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THE BUSINESS REVIEW
THIRD FEDERAL
PHILADELPHIA

RESERVE DISTRICT
AUGUST i, 1934

By RICHARD L. AUSTIN, Chairman and Federal Reserve Agent
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of PHILADELPHIA

Business and Banking Conditions in the United States

*

Industrial production, which had in­
creased during each of the six months
from December to May, declined in
June by somewhat more than the usual
seasonal amount. Factory employ­
ment and payrolls also showed de­
creases which were partly of a seasonal
nature. The general level of whole­
sale commodity prices advanced dur­
ing June and showed little change
during the first three weeks of July.
Production and employment. Volume

1

,

of industrial output, as measured by
the Board’s seasonally adjusted in­
dex, decreased from 86 per cent of
the 1923-25 average in May to 84 per
cent in June, reflecting chiefly a sharp
reduction in activity at cotton textile
mills. Production at lumber mills and
at coal mines also showed a decline.
In the steel and automobile industries
activity decreased in June by an
amount somewhat smaller than is usual
at this season. Maintenance of activ­
ity at steel mills in June reflected in
part the accumulation of stocks by con­
sumers, according to trade reports,
and at the beginning of July output of
steel showed a sharp decline.
Employment at factories decreased
somewhat between the middle of May
and the middle of June, reflecting re­

ductions in working forces in indus­
tries producing textile fabrics, wearing
apparel, leather products, automobiles,
and lumber, offset in part by increases
in employment at steel t mills and at
meat packing establishments.
Value of construction contracts
awarded, which had shown little
change during May and June, showed
an increase in the first half of July,
according to the F. W. Dodge Cor­
poration.
Department of Agriculture esti­
mates, based on July 1 conditions, in­
dicated a wheat crop of 484,000,000
bushels, compared with an average of
886,000,000 bushels for the five years
1927-1931, and a corn crop of 2,113,­
000,000 bushels, compared with the
five-year average of 2,516,000,000
bushels. Crops of other grains, hay
and tobacco were also estimated to be
considerably smaller than usual. The
acreage of cotton under cultivation
was estimated at 28,000,000 acres,
about 2,000,000 less than the acreage
harvested last season. In the first
three weeks of July drought condi­
tions prevailed over wide areas, par­
ticularly in the southwest.
The number of freight
cars loaded per working day showed
a further slight increase in June fol­
PER CENT



Wholesale commodity prices. Whole­
sale prices of farm products and foods
generally advanced during June while
other commodities as a group showed
a slight decline. Hog prices increased
considerably in the middle of the
month while wheat declined through­
out the month. In the middle of July
wheat prices advanced rapidly to levels
above those reached at the end of
May, and there was a considerable ad­
vance in cotton, while lumber prices
declined and finished steel prices were
reduced somewhat from the advanced
quotations previously announced.
MEMBER BANK CREDIT

Distribution.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

Index number of industrial production, ad­
justed for seasonal variation. (1923-1925 av­

erage = 100.)

lowed by a decline in the first half of
July. Sales by department stores de­
creased in June by more than the esti­
mated seasonal amount.

FACTORY EMPLOYMENT

PER CEWT
120

Wednesday figures for reporting member
banks in 90 leading cities. Latest figures are
for July 18.

WHOLESALE PRICES

100

70

0

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

193^

Federal Reserve Board’s index of factory em­
ployment adjusted for seasonal variation.
(1923-1925 average =100.)

Indexes of the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics. By months 1929 to 1931; by weeks
1932 to date. (1926 =100.)

Between June 13 and
July 18 member bank reserves in­
creased to a new high level of nearly
$4,000,000,000, about $1,850,000,000 in
excess of legal requirements. The
growth reflected chiefly a further in­
crease in the monetary gold stock. A
seasonal increase in demand for cur­
rency over the July 4 holiday period
was followed by an approximately
Bank credit.

equal seasonal return flow during the
succeeding two weeks. The volume of
reserve bank credit outstanding
showed little change.
At reporting member banks there
was a growth of U. S. Government
deposits during the five-week period,
reflecting chiefly the purchase in June
of new issues of government securities
by the banks. Bankers’ balances also

increased but deposits of individuals,
firms and corporations have shown
little change.
Loans declined somewhat, reflecting
a decrease in loans to customers, while
loans to brokers showed an increase.
Money rates remained practically
unchanged at the low levels prevailing
in June.

Business and Banking Conditions in the
Philadelphia Federal Reserve District
Trade and industrial activity in this
district slackened somewhat during
June, and in July further recessions
have been reported by most branches
of business. Industrial production, as
measured by the output of manufac­
tures, coal and crude oil, declined frac­
tionally from May to June, and it was
but slightly greater than a year ago
when manufacturing operations were
expanding at an unusually rapid rate
in the face of rising prices and costs.
The volume of industrial output in the
first half of this year was about 16 per
cent larger than in the same period
last year. The total value of building
contracts awarded increased in the
month, owing solely to commercial
buildings and public works and util­
ities; the gain thus far this year has
been large, reflecting mainly a greater
volume of public construction and
sharp advances in prices of building
materials in the past year.
Retail and wholesale trade sales de­
clined from May to June by a some­
what larger amount than usual, but
they were larger in the first six months
this year than last, owing partly to
higher prices. Sales of new passenger
automobiles showed exceptional gaihs
while those of life insurance rather un­

usual losses during the month, but busi­
ness in both continued larger than last
year. Freight car loadings in this sec­
tion were well maintained, with the ex­
ception of coal shipments.
General employment and earnings in
twelve branches of industry and trade
about the middle of June showed
only small declines as compared with
May, according to reports from 8,294
Pennsylvania establishments employing
nearly 747,000 workers whose weekly
payroll totaled about $16,342,000. Pre­
liminary reports indicate that em­
ployment and wage payments of the
manufacturing industry in July have
decreased further.
The market for
manufactured products has slackened
considerably since the middle of last
month, current demand being unusu­
ally quiet. Prices show a slight weak­
ness, although in most cases they have
continued at about the same level as
in the previous month.
The volume of unfilled orders in
July has fallen off materially and in
general appears to be smaller than a
year ago. Stocks of finished goods
and raw materials at reporting plants
have shown relatively unimportant

