ADVANCING B, . F T N EDITED BY
AWIINGTON'A INTERESTSN- WJLLIAMM. 00NRAb
Big eBanker
Over Outloc
Recently prominent banker
have come out publicly with
upon the future of the couni
the course of security values.
The change from pessim
develop over night. It is kno,
followed conferences betweei
of high standing in finance.
good securities, prices for c
about been reached, and tha
spreading of optimistic propa;
The recent strength of good stocks
and bonds is a result of this agree
ment that the worst of the depression
had been passed. Stocks and bonds
were bought because they were cheap,
and with the belief that industry was
headed for better things. The improve
ment in securities was due to buying
of this character, and not to profes
sional manipulation. The stock mar
ket passed from the control of pro
fessionals to what Wall street terms
"big constructive interests."
Want No Dul Market.
It is not the desire of bankers and
flaanciers to foster a wild bull market.
Neither do they. care to se a rapid
recovery in industry. What they are
'working for is a gradual, safe recovery,
that will put back to work the several
million men out of employment. In
this they have the co-operation of
Washington. and constructive rail
road and tax legislation Is looked for
before the end of the year. It is held
there can be no permanent prosperity
with demoralised transportatien.
A prominent banker gives the fol
lowing reasons for his belief that the
corner has turped in business:
"In the first half of last year when
we were producing raw and finished
materials at a record rate, and prices
and wages were soaring to unprece
dented levels, the country was crying
that we were suffering from under
production. Manufacturers were ap
peeled to to produce more and more
in order to check inflation. They took
heed of this appeal and sold steel,
woolens, sugar, automobiles, leather
and other products until their order
books were swamped. They bought
hundreds of millions of dollars' worth
at raw material at exorbitant prices
for conversion into finished materials.
They obtained huge credits from the
banks. Prosperity, they thought,
wodld continue through the greater
part of this current year. We all know
what happened through this excessive
over-confidence.
"Readjustment has been going on
ever since, ad few people can fully
realise what has been accomplished
In this directiog over the last year in
correcting an economic situation which
in its seriousnesh was without a
parallel. In this direction we have
.made great strides of a constructive
character.
"We are on the verge of a period
of prosperity that will be backed by
rigid economy.. There will be no wild
inflation. The day of the silk shirt
millionaire has passed into history.
Basie Conditions Never Better.
"Basic conditions in this country
for a return to aormal conditions
were never better. We. are now suf
fering from underproduction and de
flation in contrast with last year
when we were experiencing over-pro
duction, inflation and reckless extrav
agance which are responsible for ex
isting conditions. We must now go
through the process of economic re
adjustment. Let me cite a few rea
sons for my belief that conditions are
now ripe for a turn upward in com
merce and industry.
"The United States now holds ap
proximately one-third of the world's
monetary gold supply, about $3,376,.
000,000. In 1914 this country only
Peld gold amounting to a little over
$1,000,000,000. The increase since
1114 is approximately $2,350,000,000.
Thus, figuring that $1 in gold Is made
the basis of $10 credit expansion
throughout the banking systems of
the country, this additional gold since
1914 is the foundation for a crelt
expansion of $23,000,000,000.
"Bankers are in accord that the
heavy Influx of gold to this country
will prove advantageous when indus
FARRELL COAL
PHILIP MORRIS
Latest Information in our weekly
Market Letter free upoa request.
JaaW.Bl & C.
67 Exchange Pl., New York
"present is period
of opportunities"
Read what miany au
thorities say about
market conditions in
the special 16-page
issue
INVESTOR & TRADER
It 'will also post you
on latest news and
price fluctuations on
many stocks.
It is chock-full of un
prejudiced information
that will help you in
your market opera,
tions.
Cepy g n e eu
JONES &BAKER
Mab JsNDkork Canb Martse
BALTIMORE OFFICB
433 IquiembI Bau~dlag
Tdsm: Si. PauS sedt
s Optimistic
ik for Future
a, business men and financiers
optimistic statements bearing
ry's trade and commerce and
ism to optimism seemed to
wn that this change in attitude
I prominent bankers and men
It was agreed that bottom for
Dmmodities and business had
t the situation warranted the
randa.
try again enters the money market, or
when business Is conducted on a
larger scale.
