Evening star., 1943-10-10
Business Briefs

Earliest Christmas Buying in Years
has been touched of by the Novem-
Der 80 deadline for mailing of pack
ages to servicemen overseas, mer-
chants reported. Shoppers also are
purchasing toys, some wearing ap-
parel and luxury items such as
jewelry, furs and novelties, with an
increasing emphasis on quality.
Stores hope to spread buying over a
longer period because of manpower
shortages, according to the National
Retail Dry Goods Association, which
reported Washington was among
cities facing the worst shortages.
More Textiles Will Be Needed by
the Government. New York trade
circles said Federal requirements
have been revised upwards to be-
tween 800 and 400 million yards
covering delivery for the first half Of
1914. An extremely tight civilian
market situation Is expected to pre-
vail.
Crude Oil Stocks on October Z
totaled 234 ,643 900 barrels, a gain Of
665,0O0 from q week earlier, the
Bureau of Mines reported. Domestic
crude increased 671 900 barrels, while
foreign decreased 5000.
Another Steel Production Record
was set in September when 7,488 ,978
tons were turned out, the American
Iron 81 Steel Institute announced.
The weekly average was 1,749. .76l,
compared with the previous peak of
l,73l ,419 week in March this wear.
Who Wants Some Eggs? More
than 100000 dozen stored by the
Government at Newark, Jersey CITY,
New York City, Philadelphia, Scran-
ton, Baltimore and Washington have
been released for civilian consump-
ton. Bids are being received by
the VIA region, Office at $50 Broa d.
way, New York, on an offer and
acceptance basis, t. o. b. the storage
point and subject to Government
grading.
Lend-Lease Pork Purchases have
been cut sharply. In July they to-
tailed 49,659,000 pounds, in August,
21,461 900, and from September
to l8 aggregated only 9,710,0O0. The
years peak came in May when pur-
chases of canned pork alone totaled
13l ,440 900 pounds.
Ceilings on Duck Prices, both at
wholesale and retail, have been fixed
by the Maryland OPA office because
OF heavy demand arising from the
armed forces turkey requirements.
Retail ceilings are 33 cents a pound
live, IS cents dressed and 40 cents
drawn. Wholesale ceilings are 26s.
live, 20 dressed. 40l2 drawn.
Relief for Millers Nav Be Neres-
sary. with wheat prices pressing
against their theoretical ceilings,
Cnlcago experts said Millers must
buy wheat in market where actual
ceilings do not exist and sell -four
under OPA maximums. Advancing
prices have left little profit margin.
5. S. Krege Co. earnings in the
first eight months of this year we're
slightly above year ago, but ability
OF the company to build up stocks
for heavy December buying will de-
termine whether profits for the full
year will equal the 1912 net of ST.
982 ,28l or $l45 share. Like other
retailers, the firm is finding it diff
cult to get merchandise, and strong
demand, which lifted eight months
sales $50 above year ago. is limit
ing accumulation of inventory.
New York Telephone Co. earned
S2,l24,923 in August, compared with
s2,6l3855 in August. 1912 For eight
months. net was sl8326,O67 agains,
sl6,4l0,6l7 a year ago.
Columbia Gas & Electric Corp. re-
ported consolidated gross earnings
of s132, 1884 in II months ended
August 81, a gain of go over the
preceding year. Net earnings were
estimated at 80 cents common
share, compared with l6 cents in the
previous II months.
Northeast Airlines, Inc, has pur-
chased assets of Mayf1ower Airlines
Inc, subject to CAB approval.
F. w. Woolworth Co. reported
September sales of s33 .405 1873 against
s33 .846 $50 year ago, drop of 1.3o,
Sales in the first months of 1o43
totaled s30l 6594l0 against s2s4.-
125, ,662 year ago. gain of 6.2c,.
Walgren Co. sales In September
totaled s9,l85 1882 against s8.467.215
in September. 1912 a gain of 8.5rc.
while sales in nine months aggre-
gated s82075,773 against s71,l25,375
a year ago, an increase of l54re.
Baltimore & Ohio e. Chicago Rail-
road Co, subsidiary of the B. e. o
Railroad, asked ICC authority for
its Indiana company division to ac-
quire property and franchises Of the
Illinois company division. 1t also
sought authority to issue to the
B. Il o. Railroad 2,04O shares of
capital stock with a total par value
Of 100000 in connection with the
transaction.
Wells Fargo Bank & Union Trust
Co. directors elected I. w. Hellman
III president to succeed the late
R. B, Motherwell. Mr.. Hellman il
on leave. serving as captain in the
Army Air Corps. Until his return
his duties will be carried on by Frank