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THE BUSINESS REVIEW
L;'£Emj

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
OF PHILADELPHIA

1^*1^

MARCH 1, 1945

The unprecedented production effort to which
the nation now stands committed is having wide­ again in short supply as a result of the greatly
increased munitions requirements, small pro­
spread repercussions in both war and essential ducers at present can do little more than plan
industry. In virtually all heavy goods lines,
where the bulk of munitions is produced, and in their output of peacetime goods. Under present
the case of many nondurables, particularly tex­ conditions unrated orders for new tools or ma­
tiles, the volume of new orders has risen steeply chinery for postwar delivery cannot be accepted
to new high levels and backlogs again are in­ by manufacturers; previously this had been per­
creasing very sharply. Shortages of many raw mitted as a preparatory step to reconversion.
materials, including steel and most nonferrous
Productive activity in the country has risen
metals, have grown more pronounced, necessi­
slightly above the level prevailing in the final
tating the reinstatement of directives previously
three months of last year. The increase in Janu­
employed to regulate their end uses.
ary, while small, was achieved in spite of un­
usually severe weather which delayed the move­
These developments, reminiscent of the situa­
tion prevailing early in the war, stem in large ment of fuels and other raw materials to con­
of
part from new procurement policies which an­ suming establishments. Output millcrude steel,
however, decreased sharply, as
operations
ticipate the direct and indirect requirements of
were reduced to the lowest rate reported in two
our armed forces many months in advance of
actual combat needs. Manpower stringency per­ and one-half years. The tonnage of steel lost in
sisting in a few key industries and in some cen­ January was reflected only in small part in the
ters of war production, including several in the activity of the munitions industries, where over­
Philadelphia Federal Reserve District, has been all production fell a little short of the rising
schedule set for that month. Deliveries of fin­
aggravated to some extent, but only temporarily. ished munitions in February and even in subse­
The longer range procurement of supplies and
equipment affords greater opportunity for im­ quent months may be affected to a greater ex­
tent by the tight supply situation which has
provements in labor utilization through detailed arisen in this all-important war metal.
production planning; subsequently, this proce­
dure may result in a much less pressing man­
Industry. Industrial production in the Phila­
power supply situation.
delphia Federal Reserve District on an adjusted
Although reconversion to civilian output under basis declined 2 per cent in January to a level
the Spot Authorization Plan still is permitted 8 per cent below a year earlier. Decreases in the
when local conditions justify the step as a means over-all output of factory products reflected a
of absorbing small pools of excess manpower, somewhat lower rate of activity in the month at
the means of accomplishing it are far less avail­ plants producing nondurable goods; operations
able than in the fall of last year. With many in heavy industry lines were maintained at the
December level. The production of anthracite
raw materials and virtually all components
(Continued on Page 9)




Page One

Post-War Construction and Equipment Requirements
Philadelphia Manufacturing Industry
Expenditures Planned and Sources of Financing

The most important problem of our economy
following the war will be the reconversion of
our manufacturing industries to efficient peace­
time production. Effective reconversion involves
more than mere return to the manufacturing of
some type of peacetime product. For Philadel­
phia industry, this latter cost should not be
great, since most of our factories are at present
producing war goods substantially similar to
their pre-war prototypes. In instances such as
textiles, many products now being turned out
for the Government could, if available, be used
by civilians. The difficult reconversion problem
is not just to produce civilian goods, but to
adapt our productive facilities to turning out the
types and quantities of products desired by
the post-war world, and to utilize effectively the
cumulative improvement in technology and in
materials which has been one of the useful by­
products of an otherwise destructive war.

The C. E. D. Survey of New Construction and
Renovation Plans in Philadelphia
Manufacturing
The importance of capital expenditures to suc­
cessful reconversion focuses attention on post­
war plans of American industry, and the war­
time trend toward liquidity among manufactur­
ing enterprises has led to much discussion of the
potential needs for outside financing in implementing these plans. With this in mind, the
Philadelphia Committee for Economic Develop­
ment recently circulated a “Confidential Memo­
randum on Construction and Renovation Pros­
pects” among 450 manufacturing concerns in
the city of Philadelphia.

