CHRISTMAS BUYING BARRAGE OPENED Mail Order and Chain Stores Feel First Effects—Trade Growing. 15V .1. HOYLE. fpectal IMsp.ueh to The Star. NEW YORK. November I.—The first guns of the Christmas buying campaign have been fired from the 1 mail order catalogues. The tarni communities have money to speua and’they have been sending in cheeks and money orders at a pace which in sures that tlie lending houses in the field will surpass their 11*2ii sales rec ords before January l, 11>2S. Owing to the rapid paeo at which both cotton and wheat have gore to market this year, the mail order buy ing has come earlier than usual. •• nd combined sales of tlie leaders in this field in the last six weeks have shown a gain of 13 to 15 per cent, as com pared with last year. These sales, however, are only the preliminary barrage which is preced ing the attack on the retail counters. Chain stores have been the next to benefit, and it is now conservatively I estimated that their sales in general will exceed those of 3 92t> by 10 to 15 per cent. The department stores up to October had difficulty in keeping nales totals within teaching distance of those of the previous year, but the spurt in the next two months seems likely to merest ban make up for this early slackness. Adequate Sales Forces. The department stores were handi capped during the Spring and Sum mer by adverse weather conditions, hut tne principal factor which dis turbs them now is the problem of ade quate sales forces. Not all of the de partment stores and chains are firmly intrenched behind their stocks, how ever. The general level of prices is somewhat lower than a year ago, and the margin of profit has had to be made up in saving of, costs and more efficient distribution. There is no question that retail sales forces have failed to improve in the same ratio as has been the case with industrial personnel. There are continued reports of surplus white collar workers, but they are not the right type of white coliar workers. There is an insistent demand for cour teous, intelligent, efficient salesmen and women, and the supply is so small that many executives are having to develop or “grow' - ’ their own sales people. The personal touch is seemingly a necessary element to adequate dis tribution. At least mail order houses, which have been supposed to derive much advantage from the fact that they had no salesmen, have found it expedient to establish retail stores and many are employing the equivalent of traveling salesmen to place their cata logues with prospective customers, ac cording to I)r. Julius Klein of the De partment of Commerce. It cannot be overlooked, as Magnus TV. Alexander, president of the Na tional Industrial Conference Board, has pointed out, that the present pros perity has been attended by steadily increasing competition. This has meant steady narrowing profit mar gins. Notwithstanding this fact, the cases in which goods are being offered at cost or less than cost merely to at tract customers to a store are growing steadily smaller There has" been a 1 sharp decline in bargain sales. Wtifc* Earners Benefited. Wage earners have benefited by this Blr.ce the demand for intelligent serv Ice has gone up while prices for the necessities have gone down. The work era average weekly earnings today measured bv what it costs him to live are more than a third larger than they were before the war. according to J. H. Frieda!, labor expert. And with competition Increasing and profl' ratio* declining, savings of small costs hvz increasing in importance. The banker* of the country who are In closest touch with the retail sit tuition are optimistic In general. One great banking company reports m*r chandise Is moving rapidly through channels of distribution. Sales of 553 department stores in the last month Were almost equal to those of a year earlier. The bankers hold that in the face of favorable trade reports and high levels of employment and buying power, there seems no indication o prolonged or violent decline in bu*i Peas. TIXE PRICES CUT NEW' YORK. November 1 UP). — Firestone Tire A Rubber Co. has re duced prices on high pressure and balloon casings 5 per cent In addi tion to the 5 per cent trade discount recently given to dealers. Other manu facturers, who made the trade dis count, are expected to meet the lat est price cut. EXPRESS EARNINGS. NEW YORK. November 1 UP).