Evening star., 1937-02-21
D. c. STORE SALES.
Up 12,8 PER CENT
FROM WEEK AGO
Volume Also 21.1 Per Cent
Above 1886 Mark as
Weather Improves.
CLEARINGS ALSO SHOW
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE
Weeks Total Is $24,422,483,
Against $23, ,634,79 in
Previous Period.
BY EDWARD C. STONE.

Previous Period.
BY EDWARD c. STONE.
Better weather gave a substantial
boost to retail trade in Washington
during the past week, when depart
ment store sales were 1913 per cent
higher than in the previous week and
I'll per cent above the corresponding
week last year. Trade In the whole
nth Reserve district improved.
The Department of Commerce re-
ported yesterday that bank clearings
In the Capital totaled $24,422 483,
compared with $23,634, ,79O in the pre-
vious week and only s18,677, ,236 in the
same week in 1896. The value of
building permits issued during the
week was S645,600, against s457,s00
In the previous week and S678,500 a
year ago. Tourist business increased.
The early date of Easter and
the general betterment of business
throughout the rest of the fifth dis
trict were reflected in an increased
volume of retail sales. Wholesalers
reported tendency on the part of
merchants to buy their goods some
what in advance of actual needs be-
cause of anticipated further advances
In prices.
Norfolk and Richmond reported
sharp advances in bank debts. Bal
timore stated that the mild Winter
has slowed up the movement of heavy
goods; the demand for rubber foot
wear. however, has been very heavy
In recent weeks. Baltimore bank
clearings remained well ahead of last
year.
Business was particularly active in
the southern part of the fifth dis
trict, Charleston, S. c., reporting a
20 per cent pickup. Wholesale gro
cery sales jumped Is per cent over
last year and bank clearings in about
the same proportion. Schedule flights
between the United States and Ber-
muda, with Charleston as an i'm
portant port, will start within 30
days. The State now has more than
$500 workers employed on Ill differ
ent highway projects.
d. c. Exchange Prices Firm.
Prices closed strong on the WASH
angton Stock Exchange yesterday.
ending q week Of unusually busy
trading. Among the weeks final sales
were two $1,000 transfers in Anacos-
tia g. Potomac r. r. guaranteed IS
at 111A.
The second sale was in Lanston
Monotype stock, 80 shares changing
hands at the strong price of 95. Capt.
tai Transit figured in several small
lot sales, opening with a 25-share
turnover at 1914. The weeks closing
sale was recorded at 1875. The COM
pany's annual meeting and the jan
uary report are due shortly.
Washington Gas SIS, 1860, which
have appeared on the board quite
often recently, came out yesterday on
q $4,000 turnover at 124. The last
sale of the session was in Potomac
Electric Power 5h per cent preferred
stock at 1871.
Both the Washington and New
York Stock Exchanges will observe the
holiday tomorrow and be closed. The
banks here will also take the day off.
Bank Women to Celebrate.
The Bank Women's Club of Wash
ington will be 10 years old next
Thursday, February IS, an elaborate
celebration Of this event being al
ready planned. Recent admission to
the club of Mrs. Edythe Vollmer Of
the McLachlen Banking Corp.
brought the membership up to g.
woman bankers. There were Is char
ter members.
The five past presidents of the Club
are Miss Lois M. White, Miss Mary
Jane Winfree, Mrs Mabel Royce
Iantz, Mrs. Judith Firhburn Buck and
Miss Alace Whitton. Mrs. Constance
Fogle Jones is president this year and
will preside at the coming festivities
this week. The clubs big aim is to
look after the interests of all women
engaged in banking, but the social
side Of the organization Is not neg
lected.
Dollars And Sense, edited by A. E.
Henze and published by Washington
Chapter, American Institute of Bank
ing, appeared in the financial dis
trict yesterday Much of it is devoted
10 the institutes annual banquet, but
all other chapter activities are well
covered. The issue includes special
tributes to the late William B. Hibbs
and the late Karl w. Corby, excellent
pictures being included with the me-
MORALS.
Financial District Notes.
The February meeting Of the safe
deposit section of the District Bank
ers' Association will take place
Wednesday evening in the board room
of the American Security & Trust
Go. Several matters Of special in
terest are to be discussed.
Recommendation looking to the
modification Of the surtax upon un-
distributed corporate profits are pre-
sented in q report of q special COM
mittee issued yesterday by the United
States Chamber Of Commerce.
North American stockholders in
the Capital were much pleased with
the 30-cent dividend. While there
have been various extras, the regular
rate recently has been Is cents
share.