According to the 283 replies received by the
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, prior to
the end of January 1945, Philadelphia manufacturers plan to spend an amount representing
In modernizing our peacetime industry, man­ less than 7 per cent of the value of their 1939
agement must cope with problems of obsoles­ production on new construction and equipment
cence and accumulated wear and tear on plant, in the post-war period. The same survey indi­
and in many cases must correct a lack of balance cates that approximately 70 per cent of such
in equipment which has been the outgrowth of expenditures will be financed from the available
specialized war production. This balance is funds of business itself.
essential to the most effective use of existing
equipment. To illustrate, one concern might
Table I indicates relative coverage, based on
possess twelve lathes and two drill presses, value of output in 1939, for each of twelve
whereas effective civilian production might re­ groups into which Philadelphia manufacturing
quire a ratio of 12 to 3. Without one new drill has been classified. It also shows percentages
of reporting firms which anticipate expenditures
press, four lathes would stand idle.
for new construction or equipment as soon as the
A return to pre-war volume of production will war situation permits. The firms replying rep­
be insufficient to support the level of national resented, in 1939, 36.8 per cent of the total
income necessary for approximately full em­ manufacturing output in Philadelphia. Except
ployment. Reconversion will entail new con­ for the transportation equipment group, cover­
struction and purchases of equipment if indus­ age ranges from a little less than one-fourth to
try is to find adequate solutions for its post-war over one-half of the output in each classification.
problems. Expansion and modernization will be Of the 283 firms replying, 159, or 56 per cent,
necessary if our economy is to maintain high indicate that they are already planning either
levels of productivity beyond that interim pe­ new construction or equipment purchases or
riod when accumulated consumers’ demand for both. All but nine of the concerns replying have
goods, unavailable during the war, will provide indicated sources from which they expect to
finance such expenditures.
Among the 159
a temporary stimulus to employment.
Page Two




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f

*

,

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,

TABLE I: Sample Coverage and Percentage of Reporting
Firms Which Plan Expenditures for New Construction
and Equipment
1939 value of output
(Thous. $)
Industry

Philadelphia Reporting
total
firms

Total manufacturing.. $1,421,577
Food and tobacco. . . .
Textiles...........................
Apparel..........................
Lumber and furniture.
Paper and printing. . .
Chemicals and petroleum products..........
Leather...........................
Iron and steel...............
Nonferrous metals... .
Machinery (inch elec.).
Transportation equip..
Miscellaneous mfg.......

$522,762

TABLE II: Estimates of Post-War Construction and
Renovation Prospects in Philadelphia, Expenditures
Planned, and Probable Sources of Funds
(In thousands of dollars)

Coverage as %. of report­
% of 1939
ing firms
which plan
output
expenditures
36.8%

56%

297,240
188,609
149,570
23,745
163,427

85,152
53,532
35,003
7,217
76,510

28.7
28.4
23.4
30.4
46.8

67
69
41
44
66

184,947
38,107
64,621
24,095
144,923
80,485
61,808

106,375
19,949
17,795
8,961
79,581
10,018
22,669

57.5
52.4
27.5
37.2
54.9
12.5
36.7

86
47
39
67
46
60
56

Type of
expenditure
Industry

New
const.

Total

Ma­
quirechinery ments

Source of funds
Own
funds

Banks

Food and tobacco.............. $ 9,932 $ 5,894 $15,826 $15,314 $ 512 $
0
Textiles.................................
5,095 13,269 18,364 11,147
4,315
2,902
Apparel.................................
0
590
560
590
30
0
Lumber and furniture....
227
610
383
398
212
0
Paper and printing.............
7,841 22,934 30,775 21,388
9,239
148
Chemicals and petroleum
products........................... 10,054
1,346 11,400
2,234
9,166
0
Leather.................................
401
501
902
770
132
0
Iron and steel......................
163
1,765
1,928
1,498
430
0
Nonferrous metals.............
102
479
581
581
0
0
Machinery (inch elec.)... .
270
2,405
2,675
2,246
399
30
Transportation equip........
1,205
9,320 10,525
8,515
2,010
0
Miscellaneous......................
1,426
2,397
3,823
3,320
2
501
Total manufacturing... $36,716 $61,283 $97,999 $67,971 $26,447

■

enterprises planning expenditures, 3 per cent
plan new construction alone, 72 per cent indicate they will acquire new equipment without
new construction, and the remaining 25 per cent
expect to make expenditures for both purposes.