— Net Income of American Railway Express Co. for the first seven months this year was $1,268,514 against $1,296,587 in the same period of 1926. BUTTE COPPER PROFIT. NEW YORK, November 1 UP).— Butte Copper & Zinc earned 9 cent* a share in nine months this year, against 22 cents a share in the same period of 1926. EIGHT BUS FIRMS FORMED. NEW YORK, November 1 UP). — Eighteen new bus lines were put into operation in October and eight were Incorporated. The longest of the new lines is from Ft. Louis to Indianapolis, Bus Transportation reports. The month’s largest order was placed by th« Cleveland Railway Co. for 40 busses of the street car type. —— ■ - Speedy Relief From Bunions —Soft Corns I I! No sensible person will continue; to suffer from those intense, agon-i 1 izing, throbbing bunion pains when ] the new. powerful, penetrating, yet 1 harmless antiseptic, Emerald Oil,! can readily be obtained at any well stocked drug store. Apply a few drops over the in flamed part and see how speedily the pain disappears and the inflam mation is reduced. fio marvelously powerful is Emer ald Oil that soft corns seem to i shrive! right up and drop off. Peoples Drug Stores guarantee one bottle to give results and are; dispensing it to many foot suffer- j ers.— Advertisement. P GERMANS TO GET HELP OF FRENCH BRAKE ORDER 554.888.000 Will Be Spent by France i Equipping’ Freight Trains With Air Devices. Uy Die Associated fires* PARIS. November I.—An order for airbrakes for French railroads total ing 1.400,000,000 francs (about $54.* 888,0001 will be split equally between German and French manufacturers, it has been decided by the Reparations Commission. German deliveries will be made in the form of reparation payments. French industry in addition to the 700.000,000 francs order, will have the additional work of installation, esti mated at 260,000.000 francs. The order is the result of a decision several months ago to equip all French freight trains with airbrakes and to give part of the orders at least to German industry as part of her reparations payments in kind. WILL DISCUSS RATE. BALTIMORE, November 1 (Spe cial).— Local shippers interested in the Southwest will meet tomorrow at the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the recent revision of freight rates be tween Baltimore and other points in tho Middle Atlantic States and the Southwest, instituted by the Inter state Commerce Commission. The rate revision, it is asserted, will have a disturbing effect on Baltimore and Eastern manufacturers on the one hand and Middle Western and West ern manufacturers on the other. An appeal to the commission for recon sideration cf the rates will be dis cussed. CLEARINGS AT PEAK. NEW YORK. November 1 (/P).~ Bank clearings in San Francisco 'lur ing October set a new high recoid of 5930.500.000, which compares with the former record of $909,200,000. Decem ber. 1925. MONTGOMERY WARD. NEW YORK. November 1 UP).— October sales of Montgomery Ward & Co. rose to $21,567,455 from $20,154,626 in October last year, but for 10 months of 1927 were slightly under the same period last year—sls6,ol3 347, against $150,281,323. 0 . Every gallon of Standard” gamine youpour into your tank delivers a full gallon's worth of low cost mites AN*UNBEATABLE • POWER • TEAM f ★ * , Every quart of Standard” Motor Oil you pour into your crankcase makes those miles smooth and trouble-free “STANDARD” Motor Oil & Gasoline * t ■ . ■ ...•■■ : XJ f ' THE EVENING STAR, ’WASHINGTON, P. C„ TTTESPAY, NOVEMBER T, 1927. : TURKEYS ADVANCE; RABBITS ON SALE Poultry Market Flat and Craggy, and Prices Are ; Reported Lower. • Opening of the season this mnm- J mg for possession and sale of rab bits In the District brought many inquiries as to receipts and prospects later in the season. Only small shipments of rabbits were received this morning, but dealers were told that they probably will be more plentiful later in the season than usual. Most of the rabbits received this morning hud been trapped. They ' were fairly large and in splendid con dition. Wholesalers quoted a price of 60 cents for them, while retailers ( sold them at 75 and 85 cents, accord ■ ing to size and quality. 