Manufacturing.

changes during the past month and re­
main smaller than at this time last
year. Collections have declined and
are smaller than a year ago, although
numerous reports indicate increases.
The number of wage earners on the
factory rolls in Pennsylvania in June
was virtually the same as in May,
while the amount of wage disburse­
ments declined a little; usually both
show marked seasonal recessions in
this period. The index number of em­
ployment in Pennsylvania factories
in June was 77, relative to the 1923-25
average as 100, or nearly 18 per cent
higher than a year ago and that of
payrolls was 61, or 44 per cent above
last year. The volume of work done,
as measured by employe-hours actually
worked, in June declined slightly from
May but was 15 per cent larger than in
June 1933.
Manufacturing production on the
whole has changed little from May to
June, but in July reports of curtail­
ment have been quite numerous. Our
June index of factory productive activ­
ity, which takes into account the num­
ber of working days and the usual sea­
sonal variation as found in forty-seven
important industries, was 70 per cent
of the 1923-25 average or the same

MERCANTILE TRADE

MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY

PHILADELPHIA FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

PHILADELPHIA FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

PERCENT

PERCENT

RETAIL DOLLAR SALES

EMPLOYMENT
WHOLESALE
” DOLLAR SALES

PAYROLLS

1929

1930


Page
Two


1931

1932

1933

1934

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

,*

»

,

■

as in the previous two months and in
June 1933. The volume of goods pro­
duced in these industries thus far this
year, however, appears to have been
14 per cent larger than in the same
period last year.
Output of durable goods thus far
this year has increased by a larger
percentage than has the production of
consumers’ goods. This was due
mainly to exceptional gains in primary
iron and steel products and transporta­
tion equipment, while reductions in
textile products, which in the first
six months of this year registered
a decline of 6 per cent as compared
with last year, held the gain in the
production of consumers’ goods to
small proportions. Among other in­
dustries showing increases over last
year are cigars, leather and its prod­
ucts, building materials, and chemicals.
Output of electric power by the
leading systems of this district in­
creased from May to June, continuing
the upward trend since early this year.
For the year to date production was 8
per cent larger than last year. Total
sales of electricity for all purposes
increased in the month and the quan­
tity sold in the first half of the year
exceeded that of the same period in
the two previous years. The increase
in industrial consumption was about 3
per cent larger than usual. Prelimi­
nary reports for July show seasonal
recessions in output and sales.
Coal.
Production and shipments of
Pennsylvania anthracite have been de­
clining almost steadily since the high
level reached early this year. The
drop from May to June was some­
what larger than usual, reflecting the
influence of decreased demand and in­
creased stocks at the opening of the
month. The number of workers on
the rolls of anthracite collieries about
the middle of June was estimated at
about 114,000, a decrease of 10 per
cent from May but an increase of
45 per cent from June last year. In
the first six months both production
and shipments were about 45 per cent
larger this year than last and exceeded
the volume in the same period in 1931
and 1932. Early figures indicate that
there has been a further decline in out­
put during July. Wholesale prices of
anthracite show about the usual sea­
sonal advance, following spring reduc­
tions, and are close to the level of a
year ago.
After a steady increase in the first
quarter of this year, the output of
bituminous coal declined rather sharply
in April, but since then it has continued
on a fairly even keel, barring the usual




Business Indicators
Philadelphia Federal Reserve District
Index numbers: percentages of the 1923-1925 average taken as 100
(All figures are rounded from original data)
Adjusted indexes allow for the usual
seasonal change which results from an
uneven distribution of business be­
tween the months of the year.

Adjusted for seasonal variation
Percentage com­
parison

Unadjusted indexes reflect merely the
actual change which may or may not
be up to the usual seasonal expecta­ June Apr, May
tions.
1933 1934 1934

June 1934
with
Month Year
ago
ago

Industrial production.............

Manufacturing total..........................
Durable goods...............................
Consumers’ goods.........................
Metal products...............................
Textile products............................
Transportation equipment..........
Food products.................................
Tobacco and products..................
Building materials.........................
Chemicals and products...............
Leather and products...................
Paper and printing........................
Electric power output...................
Industrial use of electricity.........
Coal mining.........................................
Anthracite........................................
Bituminous......................................

Employment and wages—Pa.

69 70
70 70
42 51
02 84
44 58
96 80
31 39
77 74
84 91
29 26
97 105
124 127
82 80
190 194
126 134
65 73
65 73
69 70

71p
7 Op
57 p
81p
64
72p
40
76
92
32
104
134
80
196
131
75
76
71

80
197
135
69]
69

Factory wage earners........................
Factory payrolls.................................
Employe-hours (1927-28=100) . . .
General—12 occupations:
Employment (1932= 100)...........
Payrolls
(1932=100)...........