Other
sources

$3,581

Summary of Estimates for All
Philadelphia Manufacturing

^

*

Although only 28 per cent of those firms con­
templating expenditures indicate that they are
planning new construction, 37.5 per cent of
total dollar estimates are for this purpose.
Greater costs usually are involved when a con­
struction program is planned. With 97 per cent
of the firms expecting to purchase additional
equipment, on the other hand, only 62.5 per cent
of total estimated expenditures are involved.
Reflecting the extremely liquid condition of
business generally, the survey indicates that out
of $98 million in construction and equipment
expenditures planned, $68 million, or 69 per
cent, can be financed by businesses out of their
own resources; only $26.4 million, or 27 per
cent, will be raised by bank credit; and the re­
maining 4 per cent will come from other sources.

*



Per cent

$36,716,000
61,283,000

A sample covering approximately 37 per cent
of the total value of manufactured products
provides a reasonably satisfactory basis for
estimating the over-all picture, and sample fig­
ures were expanded to provide dollar estimates
of the expenditures now planned by Philadel­
phia manufacturing concerns, both by industry
groups and in total. By a similar process, esti­
mates were made as to sources from which these
expenditures will be financed. The results are
shown in Table II for the twelve manufacturing
groups, indicating both expenditures planned
and sources of financing.

Amount

37.5
62.5

$97,999,000

100.0

$67,971,000
26,447,000
3,581,000

69.4
27.0
3.6

$97,999,000

100.0

Expenditures

Total...........................................................................
Source of Funds

In evaluating the relative importance of these
estimated expenditures on new construction and
equipment, it is interesting to compare them
with pre-war output. Table III shows planned
expenditures (by industrial classifications) ex­
pressed as percentages of dollar volume of out­
put in 1939.
Certain of the classifications of manufacturing
are more fully engaged in war production than
are others. These would include chemicals and
petroleum products, iron and steel, nonferrous
metals, machinery, and transportation equip­
ment. As a group these war industries plan to
spend less on new construction and equipment
than do the other industries—$27,109 thousand
as against $70,890 thousand. More significant is
TABLE III:

Percentages of Planned Expenditures to
1939 Volume of Output

Food andtobacco......................5.3%
Leather......................................... 2.4%
Textiles........................................ 9.7
Iron and steel............................. 3.0
Apparel........................................ 0.4
Nonferrous metals..................... 2.4
Lumber andfurniture.............. 2.6
Machinery (incl.elec.).............. 1.8
Paper and printing.................. 18.8
Transportation equipment. ..13.1
Chemicals & petroleum prod.. 6.2
Miscellaneous..............................6.2
Total Philadelphia manufacturing....................6.9%

