SCB_011929

UNITED STATESDEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON

SURVEY OFCURRENT BUSINESS

JANUARY, 1929No. 89

COMPILED BY

BUREAU OF THE CENSUSIN COOPERATION WITH

BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE, > , AND;

BUREAU OF STANDARDS

IMPORTANT NOTICEIn addition to figures given from Government sources, there are also incorporated for completeness ofservice figures from other sources generally accepted by the trades, the authority and responsibilityfor wtiich are noted in the *' Sources of Data " on pages 139-142 of the August, 1928, semiannual issue

1 M ' ] ' \ ' ' i ' ' ' \ ) ' ' '

Subscription price of the SURVEY OF CURRENT BUSINESS is $1.50 a year; single copies (monthly), 40 cents, semiannual Jssues, 25 cents.Foreign subscriptions, $2,25; single copies (monthly issues), including postage, 14 cents; semiannual issues, 36 cents. Subscriptionprice of COMMERCE llBpo&TS is $4 a year; with the SURVEY, $5.50 a year. Make remittances only to Superintendent of Documents,Washington, D. C, by postal money order, express order, or New York draft. Currency at sender's fisk. Postage stamps or foreign

money not accepted,

, , , / B. *. OVERHMEHT PRIKTIIH OFFICE i >92 iDigitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

INTRODUCTIONThe SUBVEY ofr CURRENT BUSINESS is designed^to

Eresent each month a picture of the business situationy setting forth the principal facts regarding the vari-ous lines of trade and industry. The figures reportedare very largely those already in existence. Thechief function of the department is to bring togetherthese data which, if available at all, are scatteredin hundreds of different publications. A portion ofthese data are collected by Government departments,other figures aira compiled by technical journals, andstill others are reported by trade associations.

At semiannual intervals detailed tables &re pub-lished giving, for each item, monthly figures for thepast two years and /yearly comparisons, where avail-able, back to 1913; also blank lines sufficient for sixmonths have been left at the bottom of each table,enabling those who care to do so to enter new figuresps soop. as they appear (see August, 1928, issue). In theintervening mbnths the more important comparisonsonly are given in the table entitled " Trend of busi-ness movements."

i

WEEKLY SUPPLEMENTRealising th^t current statistics are highly peri^h-

able and that to be of use they must reach the businessman at the earliest possible moment, the departmenthas arranged to distribute supplements every week tosubscribers in the United States, The supplements areusually mailed on Saturdays and give such informationas has been received during the week ending on thepreceding Tuesday. The monthly information con-tained in these bulletins is republished in the SURVEY,and the supplements also contain charts and tablesof weekly data*

RELATIVE AND INDE# NUMBERS

To facilitate comparison between different impor-tant items and td chart series expressed in differentunits, relative numbers (often called "index num-bers," a term referring more particularly to a specialkind of number described below) have been calcu-lated. The monthly average for 1923-1925 hasusually been used as a base equal to 100.

The relative numbers are computed by allowing themonthly average for the base year or period to equal100; If the movement for a current month is greaterthan the base, the relative number will be greater thanlOb/and vice versa. The difference between 100 andthe relative number will give at once the per centincrease or decrease compared with the base period.Thus a relative number of 115 means an increase of 15per pent over the base period, while a relative numberof 80 means a decrease of 20 per cent from the base.

Relative numbers may also be used to calculate theapproximate percentage increase or decrease in a move-ment from one period to the next. Thus, if a relativenumber at one month is 120 and for a later month itis 144 there has been an increase of 20 per cent.

When two or more series of relative numbers arecombined by a system of weightings, the resultingseries is denominated an index number. The indexnumber, by combining many relative numbers, is

designed to show the trend of an entire group ofindustries or for the country as a whole, instead of forthe single commodity or industry which the relativenumber covers. Comparisons with the base year orwith other period^ are made in the same manner as inthe case of relative numbers.

RATIO CHARTSIn most instances the charts used in the SUBVEY

OF CURRENT BUSINESS are of the type termed "RatioCharts" (logarithmic scale), notably the BusinessIndicator charts on page 2. These charts show thepercentage increase and allow direct comparisonsbetween the slope of one.curve and that of any othercurve regardless of its location on the diagram; thatis, a 10 per cent increase in an item is given the samevertical movement whether its curve is near the bot-tom or near the top of the chart. The differencebetween this and the ordinary arithmetic form ofchart can be made clear by an example. Jf a certainitem having a relative number of 400 in one monthincreases 10 per cent in the following month, itsrelative number will be 440, and on an ordinarychart would be plotted 40 equidistant scale pointshigher than the preceding months. Another move-ment with a relative number of, say, 50 also increases10 per cent, making its relative number 55. On theordinary (arithmetic) scale this item would rise only 5equidistant points, whereas the previous item rose 40points, yet each showed the same percentage increase.The ratio charts avoid difficulty and give to eachof the two movements exactly the same vertical rise,and hence the slopes of the two lin$ are directlycomparable. The ratio charts cpmpare percentagechanges, while the arithmetic charts compare absolutechanges.

RECORD POOKAs an aid to readers in comparing present data

with monthly statistics in previous years, the depart-ment is compiling a BECORD BOOK OF BUSINESSSTATISTICS, in which data now carried in the SURVEYOF CURRENT BUSINESS are shown by months as farback.as 1909, if available, Full descriptions of thefigures and reports of how the data are ued in actualpractice by business firms are contained in the RECORDBOOK. The sections covering textiles and metals havealready been issued and may be obtained for 10 centsper copy from the Superintendent of Documents, Gov-ernment Printing Office, Washington, D. C. (Do notsend stamps.) Notices of other sections will be givenin the SURVEY as they are issued.

METHODS OF USEMethods of using and interpreting current business

statistics have been collected by the departmentfrom many business concerns and are described in abooklet entitled "How to Use Current BusinessStatistics/' together with methods of collecting sta-tistics. This booklet may be obtained from theSuperintendent of Documents, Government PrintingOffice, Washington, D. C., at 15 cents per copy. (Donot send stamps,)

This issue presents practically complete data for the month of November and contains text covering the early weeksof December (page 1), for which the basic figures in table and chart form are presented regularly in the weekly supplements.As most data covering a particular month's business are not available until front 15 to 30 days after the close of the month,a complete picture of that month's operations can not be presented at an early date, but the weekly supplements giveevery week the latest data available.Digitized for FRASER

http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

SURVEY OFCURRENT BUSINESS

COMPILED BY

BUREAU OF THE CENSUSI N C O O P E R A T I O N WITH

BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE AND BUREAU OF STANDARDS

No. 89 WASHINGTON January, 1929

C O N T E N T SSUMMARIES

Preliminary summary for DecemberBusiness conditions in NovemberMonthly business indicators (table and chart)Wholesale prices (table and charts)Indexes of businessAutomobiles, building, mining, manufacturing (charts)Electric power, transportation (charts)

NEW DETAILED TABLES

Movement of wheat prices __Flaxseed movement at Minneapolis and DuluthMill receipts of flaxseed at Duluth and SuperiorLoan rates of agricultural land banks.Composite prices for specified commodities

Page14

2, 36, 7

1588

1819202020

INDEX BY SUBJECTS

TextilesMetals and metal productsFuelsAutomobiles and rubberHides and leatherPaper and printingBuilding construction and housingLumber productsStone, clay, and glass productsChemicals and oils _ __Foodstuffs and tobacco __ _ _ _Transportation and public utilitiesEmployment and wages _ _ _Distribution movement (trade, etc.) _ _ _Banking, finance, and insurance _ _Foreign exchange and trade _

Textpage

910111111

121212

13145

141414

Tablepage

212327

26, 28292930313334

35, 393941424346

PRELIMINARY SUMMARY FOR DECEMBERThe volume of money turnover during the early

weeks of December, as indicated by check payments,was greater than in either the preceding month or thesame month of last year. Steel plants, though show-ing less activity than in the preceding month, due toseasonal conditions, were on a higher operating planethan a year ago. The value of new building contractsawarded was on about the same level as in the corre-sponding period of 1927. Activity in the automobileindustry, as reflected by Detroit factory employment,was seasonally smaller than in November, but was con-siderably greater than in December a year ago. Earlyreports from trade sources indicate larger retail salesthan a year ago by mail-order houses, 10-cent chains,and department stores.

Loans and discounts of Federal reserve memberbanks were higher than in the previous month, show-ing a substantial gain also over a year ago. Interest

2754129 1

rates on time money continued to average higher,while call-money rates during December reached anew high point for recent years. Stock prices re-covered partially from the break which occurred dur-ing the first week of the month, while bond pricesaveraged lower than in either the preceding month orthe corresponding period of last year. The Federalreserve ratio continued to reflect declines from bothperiods.

The general index of wholesale prices averaged lowerthan in November, but was fractionally higher than ayear ago. Prices for wheat showed only little changefrom the preceding month but were lower than a yearago, while cotton prices averaged higher than in eitherperiod. Prices for iron and steel and copper were alsohigher than in either the preceding month or Decembera year ago. Business failures were less numerous thanin December of last year.

Digitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY BUSINESS INDICATORS, 1923-1928[Ratio chartssee explanations on inside front cover. The curves on check pa3/ments, wholesale trade, sales of mail-order houses and 10-cent chains, and department

stores have been adjusted for normal seasonal variations, and manufacturing production for the varying number of working days in the month as well]

!Q2^_l_j925_j_!926__i_l_?27_! J928_FACTORY'EMPLOYMENT ~~

1824 ! 1925 \ !92_6_l J827_ I J928

j I ! PIG IRON PRODUCTION I j11 i i I i . ! i ! ! U.lLJ._LLJ_L-L-Llj_i-.Lj_L-Li-.Li : , I i l^ jJ_LJ.-L-L-^ LJ-'..i-L-!-:-La-Ll-LJ-L i^-

COPPER PRODUCTION Lj-L-LJ-LU-i-Li-iJ I i i-.i.j-1-Lj..j-i i I

r r^^J "~!2TRIAL STOCKS ^^.Li1^J^^L In

BUlLDSSvG, CONTRACTS (FLOOR SPACEI-Li-l ! I I J-l-i I I .L^J-JLLJ-LL-l.ll-I-L

1926 1 1927 I 1928


MONTHLY BUSINESS INDICATORSThe principal business indicators are shown below, all calculated on a comparable basis, the average for the years 1923 to 1925,

inclusive. Thus the table gives a bird's-eye view of the business situation in a concise form, so that trends of the principal indicatorsmay be seen at a glance.

Certain indicators, in which there is a marked seasonal movement, art? shown with the average seasonal variations eliminated,as noted below. In this manner a more understanding month-to-month comparison may be made.

