Evening star., 1939-08-13

lures in a manner that differentiates
1t from industrial activity over the
Nation. And that is, it cannot too
strongly be stressed, the fact that
the chief products are goods which
are quickly consumed, and above
that phenomenon is the point al
ready made that these goods are
essentially all for the local market.
Further Gains Forecast.
In bringing this series on WASH
1ngton business conditions to a
close, one may we'll ask: What
about the remainder of 1899? What
are the nearby prospects in con-
struction, in retail trade, for the
automotive lines, and even in manu.
featuring?
Take look at construction. Here
the volume of new work being
started in the last six months ap-
pears certain to exceed, by at least
Is per cent, the total of about
SIG, 900 900 reported for the District
in the corresponding period of last
year. And it must be remembered
that this is on top of an increase
in excess of 100 per cent for the first
half OF the year as contrasted with
the corresponding period Of 1898.
Incidentally, only in two other
first-half periods-and these solely
IN the latter 1920's-has the volume
OF construction awards here been
greater than the total of approxi-
mately $48, ,000, 900 shown during the
first half of the current year.
Add to the prospects for the Dis
trict those for nearby Virginia and
Maryland and the construction per-
formance for the metropolitan
area as q whole during the final
half Of 1899 will come close to
shattering all previous records for
comparable periods. Yet there is a
gathering cloud of longer range
concern.
Thus far but symptom, recent
strikes in local building trades may
well mark the beginning Of the final
phase Of the upward swing OF the
construction cycle, especially as to
private residential operations. AS in
the past. this final phase, some time
after the spring of 1910, may well be
characterized by periodsof hesitancy,
interruption and ultimate reversal.
Retail Trade Outlook Bright.
Notwithstanding the implications
OF the longer range, retail trade
continues to have bright immediate
prospects. For unless signs mean
nothing, Washington department
store trade during the final half
Of 1899 will bulk larger than in
any similar half-year period, ex-
ceeding even the dollar volume re-
corded in the final half of 1897.
More, there Is ample reason for
stating that the Christmas volume
on a quantitative or physical basis,
will be the highest on record, If not
on a dollar basis as we'll.
Nor should it occasion surprise
II local department stores enjoy a
trade volume during the final six
months as whole that will have
exceeded by as much as 10 per cent
the dollar volume reported in the
final half Of last year.
Probably the greatest increases
will occur in hard lines, such as
rugs and floor coverings, furniture,
home furnishings, and equipment,
this because of the going high rate
Of residential building activity.
But even soft lines, such as piece
goods, apparel, mems furnishings
and the like, promise to show sub
stantial increases over last year
during the remaining months of
1899.
On a percentage basis, sports
wear and sporting goods will out
perform most other lines of soft
goods, evidencing further the un-
abating interest in sports activity
and a continuing demand for
clothes and equipment for partici-
pants as well as spectators.
Favorable Collections Likely.
The current high rate of collec-
tions to outstanding credit will no
doubt be maintained over the bal
ance Of the year; and chiefly be-
cause of low inventories and mount
ing demand, whatever price changes
may occur will more likely be on