Page Three

the fact that these expenditures represent only
5.4 per cent of the 1939 output of the war indus­
try group as against 7.7 per cent for all others.
Two generalizations seem to be evident in the
results of this survey. First, it indicates that a
rather small total expenditure on construction
and equipment is planned by Philadelphia manu­
facturing industry in the immediate post-war
period; and, second, it would seem that a rela­
tively small proportion of bank credit will be re­
quired to finance such expenditures as are to
be made.
It is important, however, to keep in mind cer­
tain limiting factors inherent in the nature of
this survey. To begin with, the survey includes
only manufacturing concerns within the limits
of Philadelphia, excluding all trade and service
enterprises as well as manufacturing industry in
the important metropolitan areas surrounding
the city. Furthermore, estimates refer to only
two specific types of expenditure; namely, new
construction and purchases of equipment. Many
other costs, such as re-arrangement of plant
lay out, inventory, and other working capital
needs, may swell total reconversion expenditures
and the need for bank credit. Finally, amounts
are based on present plans of reporting firms.
It is probable that only those firms with more or
less definite plans in mind have been willing to
estimate dollar expenditures, while others either
have not thought out their post-war needs or feel
that any policy must depend on conditions which
develop following the war.
Liquid Assets Held by Philadelphia
Manufacturing Industry
American business, generally, will face recon­
version in a condition of greater liquidity than
at any previous time in its history. Much stress
has been placed upon huge business holdings
of Government securities and demand deposits
accumulated during the war, and the tendency
has been strong in some quarters to arrive at
the conclusion that, since such liquid resources
in the aggregate exceed probable reconversion
costs, there will be little need by business enter­
prise for credit from outside sources. The post­
war reconversion problem of Philadelphia manu­
facturing industries will undoubtedly be influ­
enced by the extent of their holdings of such
liquid assets.
The deposit ownership study made by the
Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank for the Third
Page Four



District indicated that, as of July 31, 1944,
commercial banks in the city of Philadelphia
held demand deposits of $547 million credited to
manufacturing and mining businesses. Judging
by the trend in deposits of all individuals, part­
nerships, and corporations this figure will have
increased since July and will increase more be­
fore the end of the war.
This classification of deposits in the owner­
ship survey, however, does not give us the proper
deposit figure for Philadelphia manufacturers
without some adjustment because: (1) it in­
cludes deposits of mining concerns whose opera­
tions are not part of Philadelphia manufactur­
ing; (2) outside manufacturing concerns located
in the important industrial areas around Phila­
delphia carry deposits with Philadelphia banks;
and (3) some Philadelphia industries, partic­
ularly those with home offices in other cities,
carry substantial deposits elsewhere. Although
no data exist for measuring the net effect of
these factors, it is quite probable that the actual
demand deposit holdings of Philadelphia manu­
facturers are lower than the total deposits of
manufacturing industry held by Philadelphia
banks.
Making adjustments for these discrepancies,
and allowing for the continued growth in deposits until the end of the war, it may be con­
servatively estimated that demand deposits of
Philadelphia manufacturers will be not less than
$500 million when the war ends, and may be as
high as $550 million. At the end of 1944 they
were probably between $450 million and $500
million.
Holdings of Government securities by Philadelphia manufacturers cannot be ascertained
directly, but their general magnitude can be
estimated roughly. The Federal Reserve Board
has estimated holdings of American business,
excluding banks and insurance companies, at
about $32 billion, as of December 31, 1944.
Purchases by similar business corporations
credited to Philadelphia in the Third, Fourth,
Fifth, and Sixth War Loan Drives averaged 2
per cent of similar allotments in the country as
a whole. If we assume that unincorporated
business received a similar proportion, and that
this percentage is also representative of accumu­
lated holdings of Government securities, Phila­
delphia business would own about $640 million
of Government securities. If we further assume
that Government security holdings of Philadel­

4

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,

*

phia manufacturers are in the same ratio to the
total for all Philadelphia business as are their
demand deposits, such holdings would probably
amount to something over $300 million.
It would seem reasonable to assume, there­
fore, that Philadelphia manufacturing indus­
tries at the end of 1944 held about three-quar­
ters of a billion dollars worth of liquid assets in
the form of bank deposits and Government se­
curities, and that the amount will increase sub­
stantially before the end of the war. Another
factor in post-war liquidity of business enter­
prise generally, is the probability of tax refunds
on a substantial scale. Such refunds would
include the 10 per cent return of excess profits
taxes after the war, the possibility of refunds
granted on appeals for adjustment in the tax
base used to determine excess profits, and the
indirect effect of “carry-over” and “carry-back”
features in the tax laws. No data exist for esti­
mating the magnitude of these refunds for
Philadelphia manufacturing enterprises.