ITEM

Industrial production:* Total manufacturing* Total minerals

Pig ironSteel ingots _ .AutomobilesCementLumber (5 species)Cotton (consumption).Wool (consumption)

Raw material output:Animal productsCrops ._ _ __ .Forest productsCrude petroleumBituminous coalCopper . _

Power and construction:Electric powerBuilding contracts (37 States)

Unfilled orders:General index _..U. S. Steel Corporation

Stocks:General indexManfd. commodities (28)CottonCopper (refined)

Employment:Factories _

Prices:Farm products, to producersWholesale, all commoditiesRetail foodCost of living (including food)

Distribution (values):Bank debits, 141 citiesWholesale tradeDepartment stores, salesMail-order houses, sales10-cent chains, sales __ .ImportsExports

Transportation:* Car loadings

Freight, net ton-miles.. .

Finance:Member bank loans and discounts.Interest rate (commercial paper) . .Federal reserve ratioPrice, corporation bonds . .Price, railroad stocksPrice, industrial stocks.Failures (liabilities) . _

MONTHLY AVERAGE

1923 1924 1925 i 1828 1927

1927

Sept Oct. Nov. Dec.

192S

Jan. Feb Mar Apr.

1923-1935 monthly average 100

101.0105.0111.7104.8101.592.198.6

105.9112.8

100.092.099.099.4

108.093.4

92.589.7

121.7125.8

94.593.8

102.5106.4

106.6

97.899.797.698.1

91.2101.098.092.088.097.891.5

99.8102.2

94.1116.299.096.486.086.1

106.0

94.096.086.788.790.999.896.289 794.6

104.0104.097.096.992.5

100.2

98.192.7

87.083.6

102.0103.291.4

113.9

96.3

97.197.297.699.9

96.798.099.098.099.093.1

100.8

97.695.9

98.590.0

104.199.996.191.9

106.8

105.099.0

101.5106.4107.7108.1105.2104. 492.6

96.0104.0104.0103.799.5

106.4

109. 6117.6

91.390.6

103. 5103.0106.273.1

97.2

106.6102.6104.9102.3

111.9101 0103.0110.0113.0109.0107.8

102. 8101.9

107.493.596.9

103.6117.9122.087.2

108.0107.0109.0113 1108.5110.0101.5108.58S.7

96.0109.098.0

104.6109. 7110.2

122.6111.0

84.682.1

114.6106.3145.564.8

98.0

98.699.1

107.6102.3

119.698.0

106 0115.0125.0114.3105,5

106.8109.1

112.9100.996.0

108.0133.4132.480.4

106.0107.0101.0104.685.7

115.394 9

120.397.0

97.0113.093.0

122.399.4

104.9

133.3106.8

74.071.1

120.5111. 5153.285.4

94.3

94.995.4

103.699.9

132.595.0

106 0120.0138 0107.9106.8

104.0101.5

117.395.499 1

112.5162.7171.4102.3

105.0105.092.994.678.8

140.8105. 8122 3101.6

87.0183.098.0

123 695 9

100.0

131.7101.9

6fl.965.9

119.9114.0135.176.4

93.8

101.495.6

102.999.3

141.096. 0

109 0122 0141.0105.9112 0

130.0115.1

119.392.898.8

113.4171. 5193.977.3

102.0105.093.295.966.5

138 2101.5119.5103.7

95.0219.096.0

12fi 3104 6108.1

;38.2115.0

87.070.0

132.1108.6179 374.1

93.4

100.796.1

104.399.6

130.791.0

105.0117.0144.0110.1128.7

80.9122.1

120.092.896.4

114.4168.5186.485. f>

98.0101.088.690.540.7

116 894 4

122 167,8

92.0166.093.0

121 392 9

103. 2

137.1105.2

67.172.4

134.6110.7200 280.3

91 6

99.395 8

104 699.9

132.195 0

107 0119.0140 0106. ft121.4

95.299.8

121.492.892.2

114.9171.6190.085.3

99.0103. 090.291.940.596.582.9

105. 088.0

88.0120.086.0

122. 194.4

101.9

143.895.2

71.583.2

133.4111 6195.984.2

90.7

99.395.9

104.299.9

136.993.0

111.1,128.0147.0102.5107.4

96.892.7

123.292.886.5

116. 6171.1193.7120.9

107.0103.096.1

115.470.278.675 8

114.295.2

96.098.081.0

117.8101.5103.8

144.996.0

81.289.5

129.0115.0178.885.2

89.8

99.395.4

103.699.2

142.195.1

105.0113.0140.0104.6108.2

98.097.2

121.992.895.5

115.9169.1193.5112.3

111. 0103.097.1

117.098.170.886.7

111.6102.0

94.081.087.0

110.994.9

102.2

137.0103.7

81.692.1

130.0120.0159.176.8

91.2

97.895.5

101.398.4

149.697.0

105.0116.0142.0108.797.8

101.895.7

120.992.896.0

115.8164.7191.2106.3

110.0105.0107.1130.4125.282.396.3

113.398.7

97.077.096.0

122.2100.9106.6

144. 5132.7

81.490.8

127.0120.0135.877.1

91.8

99.395.1

101.298.1

164.892.8

105.0113.0142.0117.8110.8

129.0105.8

123.395.895.6

115.7170.1204.8129.3

110.0103.0106.6124.5124.2108.498.4

102.382.0

95.081.096.0

117.573.9

105.7

136 7142.4

76.881.1

122.0119.0117.764.4

91.4

101.496.5

101.697.9

161.889.2

103.0117.0147.01C6.995.9

83.096.1

127.3101.690.9

116.0176.0210.482.5

May

110.0105.0109.9121.6129.0139.0101.2112.592.7

108.072.0

101.0122.584.1

111.8

142. 1143.5

73.971.6

116.0118.095.558.6

91.2

107.297.7

102.898.4

168.896.2

104.0132.0144.0109.6111.1

106.4105.2

126.9104.489.2

115.0178.9213.685.2

June July Aug. 1 Sept Oct. Nov.

110.099.0

103.1108.3120. 2140.697.499.587.1

116.052.097.0

118.182.6

111.0

139.8142.2

75.276.2

109.0119.074.752.0

91.3

105.196.7

102.098.0

165.489.2

104.0144.0153.098.2

102.3

127.0100.0

128.4113.284.7

112.3169.6202.166.0

111.0101.0102.8110.3118.7140.492.785.780.4

108.087.088.0

122.983.3

111. 3

142.4123.7

77.174.8

104V0117.058.648.5

90.3

105.197.4

102.1es.o

140.493.7

108.0153.0148.098.499.8

82.0105.0

126.6119.088.9

110.9170.3206.169.8

113.0105.0105.0120.9139.7150.790.4

102.695.2

97.0114.090.0

126.894.4

116.7

149 8118.8

74.775.9

107.0114.052.448.4

91.7

100.798.0

103.098.0

149.998.5

106.0160.0144.0107.3100.1

102.9113. G

125.6124.890.0

109.8173.8213.4137.3

116.0108.0102.5120.0125. 8143.779.195.9

"92.0

178.078.0

124.594.8

118.8

145.2114. 2

74.777.4

115.2109.389.545.8

93.1

102.299.2

105.499.3

156.994.1

120.0154.0165. 099.0

111.1

132.4117.3

127.3130. 686.5

111.0178.5226.980.1

114.0114.0112 9134 5120 3141. 1

120.6108.6

102.0251. 084.0

129.8115.6131.1

158.0119.1

71.578 6

132.2108.7155.140.3

93.9

99 396 9

104 899 3

161 094 8

105. 0140 0148 0110.0145.1

852129.2

128 3127.6870

111 3176 4234.5fc2 5

111.0114.0110.5123 277.8

121 2

119.0 |105.7 !

92.0178 0

123.4105 7129.6

154.6111.1

72 976 9

135.6112.1181.446 1

93 5

97 1f 5 8

105 199.3

165 196.9

107.0141.0151.0101.2143 8

105 8

129 8124.884 5

112 0186 0252 695.8

* Seasonal adjustments.


BUSINESS CONDITIONS IN NOVEMBERPRODUCTION

Industrial production during November, accordingto the weighted index of the Federal Reserve Board,showed a decline from the preceding month, afteradjustment for seasonal changes, but was 13 per centhigher than a year ago. The principal gains over lastyear occurred in automobiles, iron and steel, nonfer-rous metals, and rubber tires, where the increases weremore than 15 per cent. Mineral production, afteradjustment for seasonal conditions, also showed adecline from the previous month and a gain over lastyear.

last year, all groups showed larger unfilled orders,except textiles, which were lower.

Wholesale trade in November was larger than ayear ago, all lines showing larger sales volume thana year ago, except boots and shoes and women's cloth-ing, which declined, and groceries, which showed nochange. The largest gains over last year in wholesaletrade were registered by meats and furniture.

Sales by department stores showed no change fromthe preceding year, but were fractionally lower thanin October. Merchandise stocks held by departmentstores at the end of November were greater than in

PRODUCTION, STOCKS, AND UNFILLED ORDERS FOR MANUFACTURED COMMODITIES[1923-1925 monthly average=100. Adjustment has been made for the seasonal movement and relative number of working days for production. Unfilled orders are

principally those of iron, steel, building materials, and textiles. November, 1928, is the latest month plotted]

1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928COMMODITY STOCKS

Stocks of commodities held at the end of Novemberwere higher than at the end of either the previousmonth or November a year ago. The increase overlast year was due to slightly larger stocks of manu-factured goods, raw materials showing no change ininventories.

SALES

The general index of unfilled orders was higher thanat the end of either the previous month or November,1927. As compared with October, all groups showedlarger forward business except transportation equip-ment, which declined. Contrasted with November of

the previous month, but smaller than a year ago.Mail-order houses showed larger sales volume thanin November of last year, but registered the usualseasonal decline from the preceding month.

Chain 10-cent stores likewise reflected gains over ayear ago and a seasonal decline from the previousmonth. Sales by shoe chains were greater than ineither prior period. Grocery chains showed largersales volume than a year ago, but a decline from thepreceding month, while wearing-apparel chains, show-ing no change from the previous month, recordedlarger business than a year ago. Other chain-storetypes, including drugs, cigars, and candy, reflectedlarger business than a year ago.Digitized for FRASER


PRICESWholesale prices, although lower than in October,

showed no change from the last year. As com-pared with October, all groups were lower in priceexcept metals and metal products, and building ma-terials, which advanced. Contrasted with a yearago, declines in the prices for farm products, foods,textiles, chemicals, and house-furnishing goods wereoffset by increases for- hides and leather products,fuel and lighting, metals and metal products, and build-ing materials. Classified by State of manufacture,all groups showed declines from the previous monthexcept semimanufactured articles. As compared withlast year, the decline in raw materials was offset bythe advance in prices for finished products. Commer-cial indexes showed higher prices to have prevailedin November than in the preceding month.