Building and real estate

Contracts awardedf—total.............
Contracts awarded!—residential. .
Permits for building—17 cities ....
Mortgages recorded—Philadelphia.
Real estate deeds—Philadelphia.. .
Sheriff deeds (1930= 100)............
Other deeds (1930 = 100)............
Writs for Sheriff sales—Phila..........

Distribution

Retail trade—sales............................
Retail trade—stocks..........................
Wholesale trade—sales.....................
Wholesale trade—stocks..................
Life insurance sales............................
New passenger auto, registrations..
Freight car loadings—total.............
Mdse, and misc. (64.9% of total)
Coal (23.5% of total)...............

Business liquidations

June Apr. May
1933 1934 1934

June
1934

- 1
- 0
+ 3
+ o
+1
- 4
+20
+ 5
— 2
- 2
+ 8
-13
0
+1
+ 3
- 8
- 9
- 0

+ 2
- 0
+40
-12
+47
-28
+56
+ 3
+ 7
+ 9
+10
- 6
— 3
+ 4
+ 7
+ «
+ 6
+ 2

+17
+ 14
+55
+ 1
+74
- 6
+50
+ 3
+ 10
+28
+15
+ 13
+ 2
+ 8
+ 16
+42
+44
+28

68
69

69
68

69p
69p

68p
69p

44
94
31
75
91
32
98
122
82
181
128
57
57
61

57
77
42
73
83
26
106
125
81
190
135
75
76
64

64
69p
41
73
89
34
105
122
81
182
134
75
76
64

65p
67p
48
75p
97
34
107p
114p
79
188
137
60p
60
62p

+ 0*
- 2*
- 0*

+18*
+44*
+ 15*

+23*
+58*
+33*

66
42
56

77
59
60

77
62
65

77
61
64

_ j* + 15* + 17*
- 2* +36* +43*

96
93

108
121

111
129

110
126

740 778 764

+76
- 1
+46
-35
-27
-51*
+ 5*
— 48

+67
19
+23
14
+ 13
7
-20
9
-22
54
-25* 183
-18* 60
-26 1482

36
13
5
5
41
130
48
777

36
14
6
11
39
98
58
817

34
14
10
6
40
89
63
764

64 69 69
62 63 62
75 83 81
67 66 65
106 103 100
75 71 79
60 61 62
60 60 62
63 68 67

- 1
- 2
— 2
- 0
— 2
+n
+ 3
+ 3
- 1

+14
+ 12
+ 14
+ 14
+11
+30
+ 7
+ 1
+13

+14

59
53
67
55
94
86
58
63
51

65
64
69
68
118
113
58
61
56

70
63
78
65
110
103
62
63
62

67
59
77
63
104
111
63
64
58

+47* -42* — 59* 127
-18* -33* -55* 119

61
94

50
97

74
80

Payment of accounts

59 72

71

71

Prices—United States

Wholesale (1926 = 100).............
Farm products............................
Foods.............................................
Other commodities....................
Retail food (1913= 100)...........
Philadelphia................................
Scranton.......................................

(000,000’s omitted
in dollar figures)

To
date
with
year
ago

- 7
+ 9
+49
—44
+ i
— 9*
+ 8*
— 2

Number............................................
Amount of liabilities.....................

Check payments............................
Rate of collections (actual)
Retail trade.................................
Wholesale trade..........................

Not adjusted

June
1933

Mar.
1934

+24
+ 8
+21
+23
+ 16
+38

+1

+20

62

73

70

74

- 1
— 2

+12
+ 18

27
62

28
66

29
72

30
73

+
+
+
—
+
-

+15*
+ 19*
+ 14*
+ 13*
+ 12*
+ 19*
+ 12*

+19* 65
+33* 53
+ 18* 61
+ 18* 69
+ 16* 97
+23* 99
+15* 102

73
60
66
79
107
117
114

74
60
67
79
108
118
115

75
63
70
78
109
118
115

1*
6*
4*
1*
0*
0*
0*

Apr.
1934

May
1934

June
1934

Per cent change
from
Month

Year
ago

-33
+ 5
+2

-80
+ 18
+73
+ 8

— 1
+ 2
+ 1

-10
+ 18
+ 16
+22

Banking and credit

Federal Reserve Bank
Bills discounted..............................
Other bills and securities.............
Member bank reserves.................
Ratio.................................................
Reporting member banks
Loans to customers........................
Other loans and investments... .
Net deposits.....................................
Bankers’ acceptances outstanding.

$ 40
142
119
62.7%
$514
485
898
11.9

$ 17
170
196

$ 14
169
194
67.4%

68.2%

$468
564
1,036
15.8

$463
568
1,039
15.1

* Computed from data unadjusted for seasonal variation,
t 3-month moving daily average.