Nanmal Banks Strong.
"Everyone Is failiar with' the
strong showing of the national banks
end their ability to take care of a"
expansion in business. The banks
loaned hundreds of millions of dollars
of industrial companies caught with
excessive inventories and inability of
consumers to finance goods that had
been ordered. Since the first of the
year Industry has been going through
the process of inventory deflation.
Corporations have greatly strengthen
ed their cash position and a majority
have been able to pay back large
sums borrowed frona the banks. Man
ufacturers are short df raw material.
merchants are short of finished goods.
and the people are short of clothes,
shoes. etc.
"The steel industry Is on a starva
tion basis. We are producing lees iron
anI steel than at any time within the
last 26 years. In this country iron
production is aliout one-third of the
pre-war outpat. Great Britain has
produced hardly any steel on account
of the coal strike. Germany was pro.
ducing close to 10,000,000 tons an
nually before the war. Her output to
day cannot be greatly in excess of
7,000,000 tons annually. Russia is pro
ducing nothing and the output of
France is about one-half of normal.
"The copper industry has been de.
press since the signing of the armi
stice. It was only recently that mine
operators decided to practically sue.
spend production. Many other lines
of industry are similarly situated.
Surplus stocks in the hands of con
sumer and producer are being rapidly
wiped out.
Raroads Must Day.
"The railroads must eventually buy
equipment to the value of hundreds
of millions of dollars. Although the
country is todiy on a 40% productive
basis, more than 80% of our freight
cars are in use. Of the number of
oars idle, one-half are in need of re
pairs. Even a moderate improvement
in business would wipe out our idle
cars. A return to normal would mean
a congestion of freight even worse
than experienced during the war.
"Up until a short time ago we
thousht we had an overproduction of
cotton. When it was realized that a
shortage was in sight price4 of the
staple doubled. Some think we have
surplused In many other lines of in.
dustry, but in tims consumers will
realize their error and begin to buay.
The course of business is directed by
the old law of supply and demand.
Through rigid curtailment in all lines.
demand for many products will even
tually exceed supply.
Europe Needs Material.
"Europe will have a slower time
than this country getting started. The
great need of Europe Is raw material.
and most of the raw material needed
must come from this country. As the
greatest and richest nation in the
world, the United States must co
operate with Europe as well as South
America in righting economic condi
tions. This co-operation will be the
foundation for a more rapid return
to normal and Improved world condi
tions.
."As to the security market, the
capitalization of scores of concerns
today Is selling below working capital.
In the case of many companies the
shares are selling for less than the
value of the plants. There are shares
of copper mines that are selling below
what It woukl cost to equip these re
spective mines. Not a large copper
mine has been developed and equip.
ped for production since the advent
of the porphyry mines. For many
years to come we must depend on
existing mines for our copper.
"The shares of a large number of in
dustrial corporations are selling at
one-tiid of their- respective intrinsic
values. Great strides were made by
many companies during the war in
adding to wealth. It will be found
that certain of these companies re
tained in working capital and reduced
capital liabilities sums greater thani
the present selling price, of their re
spective common stocks. They are
lenders rather than borrowers of
money. With inventories liquidated
to a more normal level, and with
wages and costs in general down, in
dustry is in a strong position to take
advantage of a revival in business.
"We have suspended drilling for oil,
prospecting for copper, building of
steel mills, construction of railroads
in fact the inocess o. developing the
wealth of the country has been su
spended temporarily while readjust.
ment has been going on. When thinge
get going again, hundreds of millions
of dollars will egain seek Investment in
new mines, mills and factori,,s."
FRANKLIN
AYRES&CC
-yme sams mo
PffM4SVLVAN4IA Rt. ft..