The index of prices received by farmers for theirproduce was lower in November than in either thepreceding month or November, 1927. The increaseover October in prices for dairy and poultry productsand certain unclassified items was insufficient to offsetdeclines in grains, fruits and vegetables, meat animals,and cotton. Increases over a year ago in prices formeat animals and dairy and poultry products wereinsufficient to offset declines in the remaining groups.

The cost-of-living index was no higher than in theprevious month but showed a change from a year ago.Food prices were higher than in either period.

EMPLOYMENT

Industrial employment, as reflected by the'generalindex of the Department of Labor, showed practicallyno change from the preceding month, but was higherthan a year ago. Compared with October, larger em-ployment was registered in the textile, iron and steel,paper and printing, and nonferrous metal industries,while declines were recorded in leather, stone, clayand glass, and vehicle factories. Contrasted with lastyear, all industrial groups showed larger employmentexcept textiles, leather, stone, clay and glass, and to-bacco products, which declined, and paper and print-ing, which showed no change.. Employment data from several States showed moreemployees on the pay roll than in the precedingmonth for Massachusetts and New Jersey, with de-clines from October registered for New York State,Maryland, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Con-trasted with last year, employment was greater in No-vember, in the aforementioned States, except Massa-chusetts, New York, and Maryland.

Factory pay-roll payments in November showed a de-cline from the previous month, due to the shorter month,but were 4 per cent greater than a year ago. All groupsshowed smaller payments than in October, except paperand printing and nonferrous metals, which had largerpayments. As compared with a year ago, all industrialgroups showed gains except textiles, lumber, leather,stone, clay and glass, and tobacco products.

WEIGHTED PRICES FOR WHEAT

N0.2 RED WINTER, ST LOUIS

I 1.00

^^

, , ! , , 1 i , 1 , i

v\^-x

, , 1 , . 1 1 , 1 1 ,'^

, , I , , 1 , , 1 , ,~"^ s-

1 . 1 , , 1 1 1 1 1 .

/

- /i . ! i , 1 i , 1 i i

x-v--'

I , 1 , , 1 , , 1 , ,

X.

i , i . , i , 1 1 1 ,

^^^"" ***

f\" V-

NO. 2 HARD WINTER, KANSAS CITY

*..

, , 1 , , 1 , , 1 , ,

v\** *

, 1 1 1 1 1 1 , 1 , ,

..--.

i , 1 , , ! , , 1 . , , ! , , ! , ; ! , ,

/

I , I , , 1 I 1 1 1 , 1 1 . , 1 , , 1 . 1

..

"""*.

, , 1 , , 1 , , 1 , ,

'.'*"-.. ...

. , ! . , 1 , , 1 . ,

"""" \

, , 1 . i 1 . , 1 . . , , 1 , i 1 , , 1 , .1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929

NOTE.The data presented on wheat prices have been changed, in cooperation with the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of the U. S. Department of Agricul-ture, to show average prices of cash sales of the most'important types of wheat in the three leading primary markets in the producing centers. This chart showsthe movements of these prices monthly since the beginning of 1920. The numerical data since the beginning of 1909 are shown on page 18 of this issue.


6Wages for common labor showed no change fromthe previous month but averaged higher than a yearago. Industrial lay-offs in November were consid-erably smaller than in either the previous month or

November of last year. Industrial accessions, thoughsmaller than in October, were substantially largerthan a year ago. Discharges were smaller than inOctober but greater than in November, 1927.

WHOLESALE PRICES FOR SPECIFIED COMMODITIES[Relative numbers, 1926 monthly average taken as 100. November, 1928, is latest month plotted. Data from which these charts are drawn are given on the opposite page]

WHEAT .WINTER FLOUR, WINTER CORN, NO. 2T~

OATS

HAMS, SMOKED

120 c

SUGAR, RAW

L.LLSUGAR GRAN U LATE D COTTONSEED OIL RUBBER.CRUDE

*k^5:.8 4ao 4 u * .5.4 4 'V'j*-i- , ,. *'

COTTON, RAW COTTON YARN COTTON PRINT CLOTHf 43.4 43.4 7885

8373

9797381078894

October,' Novem-1927 i ber, 1927

84125531391351178697

82871161161191051341201021509080101

1081049212813276107107

1121151209897959583

168125113126102102

97103977166

8471

i9792711048894

8288114119121111116116104167778399

85911071028913113771111107

107109119989795

172132113126102102

96100976965

78

8171

9789781078894 i


8NEW BUILDING CONTRACTS AND AUTOMOBILE PRODUCTION[Relative numbers, monthly average, 1923-1925, taken as 100]

MINERAL PRODUCTION AND RAILROAD TON-MILEAGE[Relative numbers, monthly average, 1923-1925, taken as 100]

1928

FACTORY EMPLOYMENT, MANUFACTURING, AND ELECTRIC-POWER PRODUCTION[Relative numbers, monthly average, 1923-1925, taken as 100]

1928


9REVIEW OF PRINCIPAL BRANCHES

TEXTILESImports of wool showed a substantial decline from

November, 1927. Consumption of wool in Novemberwas somewhat smaller than in October but showed again over November of last year. Woolen machinerywas generally more active than in the preceding monthor the corresponding month a year ago. Prices forwool averaged higher than in either the previous monthor November, 1927.

Cotton consumption showed declines from boththe previous month and November of last year. Forthe first 11 months of the year consumption of cottonwas 12 per cent smaller than in the same period of1927. Stocks of cotton held at the end of November,

OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCEdecline from the previous month but were larger thanlast year, while for the 11 months ended in November,silk deliveries were almost 4 per cent larger than inthe same period of 1927. Stocks of raw silk, heldboth at warehouses and manufacturing plants, werelower than a year ago. More narrow looms wereactive than in October but smaller activity was regis-tered in broad looms and spinning spindles. Theprice of raw silk averaged lower than in October butwas higher than a year ago. Prices for silk goodswere somewhat lower than in November of last year,showing only slight change in the preceding month.Imports of rayon were substantially lower than inNovember, 1927, while for the year to date, rayon

THE TEXTILE INDUSTRIES[Relative numbers, monthly average, 1923-1925, taken as 100. Where available, November, 1928, is latest month plotted]

BOL1923

1 1 1 1 1 11924

, I . . I . . I.. I . . I . . I.., I,.1927 1928

both at mills and in public storage, were 9 per centsmaller than a year ago. Raw-cotton exports showgains over both periods. Cotton prices at wholesalewere generally higher than in October but showeda decline from a year ago.

Cotton-spindle activity, reduced to a ratio tocapacity, showed gains in November over both thepreceding month and November of last year. Theoutput of cotton textiles also showed gains over bothperiods. Prices of cotton goods were somewhathigher than in October but showed declines in theprevious year.

Silk imports were greater than a year ago. Deliv-eries of silk to consuming establishments showed a

2754129 2

imports showed a decline from the same period oflast year amounting to more than 23 per cent. Rayonprices were unchanged from either the previous monthor November a year ago.

Fewer men's and boys' suits were cut in Octoberthan in either the previous month or October of lastyear. Hosiery production in October was greaterthan in September but showed a decline from thesame month of a year earlier.

Production of knit underwear in October was largerthan in either the preceding month or October a yearago. Shipments of underwear also showed gainsover both periods. Textiles spread with pyroxylinshowed a considerable gain over a year ago.Digitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

10

METALS

Iron-ore shipments from the mines were largerthan last year. Pig-iron production, though showinga decline from October, was considerably greater thanlast year. For the 11 months ended November, pig-iron output was 3 per cent larger than in the sameperiod of 1927. Wholesale prices for pig iron continuedto average higher as compared with both prior periods.

The production of steel ingots, although showing adecline from October, was substantially greater thana year ago, while for the first 11 months of the year,steel-ingot output showed a gain over the same period

of the year showed a gain of 9 per cent over the sameperiod of last year.

New orders for machine tools continued to registeradvances over both the preceding month and thecorresponding period of 1927. Unfilled orders formachine tools were more than twice as large as a yearago. New orders for foundry equipment, as well asshipments, also showed gains over both periods.Sales of mechanical stokers in November were largerthan in either the preceding month or the samemonth of last year. Shipments of electric overheadcranes, though showing a decline from October, werelarger than last year. Shipments of motorized fire-

1 THE METAL INDUSTRIESRelative numbers, monthly average, 1923-1925, taken as 100. November, 1928, is latest month plotted. Curve covering zinc stocks is plotted from 12 months' moving

monthly averages plotted on the end month]

EXPORTS, REFINEDl\ I i ^rnuuuwnuN j

M\ AI SI/.. V .v \ / v |v -,...-

1923 1924 1926 1926 1927 1928 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928160

r

1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1923 S924 1925 1926 1927 S928

of 1927, amounting to 14 per cent. Unfilled steelorders at the end of November were somewhat lowerthan in the previous month but were greater thana year ago. The output of steel sheets by inde-pendent manufacturers showed a decline from Octoberbut was larger than a year ago, with the total forthe 11 months ended November showing a gainof more than 20 per cent over the same period oflast year.

The production of steel castings, though decliningfrom October, was greater than in November, 1927.

New orders of structural steel were greater than ineither the previous month or November a year ago.Shipments of structural steel for the first 11 months

fighting equipment, though showing a decline fromthe previous month, were larger than last year.

The mine output of copper showed a decline fromOctober but was greater than a year ago, with thetotal for the first 11 months showing a gain of 8 percent over the same period of last year. Stocks ofblister copper in North and South America at the endof November were somewhat larger than a year ago.Exports of refined copper were considerably greaterthan last year while for the calendar year to date,copper exports showed a gain of about 8 per centover the same period of 1927. The wholesale price ofcopper continued to average higher as compared withboth the previous month and November of last year.


11FUELS

The production of bituminous coal was smallerthan in October but showed a gain over last year.The output of bituminous during the first 11 monthsshowed a decline of 6 per cent over the same period oflast year. Anthracite production was lower than inOctober but higher than a year ago, while for the yearto date, anthracite output showed a decline from lastyear amounting to 5 per cent.

AUTOMOBILES AND RUBBER

The total production of automobiles, both passengercars and trucks, was smaller than in October but wasalmost twice as large as in November a year ago.For the calendar year to date, the production of auto-mobiles, totaling 4,124,000, was 26 per cent greaterthan during the first 11 months of 1927. For the pe-

HIDES AND LEATHERImports of hides and skins in November were smaller

than a year ago, but for the first 11 months of the yeartotal imports showed a gain of about 15 per cent overthe corresponding period of 1927. Prices for cattlehides averaged lower than in either the previous monthor November of last year, while prices for calfskins,although averaging lower than in October, were largerthan in last year. The production of sole leather wasgreater than a year ago. Exports of sole and beltingleather showed gains over both the previous monthand November of last year. Prices for leather aver-aged lower than in October but were higher than a yearago. The output of shoes was smaller than in Octoberbut greater than a year ago. For the calendar yearto date, shoe production was about 1 per cent|greaterthan in the same period of 1927.