$ 12
168
196
66.9%
$465
563
1,035
13.8

$

8
168
206
68.0%
$460
574
1,041
14.5

0

+ 5

p—Preliminary

Page Three

OUTPUT OF METAL AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS

BUILDING CONTRACTS

PHILADELPHIA FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

PHILADELPHIA FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

PERCENT

PERCENT

1923 -25AVG = IOO

150

TC TAL
125

TEXTILES

*

100

^

%
»
•
v\ ••

V

s

75

•%

L

%

50

METALS

y

25 ~

O

RESID ENTIAL
1

THREE MONTHS MOVING AVE AGE

w

V

ADJUSTED TOR SEASONAL VAR lATION

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1929

1934

1930

1931

1932

1933

•v
1934

Source: F. W. Dodge Corporation

seasonal change. In the first half of which include engineering projects un­
this year soft coal mines in central dertaken by the Public Works Admin­
Pennsylvania produced about 28 per istration. Contracts let for all other
cent more coal than in the same period classes of building construction were
last year; the volume also was consid­ noticeably smaller in June than in
erably larger than in the first six May, decreases ranging from 5 per
months of 1932. Employment in this cent for family dwellings to 53 per
industry has risen sharply since the cent in the case of educational build­
middle of last year and on the whole ings. The total value of contract
showed only a small variation in the awards in the first half of this year
past four months, when the number of
workers employed was the largest since
Per cent
early 1931; about the middle of June,
change from
the Pennsylvania bituminous industry
Building contracts
June 1934
Philadelphia
6 mos.
had on the rolls approximately 145,000
Federal Reserve (in $l,000’s)
1934
Month from
District
workers. All industrial consumers,
ago
6 mos.
except power plants and railroads, had
1933
larger stocks of this fuel at the begin­
ning of June than a month before.
Residential:
Apts, and hotels.. $ 155.2
+179
-16
Prices of bituminous coal have ad­
+ 5
Family houses---1.639.5
- 5
N
on-resident
ial:
vanced almost steadily since the mid­
+ 33
+49
Commercial..........
1,131.4
dle of last year, after a period of re­
Factories...............
+ 46
310.3
-26
-53
+417
Educational..........
265.2
cession for nearly six years, reaching
- 44
-34
All other................
398.4
a low point in April 1933. The June
Total buildings.
- 8
3,900.0
+ 19
index number was 95 per cent of the Public works and
+332
+47
utilities...................
3,632.8
1926 average as compared with a rec­
$7,532.8
+
83
+12
Grand
total.
.
.
ord low last year of 78.
Activity in
building trades has changed little since
May; declines in building construc­
tion and general contracting were ac­
companied by some further gain in the
construction and maintenance of streets
and highways. Reports from over
1,100 contractors in Pennsylvania
showed that about 3 per cent fewer
workers were employed in June than
in May; wage payments remained un­
changed, while working time increased
about one per cent.
Contrary to seasonal tendency, the
value of contract awards increased 12
per cent in June, owing to substantial
gains in awards for commercial build­
ings, and public works and utilities,
Building and real estate.


Page Four


Source: F. W. Dodge Corporation.

was 83 per cent larger than last year.
Contracts for educational buildings,
and public works and utilities thus far
have shown very large percentage in­
creases—417 and 332 per cent, re­
spectively, as compared with last year.
Preliminary reports for July indicate
some further increase in the dollar
volume of total awards.
Wholesale prices of building mate­
rials showed some further rise in
June, reflecting higher prices for ce­
ment, lumber, and plumbing and heat­
ing supplies, according to figures com­
piled by the Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics. Lately, however, some reductions
in prices for certain materials have

been announced. As compared with a
year ago, building material prices are
about 17 per cent higher, the largest
increases being shown for lumber,
brick and structural steel. Ordinary conveyances increased fur­
ther during June in the Philadelphia,
Johnstown and Wilkes-Barre areas,
while declines were reported from
most other sections. For the year to
date, the Harrisburg, Lancaster and
Johnstown areas alone showed gains
over 1933. In Philadelphia the value
of mortgages recorded declined sharply
in June and in the six months was 20
per cent smaller this year than last.
Foreclosures have declined in the last
three months, and the total volume of
forced sales has been 25 per cent
smaller so far this year than last.
Agriculture. Farm work is progress­
ing rapidly. Wheat and rye threshing
are well under way, and the oats crop
is nearly ready to be harvested. Grow­
ing conditions have been generally
favorable in the southeastern counties,
but in most other sections crops have
suffered in varying degrees from in­
sufficient moisture.
Pastures and
meadows and truck crops in particular
need more rain to insure their normal
growth.
Fruit prospects continue
poor, especially for apples and peaches.
The July 1 condition of six leading
field crops indicate that with the pos­
sible exception of corn, yields this year
will be below the six-year average of
1925-30, according to estimates of the
Department of Agriculture. As com­
pared with last year’s harvest, produc­
tion of corn, wheat, hay and tobacco is
expected to be smaller, while that of
oats and white potatoes may be some­
what larger.
The condition of dairy cattle in gen­
eral appears to be about average for

INDUSTRIAL FUEL AND POWER

FREIGHT CAR LOADINGS
ALLEGHENY DISTRICT

PHILADELPHIA FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

PERCENT

PERCENT

ELECTRIC POWER
USED BY INDUSTRIES

MERCHANDISE AND
MISCELLANEOUS
(64 9* or

COAL

FUEL OIL./
OUTPUT

(23.5* or total)

BITUMINOUS COAL
I OUTPUT

1929

1930

TOTAL

1931

1932

Source: Bureau of Mines

this time of the year, while that of
swine herds is said to be somewhat
below normal and is less favorable
than a year earlier. Output of dairy
products increased further from May
to June but continued in much smaller
volume than a year ago. Receipts of
milk and cream in the Philadelphia
area, which have been increasing
rather sharply since early this year,
declined in June and, with the excep­
tion of 1932, were the smallest for that
month in several years. At four prin­
cipal markets, receipts of eggs from
this section were 15 per cent larger
in the first five months this year than
last, while those of dressed poultry
were nearly 14 per cent smaller.
As compared with the average for
the country, wholesale prices of farm
products in Pennsylvania showed a rel­
atively small increase between May
and June, reflecting chiefly higher
prices for grains, chickens and eggs.
Locally, prices received by farmers
for meat animals, and fruits and vege­
tables declined appreciably, while in
the United States as a whole they
averaged 'higher in June than in May.
The wholesale price index for all agri­
cultural commodities in this section
stood at 91 per cent in June, as com­
pared with the country’s average of
77 per cent, both figures being per­
centages of the 1910-14 average.
Distribution, trade and service. Ship­

ments of commodities in this section,
as measured by freight car loadings,
were well maintained in June but de­
clined somewhat in early July. Total
loadings increased in June, reflecting
mainly heavier shipments of merchan­
dise and miscellaneous commodities,
and grains. Deliveries of coal, which
usually make up about 24 per cent of



total)