1 Heavy receipts of chickens made “ the poultry market flat and draggy ■ nnd prices were lower. Price of • Spring chickens, alive, dropped to 2" ‘ and 22 cents, while dressed stock sold 1 at 2S and 30 cents. ’ Turkey prices are gradually in • creasing as the Thanksgiving season 1 approaches. Live turkeys this morn ing were quoted at from 42 to 45 cents, dressed stock selling at 48 and 50 cents. Today’s Wholesale Prices. Butter—Fresh, 1-pound prints, 54; . tub, 5ia52; store packed. 30a31. Eggs—Fresh selected, 47a48; hen • nery, 55a60; current receipts, 15. ’ Poultry, alive Turkeys, 42a45; fowls, small and medium. 21a2 5; large. 25a26; Spring chickens, 20a22; roosters, 19; ducks, 18a20; keats, young, 70a75; old, 35. Dressed—Turkeys, 48a50; Spring chickens, 28a30; roosters, 2la 23; k ducks, 18a20; capons, fancy, heavy, : 38a49; smaller. 35; ducks, 25; keats. i 80a 90. • Meats fresh killed —Beef, 18a20; i veal, 25a27; lamb, 25a27; fresh ham, 23; loins, 26a28: shoulders, 21; smoked hams, 24a25; smoked shoul ders, 16a 18; strip bacon, 25; lard, 16 calves, 16; lambs, 13. Fruit and Vegetable Review. Today s market report on frulta and vegetables, compiled by tho Market News Service, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, says: Apples—Lupplies moderate; demand moderate, market steady; boxes, Washington, medium to large size extra fancy, Delicious, $4.00; Romes, 3.00; Jonathans, 3.00; fancy Winter bananas. 2.75; bushel baskets, Virginia unclassified, Yorks, 2Vi inches up, 1.25; United States No. 1, Yorks, - ,a inches up, few sales, 2.00; Staymans unclassified and Black Twigs, unclas sified, 2% inches, 1.50a1.i5. Cabbage Homegrown; supplies moderate; demand light, market slightly weaker; New sork, sacked per hundredweight, Danish type, I.ooa 1,15: few, 3.25. Celery-—Supplies moderate; demand moderate, maiket steady; New Yoik, % crates, mostly 2.00, few high as 2.25; ordinary quality and condition low as 1.50. _ , Grapes—Supplies of Eastern stock moderate; demand moderate; maiket firm; New York, 2-quart climax basket. Concords. 18c, few higher; supplies ot Western stock moderate; demand moderate; market firm: ; a ’ lugs Flame Tokays, 1.25a1.*>0, Malagas, 1.15a 1.26. „ A . . Lettuce— Supplies of Eastern stock light; demand moderate, market ' steady; New Jersey, 2-dozen crates Big Boston type. 3.25; supplies of Western stock moderate; demand mod erate, market steady: California, crates, Iceberg type, 4-5 dozen, 2.0,>a 3.00; few higher. Onions —Supplies light; demand mod erate, market about steady; New York and Ohio, 100-pound sacks, yel lows, U. S. No. 1, medium to large size, 1.75a 1.90. Potato Market Weaker. Potatoes —Supplies liberal; demand light, market slightly weaker; Idaho, 110-pound saeks, Rurals, 2.60a2.65; Michigan, 150-pound sacks, Russet Rurals, U, S. No. 1. 3.25a8.40; ordinary condition, 3.00; Pennsylvania, 150- pound sacks, round whites, U. S. No. 1, 3 00a3.15, String beans Supplies moderate; demand light, market slightly weaker; North Carolina, bushel hampers, green, stringless, wide range in prices, 3.50a2.25; few high as 2.50; Virginia, Norfolk section, Speck hampers, green, refugees, 2.25; few high as 2.50. Squash—Supplies light; demand light, market dull: Florida, pepper crates fancy wrapped, 5.00a3.26; few high as 3.50. Cucumbers—Supplies light, de mand slow, market steady; Florida, ~'a bushel hampers, wide range In prices, 3.50a5.00; choice. 2.50a8.0Q. Peppers—Supplies light: demand light, market weak; Florida, pepper crates fancy, few sales 1.00. Tomatoes—Supplies moderate; de mand moderate, market about steady; California, ripes wrapped, 2.00a2.25; Ohio. 10-pound basket, hothouse stock. 1.50a2.00. Cauliflower—Supplies light; de mand moderate, market firm; New York, Long Island, crates, 2.85a3.00. Commodity News KANSAS CITY, November I.—The demand for quality horses and mules is very good in this market and prices have advanced from $5 to $lO per head. ATLANTA.—Although the Georgia apple yield will amount to only 800,- 000 boxes, as against a normal pro duction of 2,000,000 boxes, the fruit for the first time is competing in the open markets against any in the United States. The average price is $1.75 to $3 f.o.b. orchards. Shipping will continue for 30 days. HELENA. Mont.