ST ANDARD OIt secuRmss'
ThI 80Y TO LOAN
. U~OAUTO STORIs ce.. sI,
RBM ON PflON4ORAPit S4
eDMONDs OIL.& RIP. SI.23
10*25 DRBXBL BLD
PMIL&DnLIi IA A
BANKERSAGREE
TO AI 'RELIEF
OF RAILROADS
Now York Interests to Take
Over Equipment Trust Notes
From Government.
Rapid recovery of railroad credits
and an equally salutary effect on affil
late4 industries was forecast today
by officials following the announce
ment that bankers in New York had
offered to purchase large blocks of
equipment trust certificates now held
by the Railroad Administratn.
Money thus made available is to
be used by the War Finance Corpora
tion in funding the indebtedness at
the railreads to the Government, en
abling the carriers thereby to. use
what funds they now have to pay
current debts and for additions and
improvements in their various prop.
erties.
When all the equipment trust cer
tificates now held by the Director
General of Railroads have been dis
posed of through the channels, ap
proximately $800,000,000 will have
been placed in the hands of the War
Finance Corporation to be used in put
ting the steam lines on their feet.
Virtually one-third of the bertificates
held by the Railroad Administration
have been sold, the total sales to
date being $94.000,00 Securities ag
gregating $227.000,000 remaan to be
disposed of.
Officials predicted that it future
sales of these securities are made at
the rate of those registered during the
last week, the entire amount will be
marketed before the close of Novsm
ber. Bankers and financiers look up
on these equipment trust certificates
as ranking with the best securities.
The plan now being followed by the
Government in extending financial
aid to the railroads is the same pro
posed in the so-called funding bill, rec
ommended to Congress by the, Presi
dent, and which is pending in the
Senate.
When the equipment trust certfi
caten are finally turned into regular
trade channels it i probable that other
securities held by the Director Gen
eral will likewise be sold.
NEW VICE PRESIDENT
FOR RAILWAY EXPRESS
E. M. Williams has resigned as re
gional operating vicepresiont of the
American Railway Express Company
in the South. William G. Smith, for
nerly general manager at Cleveland,
has been elected as his successor. The
change becomes effective October 1.
Mr. Williams resigned to enter pi
rate business in this city. He was
in charge of the traffic for both the
Adams and Southern Express com
panies. He began in the business as
a cISA.
Mr. Smith is one of the best known
and popular express executives in the
East. A few years ago he made a
:our of the Orient to determine
whether it was feasible to introduce
In the Philippines and elsewhere a rail
way express service similar to that in
this country.
AMERICAN SUMATRA EARNS
$5.74 ON COMMON SHARES
NEW YORK, Sept. 24.-American
Sumatra Tobacco lbm issued its in
come account for the year ended
July 31, showing net grnings of
996,627, equal to $5.74 on tie com
mon shares, compred witb 42,381.031,
or $16.91 a share, in tite previous
year.
Gross -profit for the ye was $2,
257,682, compared with ,201,292 in
1920, while operating expenses were
724,910 and interest and other
charges $1,014,976.
SHIPPING BOARD ASKS .
BIDS ON OIL SUPPLY
Sealed bids will be received I the
Shipping Board until October 7 for
furnishing such quantities of lubri
eating oils an may be required for
the use df all cargo daips operated
by or for its account for a period of
three months after fifteen days from
date of award, with option of ex
tending an additlongl three- months.
The board reserves the riaU to
reject any or all bids.
WEEKLY BANIK
Twelve Federal Reserv,
Ratio of ttal resere to depesit ad I
note lIabilities combined......
ka of gold reserves to F. R. notes-is
e ion after setting aside 35% agi
deposit liabilities ...............
RESOU
eS.
Gold and gold certificates. $4|
Gold Settlement Fund--F. R. Board 4:
Gold with foreign agencies........ .
Ttal gold held by bank..........