1933

1934

1930

1932

1933

1934

Source: American Railway Association

total shipments, have decreased since
May. Total freight car loadings in
the first half of this year were 23 per
cent larger than last year.
Business at wholesale, which has
been well maintained for two succes­
sive months, declined in June and
showed signs of further slackening it)
early July. The dollar sales of eight
reporting lines combined, decreased 2
per cent from May to June, computed
on a seasonally adjusted basis. The
sales of jewelry alone showed an ex­
ceptional gain over the previous month,
while those of hardware and drugs
maintained their customary seasonal
level. For the remaining lines de­
creases were recorded in June, rang­
ing from 2 per cent in groceries to 20
per cent in shoes. In the first six
months this year the total value of
wholesale trade sales was 24 per cent
larger than a year ago. Higher prices
account for some of this increase.
Stocks of goods at wholesale estab­
lishments have declined seasonally, but
were 14 per cent larger than a year
ago, also reflecting partly the influence
of increased prices. The rate of stock
turnover was 12 per cent more rapid
in the first six months this year than
last. Collections during June did not
measure up to the usual seasonal
change but the ratio of collections to
receivables was 18 per cent higher
than a year ago.
Retail trade sales of department, ap­
parel, shoe and credit stores combined
failed to maintain their customary
level in June by about one per cent.
Improved business at department and
men’s apparel stores was more that?
offset by unusually large declines in
the dollar volume of business handled
at women’s apparel, shoe and credit

stores. Preliminary reports indicate
that some further slackening in retail
trade activity occurred in July.
In the first six months this year,
dollar sales were 14 per cent larger
than in 1933. This increase undoubt­
edly reflects in large part higher prices
this year than last.
Credit conditions at retail failed to
show improvement during June. In­
creases in collections of department
stores in relation to their outstanding
balances were not as large as usual,
nor were they sufficient to offset small
declines in the case of apparel stores.
Compared with June 1933, payments by
customers were about 12 per cent
larger.
The rate of stock turnover was
slightly higher in the first six months
this year than last, all lines with the
exception of women’s apparel and
credit stores indicating a more rapid
movement of goods. The value of in­
ventories at retail establishments de­
clined a little more than seasonally
from May to June, but was 12 per
cent higher than a year ago.
Sales of new passenger automo­
biles, as measured by registrations,
showed an exceptional increase in
June, resuming the upward trend be­
gun early this year after an unusual
drop in May. Sales in the first six
months were 21 per cent larger this
year than last.
Hotel business declined sharply
from May to June in both room oc­
cupancy and income, reflecting largely
seasonal let-down in the movement of
commercial travelers; summer resort
hotels are not included among those
now reporting to us. For the year to
date room occupancy shows a gain of
15 per cent and the revenue from all
Page Five