THE FUEL INDUSTRIES[Relative numbers, monthly average 1923-1925 taken as 100. November, 1928, is latest month plotted where data were available]

1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1923 1924 1925 1826 1927 1928.,

1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1923L-L.iJ-U-U.i-Lu-ijLjdj-lJ. I ! !,.

1925 1926 1927 1828

riod passenger-car production showed a gain of almost28 per cent, while the output of trucks showed anincrease of about 18 per cent. The production ofautomobile rims showed practically the same conditionreflected in the automobile industry.

Shipments of pneumatic tires in October weresmaller than in September but larger than a year ago.For the first 10 months of the year domestic shipmentsof pneumatic tires by manufacturers were 17 per cent

'-er than in the same period of 1927. Shipments ofduring the same period showed a gain of 6

1927.

PAPERThe output of newsprint paper in the United States

was larger than in either the preceding month orNovember of last year, but for the 11 months endedNovember, the total production was 6 per cent lowerthan in the same period of 1927. The Canadian out-put of newsprint in November also showed gains overboth prior periods, and for the 11 months ended No-vember was 14 per cent larger than during the corre-sponding period of last year. Stocks of newsprint atdomestic mills were greater than a year ago, whileCanadian mills showed smaller holdings.Digitized for FRASER


12BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

Building costs were generally higher than in eitherthe previous month or November a year ago. Pricesfor building materials were generally higher than ineither period. The value of new building contractsawarded, though showing a decline from October, wasgreater than a year ago, while for the 11 months endedNovember the total value of new contracts wasalmost 7 per cent ahead of the same period of 1927.

LUMBER AND LUMBER PRODUCTS

The output of southern pine lumber was smallerthan in November a year ago. Douglas fir productionalso showed declines from last year. The production

STONE AND CLAY PRODUCTSThe output of face brick was lower than in either

the previous month or November of last year, butshipments showed gains over both periods. Ship-ments of face brick during the first 11 months of theyear were 9 per cent larger than during the sameperiod of last year. Prices for common brick averagedlower than in October but were higher than a year ago.New orders for terra cotta showed declines from boththe previous month and the same month of last year.

The production of Portland cement, though de-clining from October, was greater than a year ago.Cement production during the 11 months endedNovember was 2 per cent larger than in the sameperiod of 1927.

THE AUTOMOBILE AND RUBBER INDUSTRIES[Relative numbers, monthly average 1923-1925 taken as 100. Where available, November, 1928, is latest month plotted]

1921 1922 1923

500

192!i i i i i n i1923 1924 1925 1926 192'

M n l n l i i ' i i l i:7 1928

1925 1926 1927 1928 1921 1922 1923 I92 591197, 08625, 75820, 747

.236

.275

717369

2,5451,196

10514062

1,46325, 701

89, 50872, 439

996.67

73, 150

147, 602253, 854

9,000.57

34, 974331

6.75

5.00

4.15237, 043

114, 668138, 309147, 61117, 233

222, 116221,00844, 682

120, 4632.53

115, 94077

200, 656162, 184

114, 539198, 894173, 872

179, 334

40, 83852, 108

209, 04439, 744

3.25

Septem-ber

34, 4482,707

18, 5046,7284,902

249, 272203, 22724, 05921, 986

.246

.275

764352

2,5081,307

9616186

1,32423, 510

85, 99072, 243

733.65

66, 380

146, 010247, 386

9,093.57

31, 000275

6.75

5.00

4.15213, 945

108, 166122, 771133, 00621, 953

201, 646204, 37842, 510

124, 0482.53

102, 85274

185, 059169, 625

107, 894194, 233164, 648

170, 840

35, 68743, 800

191, 28748, 229

3.25

October

35, 9823,318

17, 8837,9933,785

253, 921209, 90223, 11820, 901

.219

.246

801405

3,7131,409

111200142

5 1, 44725, 711

83, 38875, 188

825.63

72,092

143, 265251, 35011, 174

.55

33, 300340

6.75

5.00

4.15236, 907

131. 558146, 382118, 18223, 884

228, 434231. 8005 40. 032149, 112

2.53

121, 61381

216, 602189, 240

120, 927221, 742200, 362

214, 228

36, 38037, 018

188, 98045, 289

3.25

Novem-ber

24, 7201,900

10, 1035,7734,517

.203

.242

762378

4,4551,189

106232135

1,249

1,063.59

10, 268.49

403

6.75

5.00

4.15

148, 089145, 443120, 82819, 627

219, 648218, 13241, 980

126, 7902.53

123, 785

223, 645

122, 880233, 280201, 416

196, 187

34, 69126, 254

3.25

1937

October

36, 3563,699

21, 5615,7003,195

248, 187200, 22027, 94220, 025

.233

.218

895413

2,9691,194

117208138

1,32524, 230

79, 60060, 811

800.55

70, 081

147, 790244, 268

12, 177.51

32, 267376

6.50

5.00

4.00244, 090

121, 051130, 465147, 16021, 190

213, 472213, 52438, 234

133, 1702.53

113, 12677

191,171184, 805

116,885188, 769175, 484

159, 284

27, 93935, 774

214, 87245, 789

3.25

Novem-ber

37, 3283,717

20, 6346,5854,676

249, 673203, 146

26, 97319, 554

.242

.228

881411

3,688!1, 070

132248133

1,24622, 704

79, 66959, 163

719.55

66, 056

148, 978250, 364

16, 530.51

25, 973433

6.50

5.00

4.00225, 779

137, 245143, 220158, 71728, 308

214, 936213, 77241, 552

142, 7362.53

117, 16679

190, 293185, 202

116,468187, 766188, 624

179, 969

28, 54338, 074

214, 63946, 176

3.25

PER CENT IN-CREASE (+) ORDECREASE ( )

Nov.,1928,fromOct.,1928

-31.3-42.7-43.5-27.8+19.3

-7.3-1.6

-4.9-6.7

+20.0-15.6-4.5

+16.0-4.9

-13. 7

+28.8-6.3

-8.1-10.9

+18.5

0.00.00.0

+12.6-0.6+2.2

-17.8-3.8-5.9+4.9

-15.00.0

+1.8+3.3

+1.6+5.2+0.5-8.4

-4.6-29.1

0.0

Nov.,1928,fromNov.,1927

-33.8-48.9-51.0-12.3-3.4

-16.1+6.1

-13.5-8.0

+20.8+11.1-19.7-6.5-4.9

+0.2

+47.8+7.3

-37.9-3.9

-6.9

+3.80.0

+3.8

+7.9+1.6

-23.9-30. 7+2.2+2.0+1.0

11. ^

+5.6+17.5

+5.5+24.2+6.8+9.0

+21.531.0

6.6

CUMULATIVE TOTALFROM JAN. 1

THROUGH NOV. 30

1937

407, 96541, 031

212, 76875, 96853, 567

8,7584,502

38, 76711, 789

1,0692,286

575

14, 5866 251, 064

8,909

6 670, 842

133, 768

6 294, 1105,133

6 2, 205, 991

1, 455, 8961, 515, 084

220, 623

2, 377, 6042, 375, 102

1, 277, 406

1, 365, 988

1, 900, 5136 1, 708, 743

1, 350, 4431, 876, 6611, 806, 395

1, 712, 664

1938

475, 52237, 081

262, 36384,22859, 149

7,8004,339

43, 93212, 434

1,0442,309

589

14, 9098 246, 613

9,401

6 684, 906

124, 529

6 295, 9073,976

6 2, 149, 070

1, 473, 1031, 511, 579

223, 708

2, 371, 2762, 379, 434

1, 313, 973

1, 289, 498

2, 173, 527 1, 734, 214

1,271,3742, 181, 4951, 947, 203

1,993,425

Per ct.in-

crease

or de-crease

cumulative1928from1927

+16.6-9.6

+23.3+10.9+10.4

-10.9-3.6

+13.3+5.5

-2.3+1.0+2.4

+2.2-1.8

+5.5

+2.1

-6.9

+0.6-22.5

-2.6

+1.2-0.2

+1.4

-0.3+0.2

+2.9

-5.6

+14.4+1.5

-5.9+16.2+7.8

+16.4

Revised. 8 Cumulative through Oct. 31.Digitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

30

TREND OF BUSINESS MOVEMENTSContinued

The cumulatives shown are throughNovember, except where otherwisenoted. Earlier data for items shownhere may be found on pages 28 to 137of the August, 1928, "Survey"

PAPER AND PRINTING ContinuedPrinting

Book publication:American manufacture no. of titles..Imported ...no. of titles..

Sales books:New orders thous. of booksShipments thous. of books

Printing activity weighted index number..Cash checks, shipments thous. of checks..Blank forms, new orders thous. of sets. .

Box BoardOperation thous. of inch hoursOperation per ct. of capacitvProduction short tons__New orders short tonsUnfilled orders, end of month short tons..Consumption of waste paper short tons...Shipments short tonsStocks, end of month.. _ short tons .Stocks of waste paper, end of month:

On hand short tonsIn transit and unshipped purchases, .tons. _

Other PaperBinder's board, production short tons..Book paper:

Production _ short tonsRatio to capacity per cent..

Shipments . . . short tonsStocks, end of month short tons..New orders-

Coated p. ct. of normal production..Uncoated.p. ct. of normal production..Coated. _ p. ct. of normal production..Uncoated.p. ct. of normal production..

Wrapping paper:Production . . .short tons

Ratio to capacity percent _Shipments short tonsStocks, end of month short tons..

Fine paper:Production short tons

Ratio to capacity per cent..Shipments short tonsStocks, end of month short tons..

All other grades:Production short tonsShipments short tonsStocks, end of month short tons..

Total paper (inc. newsprint and box board) :Production . short tons

Ratio to capacity per cent.Shipments short tons. .Stocks, end of month _ .short tons

Paper Board Shipping BoxesProduction:

Total thous. of sq. ft..Corrugated. _ _ .thous. of sq. ftSolid fiber thous. of sq ft

Operating activity:Total per cent of normal..Corrugated ...per cent of normalSolid fiber. per cent of normal..

Other Paper ProductsRope paper sacks, shipments .__rel. to 1921-22..Abrasive paper and cloth:

Domestic sales reams. _Foreign sales _ reams

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ANDHOUSING

Rental advertisements, Minneapolis, .number..Building Costs

Building materials:Frame house, 6-room rel. to 1913Brick house, 6-room rel. to 1913

Concrete factory costs (Aberthaw) _ _ rel. to 1914_.Building costs (Eng. News Record) _rel. to 1913Building costs (A. G. C.) rel. to 1913Plumbing fixtures, 6 pieces dollars..Construction costs (Am. Appraisal):

Frame rel. to 1913..Brick, wood frame rel. to 1913. _Brick, steel frame rel. to 1913. .