Jold with F. R. agents...........--17
old rede'mption fund...........
rotal gold reserves............-- ,7
Legal tender notes, silver, etc.... 1
rotal reserves-...................2,34
Bill. discounted
Becured by U. S. Gov't obligations. 41
All other .'.. .. ... .. ... .. ... 8
Bills bought in open market....
rotal bill. on hand................1,4
U. S. bonds and notes............
U. S. Certificates of Indebtedness
flne-year certificates (Pittman Act) 1I
All other.......................
otal earning assets............61
Dank premises-......- ..........
1% redemption fund against P. R.
bank notes..................
inollected items ...............51
All other resources................
Total resources-......... 514
rpital paid in............-.......$14
lurplus- ............. ............- 2:
Reerved for Govt Franchise Tax. -
Deposis
overnmenlt....................
Ifember banks-reserve aecunt... 1,sI
All other-..... ...... ...... .....
otal deposits-..........-.....-... 161
r. R. notes in actual otroulation... 2,41
P. R. bank notes in dr.-net liab..- 14
Deferred availability items........-SI
All other liablhitie-.......
Total liabiteg _ - e$
The Week
Res
By Internations
NEW YORK, Sept. 25.-D
cotton crop was emphasised
mates that boll weevil alone
$400,000,000 this year. This e
prices.
Further improvement has 1
but there are indications ha
will be increased soon.
A feature of the stock mark
Bonds, which are rising in pt
cent. Liberty Bonds sold v
for the year.
Reports from mercantile
fairly good, but there has I
goods, especially in the Middl
' ow Is Dealer.
Money on call on the New York
stock exchange ranged from 6 to 4%
er cent during the week, but some
foan, were placed outside under 4%
per cent. Easter toney reflected im
provement in the sanking dtuation'.
Cemmearea hFallr
Three hundred and twenty-one com
mercial failures were reported this
week against 830 the previous week.
sak aCGrtag.
Clearing house exchanges of bank
checks ig the United States this week
INVESTORS SERVICE
Ef y love an investment premaia,
Timses will be glad to aM yes.
Write - fusly, Inaledag stamped
addressed suvispe far , and
addre.s .t ard.r.
A. &,-What do you think of
United states of Drasl 4 per est
external sterlag bonds? .These
bonds are offered at $97.50 "er 1100.
Is the principal safe? Do you think
Barnsdall Corporation 2 per cent
bonds attractive?
Answer.-United States o'. Brasil 4
per cent sterling bonds are in three
usuee-188. repayable 1946 1900, re
payable 1962; 1910. repayable 1966.
Prices vary, with fluctuation in ex
change. They are redeemable by
inking fegid of % per cent annum to
puchase bonds in the market. Up to
1914 16.286,000 of ?4646000 originally
issued in London had been retir.
At the beginning of the war the
further operation of the sinking fund
was suspended until 1927. Being 4
per cent bonds, the coupone on 1200
amount to L3 per annum. If exchange
were normal now, this (8 would
amount to about $33.86, or 10.37 per
cent on the 3876 invested. At pres
ent rate of exchange the annual inter
est Is $80.80. or over I per cent on the
money invested. As a speculative ip
vestment these bends are not with
out attraction.
HanmurgAmwrican ins Bes.
J. F.. Brooklyn-I am thinking
of putting some money into the
Ha mw-Amerieas Lins, 4%pe
eoat sining fhnd bIn, - dO 199
57. I understand that interest has
been paid on these bonds without
Interruption. If they pay 4% per
cent on the par value of the mark
it would be a v3ry large return
if reasonably safe. What do you
think of them?
Answer-These bonds are outstand
ing In the amount of 68,626000 marks,
and we understand that interest has
been paid promptly- despite the tact
that the company's business was
practically nil during the war. Hpot
bonds are offered at the rate of
$17.60 per 1.000 marks. Based on
normal rate of exchange the bonds
would be worth about $240. But the
value of the German mark Is going
each day to new low levels, which
shows. how very highly speculative
the position of tifese bonds Is new.
The Hamburg-American Line was or
ganised in 1847 and at the com
mencement of the war it had become
the second largest steamship line in
the world. Then came the crash.