about 13 millions
June
July
was added to mem­ Reporting member banks July
COST OF LIVING
18,
20,
19,
(000,000’s omitted)
1934
1934
1933
ber bank reserve
PERCENT
deposits, which
to customers:
totalled
219 mil­ Loans
/ 'A
On stocks and bonds.. . $ 203 S 208 $ 252
’HI LADE LPHIA
All other...........................
249
252
250
lions on July 18; Loans
to open market....
44
39
19
this
was
the
high­
United States securities. .
287
251
292
V
‘ -*
Other
securities...................
262
252
245
'v.
_f
_/
est, except that
-W
V*
/
Total loans and inshown
a week
ut IT ED STA TE 5"
vestments................ $1,045 $1,043 $1,017
ft
V
Net
demand deposits........
earlier,
in
any
676
670
571
N
Time deposits......................
314
308
299
\> 'Z' weekly statement Government deposits........
73
73
56
s
due frdm banks.
168
160
89
since this bank Amounts
120
Amounts due to banks. . .
246
229
151
started operations. Reserve at Federal ReD EC. id 14-— 1 DO
serve Bank.......................
83
142
136
Currency demand
'
aggregating over 5
millions in the two addition of 5 millions to open market
weeks
ending loans. Government deposits did not
July 4 was largely change, but there was an expansion of
’20
*22
'24
'26
*28
’30
’32
’34
balanced
by 12 millions in net demand and time
Source: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
amounts returned deposits, partly reflecting increased
thereafter.
balances held for other banks. The
sources an increase of 26 per cent as
Bills discounted totaled less than 7 reporting banks show a rise of 6 mil­
compared with the first half of 1933. millions at this bank on July 18, much lions in reserves with the Federal Re­
Comparisons follow:
the same as four weeks earlier. The serve Bank.
reserve ratio advanced from 68.2 to
The national total of outstanding
68.5 per cent, comparing with 64.8 bankers’ acceptances declined from 569
Per cent
change
Jan. 1per cent a year ago.
to 534 millions during June, half of
June 1934
June 30
Hotel business
From an average of 196 millions in this decline being in bills covering
compared
1934
Philadelphia Federal
with
with
May, reserve balances of all licensed domestic warehouse credits; the total
Reserve District
June 30
member
banks in this district in­
May June
1933
at the end of the month was 22 per
1934 1933
creased to 206 millions in June. The
daily average excess above require­ cent below a year ago. In this district
Capacity............................... + 0 - 0
ments rose from 79)4 to 88)4 millions; the total of acceptances increased from
Room occupancy................ -10
+14
+15
Per cent of capacity used:
a year ago the excess was only a little $13,800,000 to $14,500,000 in the month
June 1934............ 40.2
and was 21 per cent in excess of a
over
12 millions.
May 1934 ............ 44.8
June 1933............ 35.2
Loans to customers at the weekly year ago.
Revenue from:
Guest rooms.................... -11
+14
+13
reporting member banks have declined
Food.................................. -17
+ 16
+21
Federal Reserve
Changes in
CTther sources.................. -12
from 460 to 452 millions in the last
+55
+73
July 18,
four weeks; most of this was in those
Philadelphia
Total revenue............. -13
+23
+26
1934
(Dollar figures
Four
One
made on the security of stocks and
in millions)
weeks
year
bonds, which are in substantially
Banking conditions.
As a result of smaller volume than a year ago. The Bills discounted. . . $ 6.7 -$ 0.2 —$26.7
continued heavy disbursements by the low point this year in other loans to Bills bought............
0.5
0 - 0.2
United States segovernment, reserves of member banks customers was 245 millions at the end
curities................. 167.1
+ 22.1
0
increased further, reaching the highest of January, which was followed by a Other securities. . . 0.4 - 0.1 - 0.1
Total bills and
point on record in the course of the rise to over 254 millions in May; the
securities. . . $174.7
-$ 0.3 -$ 4.9
month.
Reporting member banks latest figure, 249 millions, is only Fed. res.
note circulation................
+ 2.2
249.3
+ n.i
show declines in loans to customers slightly lower than a year ago. Open Fed. res. bank note
circulation—net.
— 2.2
4.3 — 0.7
but a gain in their open market loans
market loans and investments have in­ Member bank reand investments.
serve deposits. . . 219.0
+ 13.3
+ 85.2
creased 10 millions in the last month, Deposit
U.S. Treas­
Government disbursements increased
urer-general
ac1.3 - 7.5 - 1.9
in this district during the four weeks a drop of 5 millions in holdings of
count ..................
United States securities being more Foreign bank deending on July 18 and exceeded local
+ 0.1
posits....................
0.5
- 1.2
deposits....
10.5
— 1.3
- 1.1
receipts by 35 millions. The Treasury than offset by a rise of 10 millions in Other
Total reserves........ 329.1
+ 6.1
+ 77.3
reduced its deposits at the reserve other securities, which are at the high­ Reserve ratio.......... 68.5% + 0.3% + 3.7%
est
point
since
the
end
of
1932,
and
an
bank by 7l/2 millions, but most of
the excess of expenditures was met
RESERVE BANK CREDIT AND THE FACTORS WHICH AFFECT IT
by transfers from other sections of
Philadelphia Federal Reserve District
the country and by deposits to the
June 21 to July 18 inclusive—in millions of dollars
credit of this bank in the settlement
Sources of funds
Uses of funds
fund. The supply of funds available Reserve bank credit extended in this dis­
Currency demand............................................ + 0.6
trict .................................................................. — 0.5
Member bank reserve deposits.................... +13.3
to the banks also was augmented Commercial
and financial transfers (chiefly
Nonmember deposits at reserve bank. ... — 1.3
by a decline of over one million in
interdistrict).................................................. —22.3
Unexpended capital funds of reserve bank — 0.4
Treasury operations........................................ +35.0
nonmember deposits at this bank. An
Total.
Total........................................................... +12.2
+12.2
unfavorable balance in commercial and
Note: This table gives, in balance sheet form, a summary of the banking changes which have had an
financial transfers with other districts influence
on the amount of reserve bank credit in use in the district.
absorbed the bulk of these funds, but
n

J/


Page Six


Employment and Payrolls
in Pennsylvania

LOANS TO CUSTOMERS
PHILA. FED. RE-S. DISTRICT

REPORTING MEMBER BANKS

(All figures are rounded from original data)

MILLIONS
SECURED BY
STOCKS AND BONDS

Manufacturing Indexes
Employehours t

Payrolls*

Employment*

(Indexes are percentages
June 1934—
of the 1923-25 average
Per cent
Per cent
taken as 100. Total and
per cent
change from change
from
group indexes are weight­ June change from June
ed proportionately.)
1934
1934
index
index
June May June May
June May
1933 1934 1933 1934
1933 1934

ALL OTHER

All manufacturing___
77
Iron, steel ana prods.. . 68
Non-fer. metal prods.. . 87
Transportation equip.. . 63
Textiles and clothing... 92
Textiles......................... 90
Clothing.......................
98
Food products................. 104
Stone, clay and glass.. . 77
Lumber products........... 45
Chemicals and prods. . . 91
Leather and products . . 90
Paper and printing.... . 89
Printing........................
86
Others:
Cigars and tobacco . . 67
Rubber tires, gooas. . 92
Musical instruments . 48

1934

CURRENCY DEMAND
PHILADELPHIA FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

MILLIONS-

61
59
74
45
72
72
75
88
40
31
79
75
73
75

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+ 12 + 5
+ 7 -10
+50 - 3

50
71
37

+ 18 + 7 - 7 + 2
- 17 -11 -39 -11
+101 + 2 +77 + 4

+
+
+
+
—
—
-

* Figures from 1,931 plants.

