Evening star., 1939-09-07
Rush 10 Fill Shelves
For War Period
Brings Confusion

Consumers as Well as
Manufacturers Buy
Needed Staples
By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Sept. IA rush by
consumers and manufacturers to
stock shelves for wartime filled busi-
ness books with large orders today
and left firms in many lines strug-
Cling to meet the demand amid con-
fusion over prices.
Foodstuffs, textiles, steel and nu-
merous miscellaneous products felt
the full force of the buying from
raw materials to semifinished and
finished markets.
The outbreak of war caught busi-
ness generally with reduced inven-
tories after months of hesitant buy
ing, although supplies OF grains, cot
ton and numerous industrial ma
terials were large. This partly an
counted for the violence of the up
surge in sensitive prices, some an
alysts said
Dun & Bradstreet, Inc, announc-
ing results of midyear inventory
survey, said the cautious spirit OF
business in the first half OF the year
was indicated by decrease OF 1.3
per cent in supplies held by manu-
facturers. Retail stocks, the agency
reported, increased 5 per cent from
January to July !, while whole
sale inventories were up only 2.8
per cent.
Withhold Prices.
Professors and manufacturers in
some lines have refrained from quot
ing prices to wholesalers until the
basic markets settle. Hence the full
effects of the buying sweep were not
yet visible.
A survey of conditions showed the
following highlights:
Cotton goods-More than 300 000,-
900 yards estimated to have been
sold this week in Worth street,
textile trading center. at advancing
prices; some heavy industrial cloths
boosted u to cent yard.
Steel-Export and domestic de-
mand stimulated by the war news;
prices uncertain, with consumers
waiting for announcement Of fourth
quarter prices to reveal results of
the war boom in metals.
Canned goods-Packers of fruits
raised prices to distributors S to 7ia
cents a dozen; quotations in some
lines withdrawn, including Chicago
packed meats.
Sugar-Flow of refined sugar into
consuming channels last two days
described in trade quarters as largest
on record to meet chiefly demand of
housewives; prices up sharply.
Woolen goods-Mills withhold
offerings on jump in raw material
market
Rayon Orders Placed.
Rayon-Active forward ordering;
Textile Economics Bureau forecast
expanded demand with higher
prices if war is prolonged, but noted
record domestic cotton supply may
prevent material" price boosts in
that division.
Observation-Disclosures reported
to have laid by larger stocks of the
crude material the last few days;
the Rubber Manufacturers Associa-
ton said "advices from reliable
sources indicate adequate supply
will continue to be shipped"
Clothing-Retailers sped orders
for fall and winter goods to avoid
price changes; spring clothing mar
ket opening next month expected to
reflect higher raw material costs.
Export trade-Cancellations Of
European orders said to have been
more than Offset by heavier demand
from Latin America for foods, drugs,
chemicals and many kinds OF con-
sumers goods.
Machines-The Iron Age said
manufacturers Of automobiles, ma
chine tools and similar products
were looking to Canada. South
America and Japan for larger mar
kets while disruption of Atlantic
shipping created problems of reach
ing the European market The pub
hcation added steel mills were in
position to step up production much
faster than in 1914 or 1918.
Advertising Gains Forecast.
Advertising - Predicting business
upturn in United States. L. D. H.
Weld, director of research. McCann-
Erickson, Inc, recalls advertising
lineage joined World Ward business
rise after the initial shock.
Building-Thomas S. Holden, vice
president of the F. w. Dodge Corp,
a noted building authority, said war
rather than retard private construc-
ton, may even act somewhat as a
stimulant."
Steel scrap-Prices in Pittsburgh
area for No. heavy melting scrap
reported in trade sources to have
reached $3.50 to SIT a ton, with
holders reluctant to sell. Lack of
ships may impede flow to Europe,
while unfinished products get
precedence.
Shoes and Observation-Disclosures
ers mark time waiting for price sit
uation to clear; shoe and leather
prices may be advanced if higher
raw material markets hold.
Tires-Boost in crude rubber and
other materials puts dealers on alert
for announcement of prices on lines
for coming season, due to start
! around November /.
Observation-Disclosures prices re-
main unchanged as manufacturers
wait for market conditions to
settle.
Automobiles-Two manufacturers
announced lower prices. on 1910
models; Joseph w. Frazer, president
of ys-Overland Motors, Inc,
said he expected larger export
l l.