—Montana’s three beet sugar factories now are In the midst of their slicing season. Produc tion of Montana beets is estimated at 315.000 tons or 12 tons to the acre planted. YOUNG STO W N.—A fair demand for butvveld tubes for building and general construction continues to make itself evident in this district. There is a falling off, however, in orders for lapweld pipe for the Southwestern oil fields. NEW ORLEANS.—The Standard Oil Co. of Louisiana has been award ed the contract for supplying all the United States Shipping Board steam ers which enter this port with 175,* 000 barrels of crude oil a month at $1.30 a barrel at terminal, or $1.85 on barges. — • NEW EXCHANGE LISTINGS. NEW YORK, November 1 OP).—New listings of stocks and bonds on the New York Stock Exchange in October had an aggregate value of $520,368,705, of which $352,315,425 were new stock* and $25,575,780 additional stocks. GOOD YEAR SEEN. | Hardware Industry Expects Satis factory Showing for 1927. • NEW YORK, November 1 (Spe cial).—-A general survey of condition* ■ in the hardware trade encourages the opinion that the next eight weeks will round out a very satisfactory year’s ! business, Hardware Age will soy to morrow In Its weekly market mpott. ; Aside from the actual holiday trade, which Is commencing to get under way. the steady continuance In an lee of regular lines is reassuring. Build lng continues in good volume at the present time. Tho agricultural districts are ex pecting a better business than for aev , crnl years past, as soon as the crops begin to tie marketed in volume, 5 Jobbers’ stocks are adequate and re s tallers are reported filling theirs In . anticipation of Increased business during the remainder of the year. Collections are Improving’ to some extent. L COPPER CONSUMPTION. NEW YORK, November 1 OP).— > Electrical manufacturers consumed i 48,000 tons of copper In the third ! quarter: automobiles. 24,(500 tons: build > ings, 12,800 tons, and manufacturers for export, 14,900, a total of 100.300 tons, tho American Bureau of Metal ; Statistics estimates. These industries * consumed about 297,350 tons in nine j months this year. FREEISILHBOX j OF FAMOUS PYRAMID FOR ; HEMORRHOIDS 1 If you have JPUss, we wfll gladly send you » tree trial box of these marvelous little .up positorles for their treatment and relief. Send no money—just your name and QUICK A RELIEF Or. grt from anteed. Stop, your druggist M bleeding and » 8l » bo* #\ A Pain instantly, for «00. Satis- § X* Nothing el.e faction guar- like PYRAMIDS Marshall. Michigan. MILL NEAR COMPLETION. NEW YORK, November 1 VP).— The Kraft Paper and Pulp Mill, which International Paper Co. is building at Camden, Ark., is nearing completion and Is expected to bo in operation next February. It is the first of its kind in that State. Its capacity will be IGS tons of Kraft paper daily. Two i others aro at Bastrop, La. PROFIT IS SMALLER. NEW YORK, November 1 (JP). —Net profit of American Zinc, Lead & Smelt ing Co. for rilno months of 1927 drop ped to $223,165 from $382,958 in the corresponding 1926 period. I ss The ROSS °° =-li I Give Jewelry This § Christmas I | Buy Gifts N-O-W! § PAYNEXTYEAR jj! STARTING REGULAR PAYMENTS FEBRUARY 1 1| Christmas is just a few short weeks away—take a lH \ Cpp tip from Santa Claus and make selections at The Hi j§l‘j Ross Co. NOW! A small deposit will reserve any , pi I purchase until desired. 11l 11 prompted by our do- 111 - . j PAY NEXT YEAR'I § STARTING REGULAR !pay next year! STARTING REGULAR PAYMENTS FEBRUARY 1 g 1 PAY NEXT YEAR j STARTING REGULAR PAYMENTS FEBRUARY 1 | LyNEXT YE Alii i 3 mi)M REGULAR ( pay next year! gj STARTING REGULAR PAYMENTS FEBRUARY ijj kpROSS?| : 1 702 Seventh St. N. W. | Jewelers—Optometrists g f[ ‘ V; } PROFIT MARGIN DROPS. NEW YORK, November 1 VP).— ; Sales of California Packing for f * months ended October 31 were about one million cases larger than in the preceding fiscal year, but at a lower margin of profit. President Bentley reports. The carry-over this year will ; be much smaller. AMERICAN LIGHT. NEW YORK, November 1 VP).— American Light & Traction and sub sidiaries earned $12.09 a share on tha common stock in the year ended Sep tember 30, against $19.87 a share the year before. 13