Reinforced concrete rel. to 1913..

1928

July

555128

12, 0989,986

9670, 71048, 963

7,99276. 2

201, 153209, 976

79, 492190, 810203, 74149, 969

132, 26562, 056

2,153

117, 49280

118,31488, 491

7780

108

88, 47786

94, 22892, 467

33, 98480

34, 56253, 156

95, 45496, 05670, 575

646, 86377

656, 498396, 044

404, 520235, 73268, 788

727175

89

81, 68917, 657

4,060

175181191207198

100. 09

204213198201

August

551169

12, 53813, 738

9768, 48258, 108

9, 23681.6

230, 750236, 68281,816

213, 626233, 10447, 709

117, 00948, 108

3,092

130, 41689

133, 02485, 836

7779

87

100, 77989

100, 17493, 340

39, 33184

38, 93853, 535

110, 677109, 15472, 438

727, 89378

728, 933393, 696

441, 792364, 75677, 036

797784

111

99, 78917, 875

7,712

177181191207200

101. 21

204213198201

Septem-ber

835261

11,83711,976

10585, 48950, 114

8,34483.0

224, 971234, 44987, 097

237, 361228, 88045, 271

116, 19753, 344

2,431

117, 37486

120, 89582, 403

8180

10

83, 58284

86, 17391, 977

34, 88580

34, 88553, 361

100, 138102, 43770, 140

663, 80284

681, 164378, 839

434, 371359, 553

74, 818

797880

102

95, 13118, 281

7,930

177181191208201

101. 13

204213198201

October

933160

13, 95814, 605

11386, 88967, 957

9,32181.9

243, 664238, 720

81, 298239, 276244, 86243, 167

127, 31172, 960

2,644

132, 63387

133, 42981, 579

8386

108

96, 05385

94, 90093, 416

39, 68084

3 39, 83953, 788

5 112, 529115, 56361, 422

5 746, 172

835 749, 520369, 752

454, 662374, 34280, 320

888983

113

98, 57620, 085

6,454

179184191209202

100. 67

204213197201

Novem-ber

765104

12,73013, 080

81, 20459, 429

8,43080.0

240, 840243, 59189, 741

218, 278237, 34147,661

126, 78048, 707

127, 32890

125, 80083, 211

8480

107

91, 24987

87, 69096, 979

38, 41888

57,61154, 395

105, 772104, 44863, 578

727, 39292

715, 770380, 518

454, 354370, 30284, 052

828279

4,886

177182190210202

100. 79

204213197201

1927

October

891143

13, 85112, 898

10571, 62537, 258

8,80380.8

224, 195220, 215102, 810219, 627226, 64741, 630

126, 04057, 936

2,537

109, 39183

110, 81374, 234

7685

89

92, 79587

92, 42480, 907

38, 81492

38, 89250, 903

103, 058103, 040

72, 594

681, 37981

688, 701348, 253

427, 263348, 835

78, 428

858583

85, 15518, 389

6,711

181185191202201

104. 71

205215196201

Novem-ber

738102

12, 12613, 086

10482, 09336, 614

8,30879 3

213, 056184, 55176, 032

203, 962218, 830

41, 105

128, 63950, 276

2,400

111,57985

109, 34776, 461

7777

98

93, 47982

91, 32979, 653

36, 66587

37, 39850, 173

98, 74999, 25169, 106

670, 69479

666, 623345, 041

395, 491320, 51174, 980

777681

72, 72616, 392

4,290

180184191204200

104. 33

205215196200



i

-18.0-35.0-8.8

-10.4n e

-12.' 5

-9.62 3-1.2+2.0

+10.4-8.8-3. J

+ 10.4

-0.4-3.2

-4.0+3. 4-5.7+2.0+1.2-7.0

0.0-12.5-5.0+2.4-7.6+3.8-3.2+4.8-5.6+ 1.1-6.0-9.6+3.5-2.5

+10.8-4.5+2.9

-0.1-1.1+4.1

-6.8-7.9-4.8

24 3

-1.1-1.1

0 5+0.5

0.0+0.1

0.00.00.00.0


+3.7+2.0

+5.00.0

-1.1+62.3

+1.5+0 9

+13.0+32.0+18.0+7.0+8.5

+16.0-1.4+3.1

+14.1+5 9

+15.0+8.8+9.1+3.9

+ 11.1-12.5-2.4+6.1

/j Q+21.8+4.8+ 1.1+0.6+8.4+7.1+5.2-8.0+8.5

+16.5+7.4

+10.3

+ 14.9+ 15. 5+12.1+6.5+7.9-2.5

+13.9

-1.7-1.1

0 5+2.9+1.0-3.4-0.5-0.9+0.5+0.5


THROUGH NOV. 30

1927

8,0191,252

134, 928130, 23S

842, 048370, 033

89, 200

2. 289, 0962, 295, 882

2, 882, 4982, 196, 023

6 25, 34G

1, 221, 088

1, 210, 791

998, 292

972, 247

408, 581

410, 594

1, 100, 1761, 095, 621

7, 383, 222

7, 337, 389

4, 377, 8733, 512, 054

865, 819

e 848, 9906 160, 170

57, 679

1928

7,69i'1, 599

137, 681135, 480

858, 904547, 815

93, 383

?, 476, 5852, 491, 672

2, 914, 3302, 329, 825

6 30, 750

1, 386, 040

1, 378, 148

1, 031, 344

1, 019, 504

424, 455_ ..

420, 417

1,139,9731, 134, 729

7, 716, 314

7,696,178

4, 596, 422'3, 599, 829;

847, 934

1

6 901, 1906 185, 144

54, 951

Per ct.in-

crease

or de-crease

cumu-lative1928from1927

-4.1+27.7

+2.0+4.0

+2.0+48.0

+4.7

+8.2

+1.1+6.1

+21. 3

+13.5

+13.8

+3.3

+4.9

+3.9

+2.4

+3.6+3.6

+4.9

-4.9

+5.0+2.5+2.1

+6.1+15.6

-4.7

r ~ "

5 Revised. 3

Cumulative through Oct. 31.Digitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

31



BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ANDHOUSING Continued

Contracts and Losses

Contracts awarded (36 States):Commercial buildings thous. of sq. ft..Industrial buildings thous. of sq. f t _ _Residential buildings thous. of sq. f t_ .Educational buildings thous. of sq. f t_ .Other public and semi-

public buildings thous. of sq. ft-.Grand total thous. of sq. f t_ .

Contracts awarded, value (36 States):Commercial buildings thous. of dolls -Industrial buildings thous. of dollsResidential buildings thous. of dollsEducational buildings thous. of dolls. .Other public and semi-

public buildings . _ .thous. of dolls _.Public works and utilities.. .thous. of dolls _ _

Grand total thous. of dollsContracts awarded, Canada thous. of dolls. -Building volume (A. G. C.) . rel. to 1913. .Fire losses:

United States and Canada(Journal of Commerce) thous. of dolls. _

Canada (Monetary Times) .thous. of dolls ..LUMBER PRODUCTS

Softwood Lumber

Southern pine:Production (computed) _.M ft. b. m_.Operation per cent of full time__Shipments (computed) ... M ft. b. m__New orders (computed) M ft. b. m. .Stocks, end of mo. (computed) __M ft. b. m__Unfilled orders,end mo, (comp,) M ft. b. mExports, lumber M ft. b. mExports, timber - _ _ M ft. b. mPrice flooring dolls, per M ft. b. m

Douglas fir:Production (computed) M ft . b . m. .Shipments (computed) M ft. b. mNew orders (computed) M ft . b . m. .Unfilled orders (computed) M ft. b. m..Exports lumber M ft. b. mExports, timber M ft. b. m..Price, No. 1 common. .dolls, per M ft. b m._Price, flooring, 1x4, "B" and

better V G dolls per M ft b mCalifornia redwood:

Production (computed) M ft. b. m..Shipments (computed) M ft. b. m__New orders (computed) M ft. b. m _ _Unfilled orders, end mo. (comp.).M ft.b.m..

California white pine: *Production M ft. b. mShipments M ft. b. m__Stocks, end of month M ft. b. mNew orders M ft. b. mUnfilled orders, end of month.. M ft. b. m__

Western pine:Production (computed) M ft. b. mShipments (computed) M ft. b. m__Stocks, end of mo. (computed) _M ft. b. m_.Unfilled orders, end of mo.

(computed) M ft. b. mNorth Carolina pine:

Production (computed) M ft. b. m._Shipments (computed) M ft. b. m__New orders M ft. b. m

Northern pine:Lumber-

Production M ft. b. mShipments M ft. b. mNew Orders M ft. b. m

Lath-Production thousandsS hipments _ thousands

Northern hemlock:Production M ft. b. mShipments M ft. b. m

Hardwood Lumber

Walnut lumber:Production M ft. b. mShipments M ft b mStocks, end of month M ft. b. mNew orders M ft. b. mUnfilled orders, end of month. M ft. b. m _ _

1928

July

16, 8356,214

43,0935,586

6,60578, 778

93, 14431, 193

221, 34535,315

50, 380132, 853564, 22938, 36C

237

17, 1061,491

405, 9378?