We should not want to commit our
selves on the probable future of
these bonds. A good mAny person,
huwever. think they are a good spee
ulation.
~ST ATEMENTS
e Banks Combined.
This Week. Last Week. Year Age,
. R.
. 63.. .7% 7.5%. . 4s,8%
eir.
. . . 9.% s3.1% 47.0%
RCES,
t. 21, 1921 sept. 14, 1321 Sept. 24. 1330
3,036,000 $446,642,000 18,26,000
[1,210,000 441,103,000 141,83,000
1,246,050 337,751,000 63 654,000
7,523,000 1,694,301.000 1,211,619,00('
'4.362,000 103,43,000 141,623.000
1,123,000 2,684,501,000 1,333,325,000
1,963,000 150,001,000 161,719.000
3,096,000 2,834,603.000 3,151,5*4,000
5.16.,000 508,677,000 1,330,422.000
'3,081,000 . 34.486,600 1.434.041,000
1,514,000 46,T13,000 307.624.000
0.751,000 1,468,3Y4,000 3.012,0I3,000
3,01,.000 33,73,000 36;377,000
4.875,000 137,175,000 253,375,000
3,571,000 13.303.000 11,243,000
.2,273,000 1,T10,231,000 3,803,56.6000
3.,111,000 23,877.000 15,870,000
3.317,000 3,345,000 11.634,000
I1,311,000 641,273,000 317,348,000
6,448,000 16,801,000 6,06,000
1,661,000 S5,240,586,000 $0,813,2T5,000
4,017.000 ' 102,332,000 397,401,000
8324,000 311,124,000 164,T45,000
10777,000 50,101,000 .....
'4.183,000 43,319,000 4,433,000
8,9,000 1,631,031,000 1,800,677,000
3,218,000 35,574,000 84,310000
1,610,000 1,705631,000 1,883,060,003
4,676,000 2.431,651,000 8,53,000
4,530,000 106,073,000 314,130,000
174000 553,835,006 ?35,343,000
l.,38,0q0 239.800 78,881,000
3.0a1000 a5,30a me0a $6.e1een a0W
'S Business
jiew
i New Service.
starioration of the Amerioan
last week by Southern esti
has oost the cotton- growers
stimlate is based upon present
*en made in the steel trade,
; prices of some steel fabrios
At was the strength of Liberty
ice. The third issue 41 per
p to 93, a new high mark
agencies say that trade is
*en a slowing down in dry
a West.
were estimated at $6.71,454 ,0
agast $6.830,44.0- the preceeine
week and $3,487,U1O.487 a year ago.
mk 3ehang.
The average price of twenty repre
sentative Industrial shares on 1rday
on the Now York stock Zschange was
70." against 70.88 last week and 86.36
last year. The average of twenty
railroad Issues was 74.99, against
78.26 Uat week and 80.30 at year.
Gh.
Export demand for American grain
revived at the ind of the week. Unb
vorable weather, cold and rain. were
reported from the Northwest and
ftrom 'the Chanadlan wheat belt. The
movement. of wheat is breaking all
records, and the visible supply In
creased 4.064,000 bushel.
It is estimated that Anerca has
produced 740.000,00 of wheat.
whereas the' American requirements
are 626.000.000 buelels, leaving about
115.000.000 for export.- The wheat
and flour exported in July and Au
gust totalled 97.00,000 bushels. the
greatest amount ba record. The corn
market has been sluggish. The move.
ment this week increased the visible
supply of 1.009,000 bushels. The crop
Is making good progress despite too
much rain In some places.
The next Government report on the
new cotton crop will be issued on
October 3 and some traders expressed
the opinion today that If the estimates
fall as low as 6.800,000 bales the farm.
era may fulfill their hopes for 10-oent
cotton. The amount of the crop
brought Into sight on the movement
this week was 304,600 bales against
only 205.000 bales this week last
This makes the total amount th
orop marketed or brought into sight
frm August I to date 1.364,000 bal
1.In0t 21,00 bales in the-earek
last year. The exports droppedett
this wgk
Construction is undergoing a revivaj
In the Middle West. Beilding materials
are slightly cheaper and wages are
lower. The carpenters at Pittsburgh
have just accepted a $6 per cept wage
cut.
