Industrial
operations above comparative 1885
level By 20 to 25 per cent Further
improvement in building activity
TOLEDO.-Despite recent curtail-
ment, production in automotive in
dustry IS to 20 per cent larger than
during comparative first half of 1885.
Machine. die and tool shops near ca
pacity. Retail sales up Is per cent
for week to better 1885 total by 20 to
25 per cent. Wholesale volume 6 to
10 per cent ahead of last year. Lug
gage wholesalers booking best busi-
ness since 1929.
YOUNGSTOWN. - Distribution of
bonus checks helped to broaden retail
sales to per cent for week and
Is to 18 per cent over 1885 compara-
tive. Less than seasonal decline in
operations. Steel pro-
duction off 2 point to II per cent of
which compared with 80 in
1885, with SO in 1884, with Sc in 1888,
and with 81 per cent of capacity for
the corresponding 1888 week.