1943, with end-of-the-year tax accruals on their
books, Government security holdings of these
corporations exceeded income tax liabilities by
only $.1 billion, or 6/10 of one per cent. In a re­
cent study of over 1,600 small and medium-sized
businesses with assets under $10 million, the
Federal Reserve System, in collaboration with
the Robert Morris Associates, found that hold­
ings of securities (mostly government) on De­
cember 31,1943, were $444 million and Federal
income tax liabilities were $509 million.

If tax accruals were to remain permanently at
their present levels, there would be no necessity
for offsetting them entirely with equivalent
holding of liquid assets.
Although charges
against current earnings, they might, like other
accruals, be paid out of earnings of a subsequent
period and in the interim the funds represented
might be used for other purposes. After the
war, however, if corporate earnings decrease,
tax accruals will decline also and at least part
of businesses’ Government securities will be ab­
sorbed in liquidating taxes accrued in an earlier
It should not be concluded that this figure for period. Furthermore, most businesses would
liquid assets of Philadelphia manufacturers, hesitate to use tax reserves as a source of funds
even though it may be greater than reconversion for new construction, equipment purchases, or
costs of all types, indicates that no credit will be other reconversion costs, and for that reason
needed from banks or other sources. The most will probably continue to offset a large propor­
obvious weakness of such reasoning is that it tion of such accruals with Government securities
attempts to apply aggregate figures, derived at least as long as tax obligations are looked
from thousands of balance sheets, to the prob­ upon as unusually or temporarily high.
lems of the individual enterprise. Neither hold­
ings of liquid assets nor costs of reconversion
The error in comparing gross liquid assets
will be proportionately distributed among indi­ with reconversion costs is further illustrated in
vidual concerns. The fact that one concern may the case of demand deposits. Deposits are neces­
have liquid assets five times greater than its sary for carrying on day-to-day business opera­
costs of reconversion will not obviate the need tions. Just how much of the deposit total is in
for borrowing on the part of another concern excess of such needs would be difficult to say,
which must spend an amount larger than its although the amount is undoubtedly large. At
available cash and Government security the outbreak of war, demand deposits of indi­
holdings.
viduals, partnerships, and corporations in Phila­
delphia member banks were 72 per cent of the
Another fallacy is a tendency to assume that amount held December 30, 1944. Allowing for
all of the Government securities held by busi­ the increased price level and for an anticipated
ness enterprise represent funds freely available level of national income above that of 1941, it is
for general expenditure. Actually these secu­ quite possible that $350 million of the esti­
rities are largely offset by accrued tax liabilities; mated post-war deposits of Philadelphia manu­
and, indeed, a sizable proportion of them is in facturers will be required as normal operating
the form of tax savings notes. For example, the balances.
Securities and Exchange Commission estimates
A final point that is sometimes overlooked in
that all corporations, exclusive of banks and in­
surance companies held $18.9 billion of Gov­ evaluating post-war credit needs of business, is
ernment securities on September 30, 1944, but the fact that with termination of war contracts
had $16.1 billion in accrued Federal income tax some concerns will find large amounts of their
liabilities on the same date. On December 31, working capital tied up in inventories which are




Page Five

not well adapted to their peacetime needs, or in
receivables due from the United States Govern­
ment, the final liquidation of which will be de­
layed until termination settlements are reached.
It is true that T-loans are designed to meet this
situation, but T-loans, although guaranteed, are
financed by bank credit. Also, concerns at pres­
ent engaged in war production are not the only
ones whose inventories may be affected by the
ending of war. Large amounts of substitute
products and items of inferior grade may prove
unsalable when the war is over, and will either
have to be written off or sold at less than cost.
In either case working capital will shrink and
stocking of new inventory may require bank
credit.
In summary, certain aspects of reconversion
by Philadelphia manufacturing industries may
be stressed:
1. Effective reconversion and relatively full
employment will require large expenditures for
new construction and equipment—a mere return
to pre-war civilian production will not be suffi­
cient. The necessary volume of such expendi­
tures may well be greater than envisioned in
present plans of individual enterprises.