Feed Prie.
There was a alight downward
trend in the price of foodstuffs in the
Eastern markets. Winter flour de
dlined from 16 to 26 cents a barrel
and bacon also was che . Eggs
and cheese increased in r
GRAIN DEALERS
TO OPEN 3=DAY
CHICAGO MEET
Trade Problems of World Im
portance to Come Before
Body on October 3.
CHICAGO. Sept. 3.--Trade prob
bems of greatest Importance will be
oonsidered by more than 2,000 dale
gates to the convention of the
(rain Dealers' National Association,
which will open a three-day session
In Chicago October 3.
World finance, foreign trade, mar
keting problems and elImInation of
Dals legIslatIon are some of the
subjects to be treated. Recent Regis
lation governing grain eechanges also
will be discussed.
A report will be submitted by the
inpecial committee of the association
which has been conducting an edu
sational campaign Intended to create
:loser relations between the farmer
and the middleman. Speakers are to
nclude United States Senator Medill
McCorratk; David R. ,Fog , prei
lent of he National City ,ak Chi
sago: President Joseph P. Grifin,' of
the Chicago board of trade; Governor
Mc~ray, of Indiana: Frank 0, Low
len, former governor of Illinois; As
bury F. Lever, of the Federal Farm
140an Bureau, Washington. and Pres
ident B. 3. Clement, of the, Grain
Dealer.' National Assoclaten.
BUSINESS IMPROVINO,
WESTERN BANKER SAYS
CHICAGO, Sept. 24d-John .7. Mitch.
ill, back from WashIngton, where he
attended the quarterly meetig of
Pederal Advisory ' oncl says:
"Feeling of. council is that businem
ide has definitely and lastingly turned
For better. southern and Northern
aiembers report important Improve.
Inent since advance in prices of cotton
and wheat.
"Consensus In Washington is that
omething must be done looking to
ward extending credits to Europe, par
tioutarly Germany. British are much
ahead of us in this respect.
"There is much disturbance through.
sitt United States regarding American
tariff valuation plan. We cannot af.
Ford to erect high tariff wall at this
tinme. Tariff is scheduled to be taken
a yCnrk ietyter eae
BRITISH STEEL
NEEDS FELT1IN.
UNITED STATES
With Reoovery of World atwse
Trade We Should Supply
Much of English Demand.
One of the questions uppermest in
e minds Of steel men during the
currqnt depression is whether the
United States can regain her foreign
markets, which consumed such a
great amount of Iron and steel during
the war period.
With a recovery In the wesd
steel trade and some activity in Brit
b mills, this country is again apt to
feel the demand for Piron and Msemi
finished steel from d, acced
Ing to the Bureau of Foreign and
Domestic Coamece.
The United Kingdom for a long
time has ranked among the largest
Importers of Iron and steel, as well
as being the second greatest exporter
of steel products. Prior to the war,
when British steel exports were in
excess ot 4,000,00 tons a year, inm
ports of iron and steel were close to
2,00,000 tons, and in this trade the
United States always had a valuable
share. Reoently. the relative Impor
tance of British Imports of steel, as
compared with ex , has been
somewhat greater formerly, so
that the actual tonnage of Iron and
steel Imported to Bri In the twelve
months ended June, 1031, totaling
clos to 1.400,000 tons, probably has
equaled, if it has not exceeded. Im
ports by any other country during
the same period.
Briain's CWif Imports.
British Imports always have includ
ed a variety of products, but the chief
Items generally, have been pig Iron.
billets, and other semi-finished steel.
which before the wdr about equaled
in amount the exports of pig Iron.
Thus, for the three years 1911-191
exports of pig Iron, plus a very small
amount of billets, averaged 1,200,000
tons a year. but were nearly offset
by average yearly imports of about
1,040,000 tons of pig iron and semi
finished steel.