44
80
31
64
20
23
6
22
27
28
40
21
16
14

- 2
- 0
- 5
— 5
- 5
- 3
— 15
+ 3
+ 1
+ 8
0
- 7
— 3
- 4

+15
+38
+ 7
+73
-23
-20
-36
- 1
+ 3
+ 2
+22
-20
— 6
- 2

0
2
3
2
2
0
9
2
1
2
1
2
0
0

+18
+35
+25
+38
+1
+ 7
-16
+15
+ 16
+ 12
+26
+ 7
+11
+ 7

- 0
+1
-11
— 1
- 4
- 1
-15
+ 3
+ 1
+ 7
— 2
— 5
— 2
— 2

t Figures from 1,610 plants.

Indexes of Twelve Occupations
Payrolls

Employment
(Indexes are percentages of the
1932 average taken as 100. In­
dividual indexes are combined
proportionately into general in­
dex number.)

1932

1933

(weighted)___
Manufacturing.............................
Anthracite mining......................
Bituminous coal mining............
Building and construction........
Quarrying and non-met. mining
Crude petroleum producing. . .
Public utilities..............................
Retail trade...................................
Wholesale trade...........................
Hotels..............................................
Laundries.......................................
Dyeing and cleaning..................

Percentage change—June 1934 from June 1933

Allentown.............
A ltoona.................
Harrisburg............
Johnstown............
Lancaster.............
Philadelphia.........
Reading.................
Scranton...............
Trenton.................
Wilkes-Barre....
Wilmington..........

Manufacturing
Employ­
ment

Wage
payments

+ 17
+23
+34
+43
+26
+21
+20
+ 0
+24
- 1
+28
+24
+18

+ 58
+116
+ 84
+ 67
+ 52
+ 35
+ 55
+ ii
+ 33
+ 13
+ 40
+ 25
+ 27

Per cent
change from

June
1934
index

June
1933

May
1934

+15
+18
+45
+34
-14
+ 6
+79
—
1
+ 16
+ 8
+ 13
+ 2
+ 7

—

126
150
99
163
70
130
175
89

+ 2
+ 1
+ 3
+ 3
+o

no

Per cent
change from
June
1933

May
1934

+36
+44
+55
+83
— 2
+17
+79
+
8
+25

— 2
— 2
— 17
+ 4
0
-15
— 2
+ 2

1934

General index

City areas*

June
1934
index

Building
permits
(value)

Debits

+280
+ 36
— 14
+ 371
1- 7
+ 55
- 13
— 10
+ 18
- 40
+113
— 12
+ 36

+ 5
+ 18
+20
+53
+20
-19
- 9
-12
-14
- 9
+15
+17
4- 5

Retail
trade
sales

+20
+41
+ 16
+34
+29
+ 10
+ 19
+28
+16
+21

110
120
92
122
84
105
196
90
111
103
107
98
110

1
0
-10
- 2
— 3
— 9
+ 3
+0

96
102
97
120

+n
+24
+
14
+23

+ 3
+ 1
+ 2
+ 2
— 4

INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLLS
PENNSYLVANIA

PERCENT

+14
-

June 1934 from May 1934
Allentown.............
Altoona.................
Harrisburg...........
Johnstown............
Lancaster..............
Philadelphia.........
Reading.................
Scranton...............
Trenton.................
Wilkes-Barre....

+
+
+
+
+
—
+

0
5
3
1
2
1
0
4
0
0

Wilmington..........
York

+ 3
— 1

1
— 2
+ 1
— 13
+ 3
— 1
— 2
— 4
— 2
+ 2
+
+

4
2

+ 94
- 37
+ 44
+246
+ 40
+ 75
- 33
— 15
+ 144
+ 4
— 6
+ 43
+163

+ 7
+ 4
+ 8
-10
+ 7
+ 2
— 1
— 1
+29
+ 6
— 0
+25
+ 2

* Area not restricted to the corporate limits of cities given here.




+15
-10
- 7
-16
— 15
- 1
— 5
—15
+12
— 6

EMPLOYMENT

PAYROLLS

+ 6
932

193 3

19 3 4

Page Seven

Index numbers of individual lines of trade and
manufacture

OUTPUT OF MANUFACTURES

Philadelphia Federal Reserve District
Index numbers: percentages of the 1923-1925 average taken as 100
(All figures are rounded from original data)
Adjusted indexes allow for the usual
seasonal change which results from an
uneven distribution of business be­
tween the months of the year.
Unadjusted indexes reflect merely the
actual change which may or may not
be up to the usual seasonal expecta­
tions.

Adjusted for seasonal variation

Not adjusted

Percentage com­
parison
Turn Apr. May June
1933 1934 1934 1934

June 1934
with
Month Year
ago
ago

June Apr May June
1933 1934 1934 1934

To
date
with
year
ago

Retail trade

Sales
Total all stores............................
Department.............................
Men’s apparel.........................
Women’s apparel...................
Shoe...........................................
Credit........................................

60
59
58
79
65
54

64
62
51
78
62
73

69
66
59
90
80
67

69
67
66
85
72
65

- 1
+ i
+n
- 5
— 10
- 3

+
+
+
+
+
+

14
14
13
8
11
19

Stocks of goods
Total of all stores.......................
Department.............................
Men’s apparel.........................
Women’s apparel...................
Shoe...........................................
Credit........................................