435, 223434, Del

1, 063, 109335, 83662, 09412, 30236.16

415,417484, 80?453, 467456, 601

54, 18145,471

16.99

36.12

30,09229,61531, 62C48, 91C

123, 923105, 482506, 11996, 433

190, 185

190, 727166, 087833, 576

118,791

44, 47148, 43343, 190

52, 38448, 30041, 820

13, 4769,734

16, 34818, 920

2,5272,742

13, 1162,7315.088

August

11,9748,548

42, 8595,418

6,39278, 638

57, 17841,318

207, 52133, 559

45, 470114, 714499, 76C39, 448

239

17, 7242, 35P

425, 49387

468, 67?479, 370

1, 019, 050339, 03S43, 287

7, 46536.34

358, 566389, 454381, 39P257, 84f

59, 23640, 837

17. 75

37.19

41, 13743, 98339, 85545, 093

145, 491118, 310516, 764102, 805181,014

175, 978182, 662905, 298

113, 660

45, 43748, 64349, 560

57, 33547, 75541, 435

12, 31811, 099

20, 44922, 661

2,9312,863

13, 1662,9905.270

Septem-ber

11, 44210, 34838, 7445,6516,278

73, 146

58, 525112, 925196, 85037, 088

51,317115, 808572, 51345, 439

266

17, 1831,739

386, 67188

423, 218434, 884991, 781340, 87540, 83714, 89737.73

296, 343315, 144322, 754293, 657

64, 26544, 264

17.32

38.85

34, 32933, 10733, 51947, 916

122, 708105, 24(538, 13C

86, 716188, 747

37, 45739, 90050, 890

51, 61844, 61844, 209

12, 4198,897

15, 31519, 951

2,7493,299

12, 6252,6354.741

October

13, 1949,705

48, 2984,876

6,77782, 906

63, 26361, 170

234, 65430, 746

46, 820146, 041582, 69344, 585

243

22, 4141,795

427, 62390

464, 558444, 566954, 846320, 88375, 50414, 10437.73

337, 527301, 267302, 610297 68665, 79539, 330

18. 06

40.61

27, 85132, 74433, 11540, 350

126, 086119, 074552, 422100, 760183, 493

48, 09051, 59058, 870

55, 03151, 37841, 109

11, 7778,937

16, 42521, 042

2,8573,419

12, 2494,1745.483

Novem-ber

13,0506,518

40, 5324,290

5,21870, 599

65, 46935, 434

194, 02828, 719

39, 14588, 503

452, 23429, 038

222

' 22, 2881,662

396, 25686

413, 295392, 674952, 395300, 26261, 759

7,56237.98

60, 947 i47, 598|

17.92

40. 88

45, 83438, 71538, 84832, 783 1

107, 50194, 587

562, 528 !81, 755;

181, 665|

51, 54849, 19658, 310

26, 71841, 30830, 282

5,2306,560

2,8063,478

11, 6683,0335.117

1927

October

11,8215, 544

45, 6084,103

6,39373, 765

77, 72650, 370

236, 87029, 699

48, 555105, 932549, 15247, 135

222

22, 3271,778

438, 70S

446, 69f453,811

1, 190, 112346, 71548, 63717, 54237.98

538, 96491, 07C464,21]

56, 20415,498

15.17

43, 14?42, 67f36, 49245, 431

109, 49G111, 508623, 67197, 683

189, 947

134, 691153, 019

1, 069, 825

57, 29556, 13342, 560

41, 14839, 17533, 698

9,0347,941

9,18817, 914

2, 9212,967

11, 7392,3356.982

Novem-ber

7,4516,382

41,0024, 477

6,01466, 560

41, 89349, 203

207, 30830, 642;45, 744 !68, 716

443, 50630, 260

215(

18, 9921, 309,

439, 773

442, 920 !436, 385i

1,194,404;305, 164;

43, 55018, 925 j36. 42|

497, 337411,389452, 124

61, 99947,711

15.48

35.08

52, 92540, 57S41, 37645, 962

92, 28982, 168

624, 65170, 343

222, 25S

118, 70^124, 083

1, 068, 630

53, 52250, 81347, 67C

32, 81c32, 85727, 569

6,1445, 377

11, 02C14, 261

3, 23^2,82^

12, 1493, 1276. 282



-1.1-32.8-16-1-12.0

-23.0-14.8

+3.5. -42. 1

-17.3-6.6

-16.4-39.4-22.434 g-S. 6

0.6-7.4

-7.3

11.0-11.7-0.3-6.4

-18.2-46.4-0.4


i

+75.1+2.1-1.1-4.,2

-13.2+6.1

+56. 3-28. 0:-6.4-6.3

-14.4+28.8+2.0;-4.0;+3.3

+17.4:+ 27. 0;

-9.9-6.7

-10.0-20.3-1.6

+41.8-15.3+3.2i

-7.4+21.0-0.8

+0.7

+64.6+18.2+17.3-18.8

-14.7-20.6+1.8

-18.9-1.0

+7.2-4.6-1.0

-51.4-19.6-26.3

-55.6-26.6

-1.8+1.7-4.7

-27.3-6.7

-1.7-0.2

+15.8+16 5-13.4!-4.6!-6.1

-28.7+16.5!+15.1-9.9

+ 16.2!-18.31

-3.7-3.2

+22.3

-18.6+25.7+9.8

-14.9+22.0

-13.2+23.2-4.0-3.0

-18.5


THROUGH NOV. 30

1927

123,06163, 689

435, 53049, 481

70, 591751,504

811,886447, 676

2, 287, 141346, 314

603,6961,121,0585, 619, 782

382, 269

288, 66220, 720

4, 754, 261

4, 740, 6474, 843, 073

658, 500165, 465

6 5,037 381

6 5, 097, 909

6 5, 087, 518

634, 783473, 395

451,285480, 709492, 520

1, 024, 1861, 037, 137

954, 166

565, 712565, 810454, 370

462, 138427, 040389, 988

114, 422115, 976

6 167, 7036 203, 199

32, 16932, 220

32, 624

1928

139, 40285, 446

512, 13856,490

65, 621867, 627

783, 204568, 956

2, 540, 380361,457

502, 4521,213,3605, 988, 976

453, 128

271, 76422, 633

4, 612, 464

4, 882, 6724,879,437

646, 670154,318

6 4, 325, 623e 4, 539, 2116 4, 680, 606

708, 552454,494

429, 262416, 329422, 449

1, 151, 3001, 124, 307

982, 863

540, 96f561, 035582, 720

477, 735467, 177425, 802

101, 26192, 223

e 166, 7126 171, 740

32, 05733, 32t

33, 203

Per ct.in-

crease(t}or de-

crease(-)

cumu-lative

1928from1927

+13.3+34.2+17.6+14.2

-7.0+15.5-3.5

+27.1+11.1+4.4

-16.8+8.2+6.6

+18.5

-5.9+9.2

-3.0

+3.0+ 0.8

1.8-0.7

-14.1-10.6-8.0

+11.6-4.0

-4.9-13.4-14.2

+12.4+8.4+3.0

-4.4-0.8

+28. 2

+3.4+9.4+9.2

-11.5-20.5-0.6

-15.5

-0.3+3.4

+1.8

6 Cumulative through Oct. 31. ' See table on p. 48 of the September, 1928, issue for earlier data.


32



LUMBER PRODUCTS-Continued

Hardwood Lumber Continued

Walnut logs:Purchased M ft. log measureMade into lumber and

veneer _ M ft. log measure. _Stocks, end of month M ft. log measure

Northern hardwoods:Production M ft. b. mShipments M ft. b. m

Lower Michigan hardwoods:Production _ _ _ _ _M ft. b. m._Shipments M ft. b. mStocks, end of month _M ft. b. m _

Gum:Stocks, total, end of month .mill. ft. b. m__Stocks, unsold, end of month.mill. ft. b. m__Unfilled orders, end of month.mill. ft. b. m__

Oak:Stocks, total, end of month.. mill. ft. b. m__Stocks, unsold, end of month.mill. ft. b. m__Unfilled orders, end of month.mill. ft. b. m__

All hardwoods:Production mill. ft. b. m__Shipments . . mill. ft. b. m__New orders mill. ft. b. m._Stocks, total, end month mill. ft. b. m_.Stocks, unsold, end month mill. ft. b. m._Unfilled orders, end month. ..mill. ft. b. m _ _

Production, 10 species M ft. b. mExports planks joists etc M ft. b. mRetail yards, Minneapolis district:

Sales M ft. b. mStocks, end of month M ft. b. m .

Retail yards, Kansas City district:Sales M ft. b. mStocks, end of month M ft. b. m _ _

Composite lumber prices:Hardwoods dolls, per M ft. b. m__Softwoods dolls, per M ft. b. m._

FlooringMaple flooring:

Production M ft. b mShipments M ft. b. mStocks, end of month.. M ft. b. m _ _New orders M ft. b. mUnfilled orders, end of month. _M ft. b. m__

Oak flooring:Production M ft. b. mShipments M f t b mStocks, end of month M ft. b. mNew orders M ft. b. m _ _Unfilled orders, end of month _.M ft. b. m__

Doors at Wholesale

Fir, manufacturing plants:Production number. _Shipments numberStocks, end of month number..New orders number..Unfilled orders, end of month number..

Wooden Furniture

Grand Rapids district:Unfilled orders, end of

month No. of days' production. _New orders No. of days' production..Shipments No. of days' productionOutstanding accounts, end of

month.. _ No. of days' sales..Cancellations per cent of new orders.Plant operation per cent of full time..

Piano benches and stools:New orders (average per firm) dollars..Unfilled orders, end of month

(average per firm) _ . _ dollarsShipments-

Value (average per firm) dollars ._Quantity (total) pieces. _

Plywood and Veneer

Douglas fir plywood:Production thous. of sq. ft. of surfaceShipments thous. of sq. ft. of surface. _New orders (sales). thous. of sq. ft. of surface..Unfilled orders, end of

month thous. of sq. ft. of surface. _Stocks, end of

month thous. of sq. ft. of surface..

1938

July

2,633

2, 5272,996

23, 67326, 194

5,4387,252

20, 605542419124

974809165244263262

2,7862,225

5472, 204, 457

185, 36815, 93787, 3455,679

44, 874

40.0628.81

7,7848,311

24, 6677,466

10, 07646, 06547, 83268, 85145, 97249, 912

434, 299431, 800302, 990327, 387470, 617

543122

485.0

88.0

4,662

1,183

4,9146,223

8,2188, 3878,782

7,494

7,251

August

2,736

2,5793,058

20, 07327, 5975,5027,349

23, 509543410132959800159263285289

2,7712,211

5572, 206, 862

162, 221

17, 63286, 807

6,14045, 32639.9829.00

8,4139,515

23, 2328,851

10, 18751, 52951, 86067, 86449, 42747, 026

314, 154344, 643267, 118227, 311344, 094

533031

567.0

92.06,396

2,323

5,2516,020

11, 09410, 98811, 0308,024

7,358

Septem-ber

2,274

2,6432,684

16, 62425, 0864,9156,467

20, 915529396133954775161270293293

2,7312,164

5661,927,716

170, 45717, 86084, 9846,497

45,529

39.9129.27

7,6757,929

22, 5547,110

10, 10645, 92645, 02068, 45643, 14147, 099

273, 076305, 555238, 399237, 769300, 106

49313065

9.0101.09,508

3,012

8,3439,826

9,4269,257

10, 2457,7157,309

October

2,702

2,6062,636

16, 72731,473

532398134918746171

285315323

2,7222,132

5892,119,283

204, 979

18, 24281, 0357,008

45, 36240.0530.36

8,2048,543

21, 3527,2307,940

51, 22545, 65272, 68938, 13241, 151

372, 158362, 004243, 946285, 147215, 872

383137

6510.0

103.09,929

3,1789,760

10, 972

13, 07912, 00312, 6546,628

7,704

Novem-ber

2,504

2,8882,359

2, 114, 273184, 05414, 31475, 8105,494

42, 50540.1930.73

8,7216,230

21, 9606,5377,157

45, 79437, 23280, 33143, 75348, 052

244, 857254, 110251, 837253, 418217, 608

7, 812

2, 3858,5949,790

9,2919, 1358, 3365, 3077, 749!