2. Business at present holds an enormous
volume of liquid assets, but there is danger of
over-stressing the adequacy of such resources
for financing complete reconversion needs. The
Philadelphia survey indicates at least twentyseven per cent of construction and equipment
needs will require bank credit; and, as full reali­
zation of the magnitude of the industrial reno­
vation problem develops, not only gross expendi­
tures but the proportion to be financed by bank
credit may increase.
3. The relative magnitude of the demand for
credit will depend very largely upon business
conditions and prospects at the time, including
such imponderables as the national employment
level, price trends, consumers’ demand, Treas­
ury and banking policy, and international polit­
ical and economic developments. If, however,
we are to preserve a level of national income
sufficient to provide substantially full employ­
ment, business prosperity, and a rising standard
of living, commercial banks must stand ready to
finance sound productive enterprise as the needs
appear, even though this may involve risks
somewhat higher than the Government direct or
guaranteed credit to which they have become
accustomed during the war.

The Baking Industry
The baking industry occupies a strategic posi­
tion in our economy. In general terms, baking
has occupied a significant place in human activ­
ity since antiquity; bread, the “staff of life,” is
still the staple of our diet. In quantitative terms
it is important because it has more establish­
ments and employs more people than any other
major food industry. Value of output in baking
is surpassed only by that in meat packing. In
1939, bakeries provided employment for 230,­
000 wage earners in the United States and turned
out products worth $1,412 million.
Growth of the Industry
Commercial baking has grown rapidly in the
present century despite declining trends in the
consumption of grain products. Per capita con­
sumption of flour decreased from 230 pounds
in 1900 to 154 pounds in 1939. This is reflected
in the milling industry (see Chart I) but not in
baking. Until 1919, the growth of the two were
somewhat parallel but since that time milling
Page Six



has declined and baking has continued to
expand.
The continued growth of baking reflects a
shift from home to commercial baking. Both
economic and social reasons account for this
transition. The growing urbanization of the
population afforded an expanding market for
bakery products as well as other processed
foods. Together with the shift in population
came smaller-sized family units, apartment liv­
ing, and greater participation of women in in­
dustrial, civic, and social activities.
Characteristics of the Industry
There are two divisions of the baking indus­
try : the producers of soft dough products, prin­
cipally bread; and the producers of the harder,
less perishable goods such as biscuits and
crackers. The former is overwhelmingly the
more important of the two branches, although
biscuit bakeries were the first to develop.

CHART I

CHART 11

COMMERCIAL BAKING AND FLOUR MILLING

BREAD AND FLOUR PRICES

UNITED STATES

MILLIONS

(value

or

(t PER LOAF

products)

2000

BREAD
MILLING

BAKING

jiii
i

1899

1904

1909

1914

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

1919*21 *23 ’25 ’27 ’29 '31 ’33 *35 *37 *39

Bread baking is predominantly small scale.
It has been estimated that there were some
30,000 baking establishments in the United
States in 1939. The Census of Manufactures re­
ported 18,000 establishments producing at least
$5,000 of products. Over one-half of these
establishments produced between $5,000 and
$20,000 of products, and more than one-fourth
of the bakeries produced between $20,000 and
$50,000 worth of products. Only 11 per cent of
the bakeries had a sales volume of $100,000 or
more.
The extreme perishability of the product
necessitates rapid delivery and limits the area
which a bakery can serve. Technological lim­
itations, such as size of ovens and fermentation
units, also restrict large-scale operations. Be­
yond a certain point, larger size of plant offers
little or no saving in production costs. Growth
in size brings increased costs of distribution as
the marketing area is enlarged. By consolida­
tion, many bakeries have been united into large
companies but they have not eliminated the
small shops. Many neighborhood bakeries owe
their existence to a specialized line of products
that appeal to the local trade.
The biscuit and cracker branch of the indus­
try produces less perishable products and there­
fore finds it profitable to operate on a largerscale basis. Almost 50 per cent of the estab­
lishments produce in excess of $100,000 of
products and 25 per cent of them have annual
sales running over a half million dollars. There
are also multi-plant concerns in this division of
the baking industry—three companies account
for 80 per cent of the total output.