55
50
53
84
55
58

62
54
57
84
58
72

63
56
61
91
58 r
72

62
55
63
87
56
68

+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+

12
10
20
3
3
18

2
2
4
5
3
5

Rate of stock turnover
6 months (actual, not indexes)

+
+
+
+
+
+

+

14
14
20
13
16
30

1*

59
56
60
77
74
51

65
60
49
92
69
72

70
65
55
93
89
70

67
64
68
83
83
61

53
48
50
76
54
56

64
56
61
90
59
72

63
55
61
92
59 r
70

59
61
78
55
66

1.85

Wholesale trade

Sales
Total of all lines..........................
Boots and shoes......................
Drugs........................................
Dry goods.................................
Electrical supplies.................
Groceries..................................
Hardware.................................
Jewelry.....................................
Paper.........................................

71 75 83 81
64 42 73 59p
76 90 87 87
41 42 45 42
95 68 113 109p
88 107 105 104
40 48 47 47
29 38 35 40
60 65 68 65

Stocks of goods
Total of all lines..........................
Boots and shoes......................
Drugs........................................
Dry goods.................................
Electrical supplies..................
Groceries..................................
Hardware.................................
Jewelry.....................................
Paper.........................................

58 67 66 65
21
21 22 r 17
109 112 112 121
32 50 48 46
52 88 87 r 77p
75 74 73 77
55 62 59 r 61
42 52 48 47
61
58
60 61

— 2 + 14 + 24
-20 — 8 + 6
+ 0 + 15 + 14
— 8 + 3 + 34
- 3 + 14 + 28
- 2 + 17 + 24
0
+ 16 + 30
+ 14 + 37 + 66
- 4 + 9 + 29
- 0 + 14
-21 - 18
+ 8 + ii
- 6 + 43
-11 + 49
+ 5 + 3
+ 3 + 10
- 2 + 12
— 4 — 4

Rate of stock turnover
6 months (actual, not indexes)

Output of manufactures

Pig iron..............................................
Steel....................................................
Iron castings....................................
Steel castings...................................
Electrical apparatus......................
Motor vehicles.................................
Automobile parts and bodies....
Locomotives and cars....................
Shipbuilding.....................................
Silk manufactures..........................
Woolen and worsteds....................
Cotton products..............................
Carpets and rugs............................
Hosiery..............................................
Underwear........................................
Cement..............................................
Brick..................................................
Lumber and products...................
Bread and bakery products.........
Slaughtering, meat packing.........
Sugar refining..................................
Canning and preserving...............
Cigars................................................
Paper and wood pulp....................
Printing and publishing...............
Shoes..................................................
Leather, goat and kid....................
Explosives.........................................
Paints and varnishes.....................
Petroleum products.......................
Coke, by-product...........................

+ 12*
22 32 41
35
43 54 63 64
39 44 43 43p
26 58 66 68
51
74 74 72
13
11
11
11
45 56 39 32
8 17 22 25
72 90 103 148
113 101 85 94
75 41 39 38
45 44 43 37
60 50 51
50
141 117 112 102
182 106 109 115
42 35 49 49
30 31
34 33
20 17 21 20
106 99 94 93
83 96 66 94
44 60 67 70p
83 90 91 89
64 58 60 60
87 84 84 84
142 137 149 124
108 118 120 109p
54 83 89 89
81 63 68 71
130 145 134 13Sp
69 85 91 96p

* Computed from data unadjusted for seasonal variation.

Page Eight




-15
+ 3
+ 1
+ 4
— 2
— 4
-19
+ 15
+44
+10
- 2
-13
- 1
- 9
+ 5
- 1
- 1
— 5
+ 4*
- 1
+41
+ 4
- 2
+ 0
- 0
-17
— 9
- 0
+ 4
+ 3
+ 6

+ 57
+ 49
+ 11
+ 158
+ 42
- 20
- 30
+202
+105
- 17
- 49
- 17
- 16
— 28
- 37
+ 16
+ 11
- 3
+ 3*
- 12
+ 13
+ 59
+ 7
— 5
- 3
— 12
+ i
+ 64
- 12
+ 6
+ 40

+ 116
+ 88
+ 89
+167
+ 54
+ 8
+ 79
+ 99
+ 30
— 1
- 19
+ 16
+ 41
— 4
— 30
+ 25
+ 31
+ 29
+ 2*
- 5
+ 10
+ 58
+ a
+ 12
+ 0
+
+
+
+
+

22
74
12
5
57

67
55
73
37
78
90
42
24
57

69 78 77
45 73 51p
90 87 84
37 43 39
62 86 90p
98 104 106
50 52 49
25 29 34
65 67 63

55
20
102
32
51
68
56
46
61

68 65 63
21 21r 16
113 113 114
50 48 46
86 82 r 76p
74 70 70
66 61r 62
50 51
51
60 60 58

2.49
21
44
3928
51
16
45
9
71
108
71
43
57
L38
182
50
31
21
88
100
89
32
90
63
86
135
109
54
83
L30
69

p—Preliminary.

36 43 33
56 66 66
46 45 43
59 68 71
64 68 72
13 14 13
61 41 32
18 22 26
92 106 147
99 82 89
37 36 36
45 42 35
48 49 48
117 112 100
103 110 115
34 56 59
33 36 35
17 19 20
98 94 88
125 82 100
50 51 50p
82 88 96
59 60 60
86 85 83
137 136 118
114 109 HOp
83 90 89
66 72 72
144 L34 139p
88 95 96p
r—Revised.