By far the larger prt of this move
ment was of pig iron and semi-finished
steel, between Britain and European
countries. imports of pig Iron and
semi-fnished steel being drawn mainly
from Belgium. Germany. France, aid
Sweden; while exports of pig Iron.
somewhat more widely distributed,
nevertheless found their main markets
on the Continent.
War-time needs and conditions al
tered somewhat the relations of the
different parts of the British steel In
dustry, minly with the result that
capacity to turn 2at rolled products
was increased moft than capacity to
make ingots or pig Iron.
According to common estimates, the
total pig Iron capacity of the Ugited
Kingdom Is now about 9,.00.000 tons
a year; Ingot capacity Is estimated to
be elontto 12,000.000 tons a year, and
capacity to make rolled products is
put as hbh. as -13,000,0 tns.
Allowing fbr a russonable amount
&f latitude in these estimates. It still
Is evident that full Ingot output can
not be based on the domestic supply
of pig Iron; nor would local ingot out
t keep the rolling mills running at
I, Capacity.
The gape can be bridged enly bv
extensive use of scrap to supplement
Iron and semi-finished steel on a
er scale than formerly, In order
to reach aity production all
around.
Imports Take Slmp,
It is this -condition which has raised
the question, in some quarters, whether
the British market for pig Iron and
billets will again reach large enough
proportions to revive the demand for
coniderable supplies from the United
states. Such a question leads only
to pure speculation at the present
time, because so far this year the
total Imports of pig iron and semi
finished steel Into the United King
Rom have been about 80 per cent below
the prowar rate, sad the volume of
shipments from the United States to
that market has dwindled to a very
nall traction of what it was last year.
Jane showed a total of only 1,000 tons,
and July none at al, as compared with
an average of 15,000 tons a month
ist year shei fro the United
States to Brish steel markers.
Whether this trade can be revived
to such an extent as to make It an Im
portant factor in United States ex
ports of steel will depend largely on
the price at ich the goods can be
laid down In Itish ports in competi
tion with nearby Continental producers
but It will depend In part also on the
ability of Continental poucers to fill
British needs flor pig h-nand billets.
Before the war the United States was
able to sell annually 150,000 to 200,000
tons of raw and semi-finished products
in the British mnarket.
Prices are now smewhat meore
against the American product than
they were then, but price differences
are gradually being narrowed, as
umong the chief competitore, Further
sore, with the changes which the
wrar left Imposed on Continental Iron
and steel production, it is not yet clear
that there will be a basis for Contin
mtal producers to shonopolise, at any
price level, the likely British demand
!or raw and semi-flnished ph-oducts.
W. B. HIBBS
Members
New York Sleek 3uthaas
Philadelphia BSeek hAekms
New Terk Cetten Eekange
Osage DsaEd ef Tbade
u. V, corkbMeat Asseelaie
HibsBudaag
Wassen. D. CE
Food Prices Trended
Upward in Au
Department of Labor, which has its own commodity
statistcl bureau, says prices of important foodstuffsash
a strong upward tendency during August. Butter e
milk, eggs, rice, meat, sugar, fruit and potatoes shared
the advance which covered 99 commodities out of 827.
128 commodities there were decreases, and in 105 no cha
in two months.
Measured by the bureau's weight Index number food
rices were nearly 18% per cent higher In August
uly. In all other groups, except cloth and clothing
were declines, ranging from 1 per cent in building ma
to 4 per cent in metals. Cloths and clothing were
changed. Aggregate of all commodities was 2% per
higher than in July.
Following is comparative table. August, 1921,
are preliminary. Base price Is 100 for 1918.
1921 1920
August July Au
Farm products ............. 118 115 222
Food, etc.................. 152 184 285
Cloths and clothing ..J...... 179 179 299
Fuel and lighting........... 182 184 268
Metals and metal products... 120 125 198'
Building materials........... 198 200 828
Chemicals and drugs. ....... 161 168 216
House furnishing goods...... 280 285 868
Miscellaneous .............. 147 149 240
All commodities ............ 152 148 250
From August, 1920, prices, farm products have fall
nearly 47 per cent, building material 89% per cent,
articles 85 per cent. . Aggregate of all was 39 per c
lower.