1927

October

2,549

2,8143,166

15, 48827, 623

5,3887,348

33, 532461351110975

i 794181383311326

2, 6642,126

5372, 374, 881

1 171, 074

15, 961i 80, 080

6,46743, 11440.0231.77

8 9, 5468 7, 913

25, 825s 7, 130s 7, 99745, 29245, 09177, 43842, 56326, 329

Novem-ber

3,5153,0353,646

15, 46924, 5565.1246,344

21, 350479364114

1,006809197360289296

2,7612,190

5732, 280, 430

167, 98612, 99075, 2716,719

41, 17639.0428.29

8,0735 6, 884

5 27, 149s 5, 9545 7, 65040, 19537, 34379, 89937, 97727, 965

412430

5811.0

100.014, 3955, 331

12, 93517, 401

45352859

13.099.0

12, 2914,883

12, 66716, 661




-7. 3i -28. 8+10. 8 -4. 8-10.5; -35.3

-0.2-10.2

-21.5-6.4

-21.6-6.3+0.3+1.2

+6.3-27.1+2.8-9.6-9.9

-10.6-18.4+10.5+14.7+ 16.8

34 229.8+3.2

11.1+0.8

-21.3

-25.0-11.9-10.8

29 0-23.9-34.1 19 9

+0.6

-7.3+9.6

+10.2+0.7

-18.2+3.2+2.9+8.6

+8.0-9.5

-19.1+9.8-6.4

+13.9-0.3+0.5

+15.2+71.8

-36.4

-51.2-32.2-41.2


THROUGH NOV. 30

1937

32, 55329, 086

e 311, 0608285,275

1938

27, 313

28, 197

6 301, 0756 276, 215

j1

25, 830, 3061, 991, 027

128, 777

65, 060

106, 939103, 53197, 695

24,446,1852, 115, 636

146, 598

63, 963

85, 53387, 340

84, 378

487, 452 492, 682478, 000 499, 343

465, 939 504, 530

| - - -

1

100, 035 77, 076

95, 842133, 933

75, 26392, 459;

Perct.in-

crease(+)

or de-crease(-)


-16.1-3.1

-3.2-3.2

"-5:4+6.3

+13.8

-1.7

-20.0-15.6-13.6

+1.1+4.5+8.3

+23.0

-21.5-31.0

5 Revised. s Cumulative through Oct. 31.


33TREND OF BUSINESS MOVEMENTSContinued

The tumulatives shown are throughNovember, except where otherwisenoted. Earlier data for items shownhere may be found on pages 28 to 137of the August, 1928, "Survey"

LUMBER PEODUCTS-ContinuedPlywood and Veneer Continued

Other plywood:New orders thous. of sq. ft. of surface. _Shipments thous. of sq. ft. of surfaceUnfilled orders, end of

month thous. of sq ft. of surfaceBushel baskets:

Production _ dozens..Shipments dozens..Stocks, end of month. _ _ dozens _

Rotary-cut veneer:Receipts number of carloadsPurchases. number of carloads . _

STONE, CLAY, AND GLASS PRODUCTSClay Products

Face brick, averages per plant:Production _ _ thousandsShipments thousands. _Stocks, end of month thousandsUnfilled orders, end of month.. thousands..

Common brick:Stocks, end of month-

Burned thousandsUnburned thousands

Shipments. .thousands. _Unfilled orders, end of month thousandsPlants closed down numberPrice, red, New York dolls, per thous

Porcelain plumbing fixtures:Net new orders piecesShipments pieces..Unfilled orders, end of month .pieces..Stocks, end of month ..pieces..

Vitreous china plumbing fixtures:New orders pieces. _Shipments pieces..Unfilled orders, end of month pieces..Stocks, end of month pieces

Terra cotta, new orders:Quantity net tons..Value thous. of dolls

Sand-lime brick:Production thousandsShipments by rail... .thousandsShipments by trucks _ thousandsStocks, end of month thousandsUnfilled orders, end of month. .thousands..

Portland CementProduction. thous. of bblsOperation per ct. of capacityShipments.. thous. of bbls..Stocks, end of month. thous. of bblsStocks, clinkers, end of month. .thous. of bbls..Wholesale prices, composite dolls, per bbl._

HighwaysConcrete pavements, new contracts:

Total _ thous. of sq. yds..Road thous. of sq. yds..

Federal-aid highways:Completed

Cost __ thous. of dollsDistance ... ..miles

Under construction, end of month. .miles..Plate Glass

Production, polished thous. of sq. ft..Glass Containers

Actual production:Quantity gross..Relation to capacity per cent

New Orders __ .gross..Shipments gross..Stocks, end of month _ .

A grossUnfilled orders, end of month gross

Illuminating GlasswareProduction:

Total _ number of turnsRatio to capacity per ct. of capacity..New orders per ct. of capacityShipments. _ .per ct. of capacity..Unfilled orders, end

of month number of weeks' supplyStocks, end mo number of weeks' supply..

1928

July

2,9202,5233,918

229, 342294, 662565,911

181249

763815

2,4391,046

408, 563208, 202238, 941299, 457

1113.50

12, 97620, 25381, 69948, 621

185, 043248, 623403, 339460, 360

14, 1911,385

18,0726,055

11, 77212, 59111, 762

17, 44597.0

19, 90122, 58011, 7071.683

13, 1236,984

8,828483

9,497

9,346

2,37477.2

2,0082,3116,2679,166

1,74822.340.226.8

1.64.6

August

4,2392,961

5,131

243, 056262, 810570, 726

259325

890841

2,282989

491, 088206, 938218, 339221, 625

1413.50

12, 96022, 97065, 02947, 690

217, 565267, 870353, 034477, 593

12, 0581,123

21, 6808,284

13, 21514, 44614, 503

18, 73093.1

21,97019, 3749,3571.683

16, 8899,254

12, 145599

9,547

11, 474

2,68680.9

1,9092,6546,2978,467

2,98536.544.542.5

1.84.3

Septem-ber

3,3813,177

5,469

177, 982283, 813409, 110

244199

900850

2,5231,101

498, 691257, 692167, 078213, 274

2112.50

9,93916, 52554, 58350, 593

181, 018215, 544318, 508510, 864

10, 5701,005

17, 2676,767

11, 28115, 30414, 455

17, 85691.7

20, 46016, 7997,5661.650

14, 7529,630

26, 1051,1699,427

10, 248

2,32278.7

2,1222,4336,1738,084

3,19043.044.243.0

1.74.3

October

4,4114,235

5,817

156, 521156, 407420, 671

337255

902819

2,320855

454, 93191, 226

122, 078145, 427

4912.50

22, 66517,01850, 55850, 956

223, 704237, 928304, 284531,882

15, 5971,460

21, 5905,562

15, 80214, 44613, 435

17, 53387.1

19, 836 14, 579

s 5, 9441.650

7,0683,856

13,413598

9,337

10, 505

2,38971.6

2,7212,2616,3028,415

4,19352.053.553.9

1.74.1

Novem-ber

5,7734,147

6,778

114, 18475, 337

464. 733

222190

658840

2,553843

12.00

11,71514, 65738, 26847, 550

221, 848201,675324,457555, 762

9,998949

15, 06877.4

11,95117, 6965,9531.650

8,4305,213

19, 025845

8,692

10, 978

2,14666.8

2,9501,9906,4558,872

4,24554.2151. ll51.9

1.64.2

1927

October

2,7733, 516

3,502

203, 707193, 120397, 505

10179

809724

2,679801

561, 367169, 238214, 169182, 462

7111.75

14, 06519, 58229, 45529, 044

227, 896245, 725307, 240500, 868

11, 9071,049

18, 9285,134

13, 62314, 42315,318

17, 17487.4

18, 10513, 1415,9601.683

9,8005,527

29, 2061,1519,466

8, 703

1,96966.3

2,3142,0545,8788,681

3,81450.644.045.2

1.43.8

Novem-ber

2,2453,424

2,765

244, 345195, 228446, 622

10296

723622

2,777783

538, 69891, 424

187, 448211, 961

7011.75

14, 93916, 25128, 14329, 998

167, 993180, 498294, 735527, 920

11, 1341,008

18, 0866,558

11,83313, 46814, 845

14, 44975.9

11,61916, 0226,3741.683

7,9845,102

29, 7121,1048,879

8,573

2,04568.5

2,5741,9286,0499,043

3,45447.840.240.7

1.34. li



+31.9-2.1

+16.527.0

-51.8+10.5-34.1-25.5

-27.1+2.6

+10.0-1.4

-4.0-48.3-13.9-24.3-6.7-0.8

-15.2+6.6+4.5

-35.9-35.0

-14.1-11.1-39.8+21.4+0.2

0.0

+19.3+35.2

+41.8+41.3-6.9

+4.5

-10.2-6.7+8.4

-12.0+2.4+5.4

+1.2+4.2-4^5-3.7-5.9+2.4


+157. 1+21.1

+145. 1-53.3

61.4+4.1

+117. 6+97.9

-9.0+35.0-8.1+7.7

+2.1-21.6-9.8

+36.0+58.5+32.1+11.7+10,1+5.3

-10.2-5.9

+4.3+2.0+2.9

+10.4-6.6-2.0

+5.6+2.2

-36.0-23.5-2.1

+28.1

+4.9-2.5

+14.6+3.2+6.7-1.9

+22.9+13.4+27.1+27.5+23.1+2.4


THROUGH NOV. 30

1927

32,39531,737

2, 588, 7852, 491, 495

1,0801,075

8,3037,591

e 1, 855, 513

2,461,7012, 744, 170

137, 23713, 643

6 170, 6316 63, 467

6110,234

159, 909

164, 722

119,22669, 225

171, 4637,527

107, 401

103, 944

23, 092

24, 59423, 771

32, 563

1928

37.38933; 610

2, 090, 4112, 121, 360

2,0132, 296

8,0238,269

Per ct.in-

crease

or de-crease


+15.4+5.9

-19.3-14.9

+86.4+113.6

-3.4+8.9

j |6 1, 914, 267

._

2, 850, 9912, 848, 658

139, 30213, 189

6 170, 7716 57; 325

6116,537

163, 637168, 071

139, 96388, 366

151, 9696,552

98, 387

113,046

26, 47726, 71626,138

35, 095

+3. 2

+15.8+3.8

+1.5-3.3

+0.1-9.7+5.7

+2.3+2.0

+17.4+27. 7

-11.4-13.0-8.4

+8.8

+14. 7+8. 6

+10. 0

+7. 8.

3vised. 6 Cumulative through Oct. 31.


