Evening star., 1940-03-07
D. {. Auto Sales
Top January Gain
For Fifth District
Building Slows Up
But Bank Review
Shows Other Upturns
BY EDWARD C. STONE.

dIlu UuSlIlcSS COIlulIlOIlS JuSC re-
ceived here from the Reserve Bank
of Richmond. The automobile situa-
ton is in marked contrast with con-
struction which experienced sharp
setback, partly due to unusually
rough weather.
New passenger car registrations
In Washington numbered l,730 in
January against 1882 in January,
1899, an increase of IS per cent.
Sales in Maryland totaled 3,346 cars,
also an increase of IS per cent,
while Virginia sales reached 1897
new cars, gain of % per cent
Sales in the whole fifth district
stepped up % per cent, on sales of
1850 cars against 1911 a year
ago.
Sales by manufacturers to dealers
In the fifth district in January set
a new record for that month, the
Richmond bank says, and indicate
that dealer stocks increased moder-
ately. Stocks of used cars also
rose during January but not more
than the seasonal average. Plans
made by manufacturers for the
spring are based upon expectations
of continuation of sales sub
stantially exceeding those of 1899,
the review adds.
Capital Leads in Permits.
Construction slowed in January,
severe weather keeping down per-
mits. Thirty-one cities issued per-
mits totaling $4,987 $3.50, drop of
81 per cent below permits amount
ing to $10,266,S93 in January. 1899,
and per cent below December.
Washington led in January, 1910,
permits with s1,4l3.255, followed by
Columbia with S726,l52 and Balti-
more with S557.682. Only eight of
the 81 cities reported higher figures
than in January, 1889.
Contracts actually awarded in the
fifth district in January, accord
ing to the Dodge reports, totaled
$22016,000, compared with $25,6l3.-
600 for January, 1899, off IA per cent.
Contracts awarded in the District
of Columbia totaled $3.50 900,
against $3,583,O00 in January, 1899,
drop of % per cent. Maryland
contracts reached s6,319 900, down 9
per cent; Virginia awards amounted
to 5,163,000 in January, an increase
of per cent; while the total for
the fifth district stood at S22,016,0OO,
which was IA per cent lower than
year ago.
Debts Higher in Capital.
Bank funds were more active
than in January year ago, Dis
trict of Columbia debts to individ-
ual accounts totaling 1921 OFT 900,
compared with $258 ,068, 900 in Janu-
ary, 1899, a stepping up of 9 per
cent. Debts for the whole fifth dis
trict totaled 81 1881 ,4l6, 900, up 13 per
cent.
Loans made by Al reporting mem
Der banks increased slightly between
January II and February Ia, but
investments in securities declined
about the same amount. Both de-
mand and time deposits rose during
the four weeks and reserve balances
increased at the reserve bank.
Business failures increased In
January over December, as they
nearly always do, but declined Is
per cent from the number of in
solvencies reported in January last
year.
Dollar Retail Sales Climb.
Sales in 81 department stores in
the fifth district in January totaled
S7218,855 against $6,604159 in jan
uary. 1899, an increase of 9 per cent.
Sales in 80 furniture stores in the
territory amounted to 1922 $50 in
January this year compared with
$685. 5,203. in January, 1889, an ad-
vance of 8 per cent.
Sales of 1874 wholesale firms in
the fifth district reached $685.
900 against $9.085,OO0 a year ago,
another gain of 8 per cent, the re-
port says.
There was some seasonal reduc-
ton in employment from Decem-
ber A drop of IA per cent in the
number on pay rolls was recorded
in Washington in January and 8
per cent in the amount of pay
rolls. Release of extra holiday
workers, closing of tobacco markets
in some cities and bad weather,
which practically stopped certain
construction work, accounted for
the lower January figures, the Rich
mond bank concludes.
Joins Advertising Concern.
Effective today, Miss Ada Lillian
Bush became vice president of R.
j. A. Mclaughlin & Associates, ad-
vertising agency. with headquar-
ters in the Southern Building, ac-
cording to an announcement by
r. j. A. Mclaughlin. Miss Bush,
known as a business conSultant on
merchandising problems. was con-
nected with the Commerce Depart
ment when Herbert Hoover was sec
retary and has served continuously
in the Bureau of Foreign and Do
mestic Commerce through all sub
sequent administrative changes.
Washington Gas Co. Exempt.
The Washington Gas Light Co. is
exempt from the provisions of the
Public Utility Holding Company Act
of 1885, according to ruling just
issued by the Securities and Ex-
change Commission after extended
hearings. Such exemption is not
detrimental to the public interest or
that of investors or consumers, the
order says.
Application for exemption was
made because of the following sub
sidiaries: Washington Gas Co. Of
Montgomery County, Md; Rosslyn
Gas Co.. Washington Suburban Gas
Co., Alexandria Gas Co. and Prince
Georges Gas Corp No securities of
the subsidiaries are in the hands of
the public. the S. E. c. states.
Heard in Financial District.
Robert v. Fleming, president of
the Riggs National Bank, has re-
turned from short vacation passed
at Miami, Fla.
Mrs. Esther S. beavers of the