British Shipbuilders
Forced to Reduce Co
Prospectf Of Bitish shipbuilding are labor is coming to the conclusion
stil gloomy, according to W. . ewrtposbesrvc.hc
1'rade "ommissioner aw Lp i
the Bureau of Foeign and DoMeeto Organation could give the
Commerce. The severe shipping do. would be to Prevent steady work
pression has stopped placing of now contract now on hand.
contracts, and the unsatisfactory
titude of labor hinders efficient as:1Kmt ew ot
economical work. Yarrow Co., a large with the industrial horison
shipbuiding concern on the Clyde. re. ft.rtihs~bule. aeg
centy announced its intention tlose
te yard. for an indefinite period be- serious thought to reorts from
ginning November 1. giving as a rea- countries. which emphaslas the
on mpossibuity of promisIng dasty for more econsnica:
FM to Dever Prompl. in British rar.s.
shipbuilding trades are beginning tohe Aur'. nland dirgct*
realise that work must be speeded up tme tanw carg te ,
in British shipyards. Before the war
the best- foreign customers which o worth less than half the ceo
rlush shipowners had were Norve- wages and materia for their
gan ownes, and there is reason to struction. and points out cost of
believe that this would be true today ducton. so that the shipbuilding
were it possible to get reasonable dustry would have to cut its o
deliveries. last 26 per cent. This
some time aWe the Norwegian cannot be brought about seely by
American Un. of Christiania. creasing wages. Employer
placed orders on the Clyde for four seve must effect great ecopomiee
steamerS, each of S,. dead-wgbt work In their yards. General
toos. At the, some time it placed tion of payment by results must
orders with Canadian Vickers Co., effeted. latest labor-saving
Montreal. for two sister ships and chinery ms be utilised.
gave an American company In Penn
sylvania, an order for an oil tanker.
Although the vessels built on the
American side of the Atlantic were
ordered after thus on the Clyde. they
were delivered rt and one of them T6OUdhuw As O
was completed exactly on the con- a
tract date. Of the Clyde vessels. but
one has been delivered. two ar sup
Posed to be fitting out. and one is still
on the stocks.Hi&ca amI]W
Despite the general gloomy outlook
there Is a desire on the part of all Thu ibat qe(M
Interested In shipbuilding to assist In fay wM * i
restoring the Industry to normal con
dtion. Labor In 'the shipbuilding and
marine engineering trades is at the
present time entirely free of strikes. arket Review
and there in prospect of continued
harmony for the immediate future, an Whch &be amaijm
a h. .a.iaI ..ats of dw
bW s co tt nu
ft C~t P 6 WO Aft Ask tsr 'WT-75.
thehw wor stwoss e
SL Iemi 1 a 1a Y. ILM. Fuller A lq
SL ILuis & Sea Fr. Ry. NIA"4IL.
b~d organisation' coldge the
is C ity 9&conta cs now on . h n d
n toI IRedvueesl Ctsg.
-~With the industrialhorison
mo euntr ~Ies, hic empasi h
in British yards
LAL rL.ImAyre,* managidrt'
theBuntslad hibulg o.
timates thathsa ne Argo 20amr
SterA Ok, i Lastruc tio and oint out Ooso
lim Oee U du ~co. Cothuat th shibuidin
D~ttleast 36 perFcent. This-a
c read waget. Erpowyer
Sustainedstrgum etsgetecsme
cacwihstndth arumnof ther yars. Oenr
tori wihou a ingefcae ofs, a rgtet ueb s
powerullyfor he schritey of thee uis.
mens s el a te ntgrtas Cndr comen md
Swartzll Rhemaretse Revie
st.27e1ith SsreeFrN.Ry.
IsWashingioys1.. C.
tent.senuig e tiein H.. oe
62e ar ~. WiheutLs t~nIsu
L0 ikla o