34



CHEMICALS AND OILS

ChemicalsSulphuric acid:

Exports thous. of IbsPrice, wholesale dolls, per 100 Ibs..

Nitrate of soda:Imports long tons..Production in Chile. metric tons _

Potash salts:Imports (commercial). __ long tons. _Production in France(K20 content) metric tons..Sales in Germany

(K2O content) metric tonsSuperphosphate (acid phosphate) :

Production .short tons__Stocks, end of month short tons..Shipments _ short tons..

Fertilizer:Exports long tons..Consumption, Southern States .short tons..

Dyes and dysetuffs, exports:Vegetable - thous. of IbsCoal tar thous. of lbs._

ArsenicCrude:

Production _ _ _ . short tons..Stocks, end of month short tons..

Refined:Production .short tons..Stocks, end of month short tons..

Price index numbers:Crude drugs rel. to Aug., 1914..Essential oils rel. to Aug., 1914..Drugs and

Pharmaceuticals rel. to Aug., 1914..Chemicals rel. to 1923-14..Oils and fats rel. to 1913-14..

Wood Chemicals

Acetate of lime:Production-

United States .thous. of IbsCanada thous. of Ibs

Shipments-United States thous. of IbsCanada thous of. Ibs

Stocks, end of month-United States thous. of lbs_.Canada . thous. of Ibs

Exports thous. of IbsPrice, wholesale dolls, per cwt__

Methanol, crude:Production

United States.. gallons _Canada gallons..

Stocks at crude plants, end of month-United States gallons..Canada .gallons..

Stocks at refineries and in transit-United States gallons..Canada gallons..

Exports . gallonsWood at chemical plants:

Consumption United States _ cordsCanada cords..

Stocks, end of month-United States cords..Canada cords..

Daily capacityTotal cords..Shutdown.. cords..

Methanol, refined:Production

United States gallons..Canada gallons..

Stocks, end of month-United States gallons..Canada gallons..

Shipments-United States . gallonsCanada gallons .

Price, wholesale, N. Y dolls, per gal._Ethyl Alcohol

Production . . .thous. of galsWithdrawn for denaturization__thous. of gals _Warehouse stocks, end of month. thous. of gals..

1938 1927

July

774.78

28, 150284, 300

38, 46130, 260

102, 608293, 250

1, 258, 33964, 40198, 80319, 251

2548,340

1,3852,105

7281,568

197162

168113123

9,340443

13, 302882

11,4112,3331,7923.50

518, 22014, 885

285, 13938, 486

277, 07766, 51854, 535

53, 2471,938

502, 57673, 6993,250

807

541, 11310, 800

444,49639, 210

667, 54912, 672

.47

16, 61814, 927

7, 351

August

291.78

75, 318275, 00057, 32734, 300

108, 696294, 381

1, 414, 61582, 876

103, 57562, 903

2371,335

2,0862,999

8031,618

193161164113121

9,150None.12, 5042,0988,054

1401.1413.88

501, 893None.

214, 28737, 933

160, 15664, 81714, 000

51, 095None.

504, Oil73, 7003,2621,053

436, 81114, 700

395, 73026, 715

497, 97122. 076

' .48

18, 76416, 1289,263

Septem-ber

582.78

36, 644259, 40043, 313

140, 818276, 811

51, 424, 169154, 44399, 149

138, 470

1571,330

1,0792,978

7991,971

192159164113121

8, 235446

12, 920348

3,326183449

4.00

442, 75018, 816

196, 66513, 665

164, 97267, 31432. 540

45, 3342,160

508, 82173, 759

3, 2651,113

355, 35338, 600

300, 47833, 101

415, 34025, 396

.48

18, 61315, 26911,295

October

442.78

48, 385282, 300

28, 242

76, 507350, 958

1, 576, 12191, 16586, 289

151, 128231

5,194

1,2383,024

8352,344

Novem- iber

633.78,

45, 575285, 900j24, 639

82, 463

""I

94, 085!84, 947

4002,436

113124

9,957999

9,782990

3,12134936

4.00

591, 36945, 768

291, 67234, 399

161, 72357, 81420, 408

60, 0225,366

546, 85673, 1193,266

698

487, 38456, 700

325, 91423, 339

493, 71248, 330

.51

20, 68520, 7189,907

113124

11, 6991,242

12, 5371,1232,302

28320

4.50

696, 01353, 146

265, 10219, 682

167, 01253, 42634, 583

68, 5736,248

531, 27872, 7603, 265

400

536, 78239, 500

422, 64021, 750

494, 04742, 989

October

474.75

55, 154189, 20027, 884

33, 00063, 730

5 391, 37651, 582, 5595 110, 290

96, 672127, 422

3591,838

1,0041,260

9372,321

207123

160112134

13, 8481,091

17, 1411,462

16, 1851,283

9153.50

692, 29948, 179

369, 96539, 414

1, 181, 22527, 99557, 983

73, 1595,121

599, 31474, 9423,339

145

688, 4356,700

396, 13726,443

698,47638, 569

.53

16,58417, 7597, 931

Novem-ber

417.76

67, 091210, 00017, 03930, 20468, 363

342, 4001, 806, 877

75, 26095, 60587, 965

3771,920

1,2691,326

8222,255

206126169112133

13, 4681,106

13, 575808

16, 0571,560

6763.50

690, 62547, 705

359, 58433, 414

1, 407, 74531, 98748, 624

70, 7755,937

593, 08971, 6953,323

145

529, 55238, 600

452, 24632, 584

626, 64328, 629

.48

18,05117,' 3298,211



+43.20.0

-5.8+1.3

-12.8

7 R-T-7. 8

Nov.,1928,fromNov.,

1927

+51.8+2.6

-32.1+36.1+44.6

+20.6

+9.0 -1.6-43. 8 -3. 4+73. 2 +6. 1-53. li +26. 9


THROUGH NOV. 30 ,

1927

6,971-

669, 4791, 377, 493

252, 770

1, 139, 0366 2, 582, 2446 1, 447, 3851, 192, 8574, 423, 014

3,34924, 541

; 6 11, 535

1 6 8, 711

0.00.0

+17.5+24.3+28.2

1 +13.4i

-26.2-19.9-44.4+12.5

+17.7+16.1-9.1

-42.8+3.37.6

+69.5

+14.2+16.4

-2.8-0.5

0.0-42.7

+10.1-30.3+29.7-6.8

^ +0.1| -11.1

i

+0.9-6.8

-13.1+12.3-7.6

+39. 0-85.7-81.9-70.4+28. 6

+0.8+11.4

-26.3-4i.:-88.1+67.0-28.9

-3.1+5.2

-10.4+1.5-1.7

+175.9

+1.4+2.3-6.5

-33.8-21.2+50. 2

1 143, 841j 8, 515143, 862| 7, 504

10, 056

i 7,317,149365, 343

269, 691

792, 80443, 386

i

1928

6,679

947, 5182, 869, 900

335, 291

1, 314, 0706 3, 220, 183

6 1, 729, 2201, 144, 2925, 467, 970

3,01230, 345

6 13, 648

6 7, 442

Per ct.in-

crease(+)

or de-crease(-)

cumu-lative

1928from1927

-4.2

+41.5+108. 3

+32.6

+15.4+24.7

+19.5-4.1

+23.6-10.1+23.7

+18.3

-14.6

j l1

1

117, 6628,850

131,41410, 474

11, 149

6, 587, 595264, 899

498, 345

663, 75944, 695

1 4,943,185' 5,315,111

259, 138: 374, 850

5, 217, 687 5, 429, 124276, 366 282, 575

6136,077 6145,8636 125, 998 6 131^ 025

-18.2+3.9-8.7

+39.6

+10.9

-10.0-0.1

i

+84.8

-16.3+3.0

i

+7.5+44.7

+4.1+2.2

+7.2+4.0

5 Revised. 3

Cumulative through Oct. 31.


35



CHEMICALS AND OILS ContinuedExplosives

(Black powder, permissible, and other highexplosives)

Production thous. of lbs_.Shipments thous. of IbsNew orders thous. oflbs. _Stocks, end of month thous. of lbs_.

Naval StoresTurpentine (gum):

Net receipts, southern ports barrels,.Stocks at port, end of month barrels. _Price, southern, New York.. dolls, per gal_.

Rosin (gum):Net receipts, southern ports barrels. _Stocks at 3 ports, end of month barrels. _Price, B, New York dolls, per bbl_.

Rosin (wood):Production barrels..Stocks, end of month. _ barrels. _

Turpentine (wood) :Production barrelsStocks, end of month.. barrels. .

Pine oil:Production gallons..Stocks, end of month gallons..

RoofingRoofing, felt:

Production, dry felt tons..Stocks, end of month, dry felt tons..

Prepared roofing:Shipments. thous. of roof squares..

Fats and OilsTotal vegetable oils and copra:

Exports thous. oflbs..Imports thous. of Ibs

Copra imports . ..short tons _Copra or coconut oil:

Imports thous. oflbsConsumption in

oleomargarine thous. of IbsOleomargarine:

Production thous. of IbsConsumption thous. of Ibs

Animal glues:Shipments thous. of Ibs. _

CottonseedCottonseed:

Receipts at mills . short tonsConsumption (crush).. short tons..Stocks atjmills, end of month short tons..

Cottonseed oil, crude:Production thous. of IbsStocks, end of month thous. oflbs _

Cottonseed oil, refined:Production thous of IbsStocks, end of month . thous. of IbsPrice, yellow, prime, N. Y__.dolls. per l b__Consumption in oleomarg thous. of lbs__

Cottonseed cake and meal:Production short tons..Stocks, end of month short tonsExports short tons

FlaxseedProduction, crop estimate., thous. of bushsImports thous. of bushsLinseed oil:

Shipments from Minneapolis.thous. of lbs_.Price, New York dolls, perlb..

Linseed cake and meal:Shipments from Minneapolis. thous. of lbs__Exports thous. of Ibs

FOODSTUFFSWheat

Production, crop estimate:Winter wheat _ ..thous. of bushs..Spring wheat thous. of bushsTotal, wheat thous. of bushs

Visible supply, end of month:United States thous. of bushsCanada ..thous. of bushs..

|1938

July

30, 08429, 56127,99317, 158

46, 63769, 245

.55148, 250178, 225

9.7137,016

112, 7036,3047,786

238, 767824, 671

25, 8102,7982,398

1,14553, 37924, 407

19, 62910, 64221, 44420, 4906,621

23, 92332, 33621, 78111,28519, 45726, 404

335, 406.101

1,86713, 76932, 601

71

August

35, 09223, 03932, 26818, 554

42, 72473, 304

.52145, 357227, 517

9.5937, 623

114, 0

SCB_011929

Documents

monthly figures

sources of data

cents semiannual issues

survey of current business

figures aira

figures reportedare

monthly information

monthly average