1925 '26 27 28 29 '30 '31 '32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 '40 '41 '42 43

There is very little competition between the
two divisions, but competition is keen within
each branch. This applies particularly to bread
bakeries, which require very little capital to set
up in business, and working capital requirements
are small also because there is a daily cash turn­
over. Moreover, bakeries must compete with
housewives who still do considerable cake and
pie baking at home.
Problems of Operation
Raw materials are the major cost of produc­
tion, and flour is the largest single item. The
baking industry is greatly affected by the yearto-year changes in the volume of wheat produc­
tion and the resulting fluctuations in the price
of flour. Flour prices vary considerably from
one crop year to another and they also rise and
fall within short periods of time, while retail
prices of bakery products are sluggish. This is
especially true of bread prices, dictated largely
by custom. Thus, periodically, profit margins in
baking expand or contract as raw material prices
fall or rise faster than retail bread prices. (See
Chart II.)
Rising raw material prices jeopardized earn­
ings at the outset of the war. Government pol­
icies were established to check rising retail
prices to consumers, but prices of raw materials
continued to advance, with the result that bakers
found themselves in a price squeeze. The flour
miller, caught in a similar price squeeze, got
relief in the form of a Government subsidy, but
the bakers had to find other solutions. The
difficulty which confronted the bakers was solved
by a number of wartime developments. Gasoline
and rubber rationing forced bakeries to reduce
Page Seven

the size of the areas they had been serving and,
naturally, they cut out their most unprofitable
delivery routes. At the same time, many women
took wartime jobs in industry with the result
that bakeries found a rising demand for their
products in their immediate neighborhoods.
Another factor which reduced their costs of
operations was Government prohibition of con­
signment selling. Formerly, bakeries shipped
bread to distributors, allowing them the priv­
ilege of returning unsold merchandise, and the
volume of stale goods returned was a consid­
erable cost item. Hence, the elimination of this
practice as a war economy measure reduced
materially the over-all cost of bakery opera­
tions. Moreover, economies in operation were
secured by baking larger sized loaves—by in­
creasing the size of the loaf from 16 to 20 ounces
—and securing Government approval to raise
prices correspondingly.
Since the turn of the century the baking pro­
cess has become increasingly mechanized and
standardized. Improvements, such as mechan­
ical mixers, traveling ovens, automatic tempera­
ture and humidity control assure greater uni­
formity of quality. Naturally, the larger bakeries
have made more extensive installations of these
devices; in the smaller bakeries, the process re­
mains more of an art than a science.
Problems in Marketing
One of the problems which has confronted
the industry for many years is the decline of
cereals in the American diet. There has been a
tendency during the past half century toward
an increasing consumption of the so-called pro­
tective foods—those high in mineral salts, vita­
mins, and proteins—and a declining consumption
of the energy foods, such as meat and cereals.
The baking industry is aware of these trends
and the reasons for it—changing habits of Amer­
ican life require less energy foods, and rising
standards of living promote the consumption of
higher-priced low-calorie foods.
The industry has endeavored to impress the
public with the idea that “bread is basic”. The
nutritional value of bread, particularly since the
Government enrichment program has been in
effect, has been emphasized by advertising.
Moreover, bakeries have been placing more em­
phasis upon variety of output, such as cakes,
cookies, sweet rolls, and related products. By
offering such products to consumers with higher
incomes they have expanded their markets, but
Page Eight



at the same time the industry has become more
vulnerable to fluctuations in consumer incomes.
Another situation peculiar to this industry is
the potential competition of baking in the family
kitchen which has given way to commercial
baking. This trend was the result of rapid
growth in urban population and numerous
changes in the pattern of family life. In 1900
about two-thirds of all bread baking was done
in the home; by 1939, it is estimated, over twothirds of the bread consumed was the product of
commercial bakeries. However, it is estimated
that about half of the “other bakery products,”
such as pies, cakes, and cookies, are still pro­
duced at home. No doubt the war has stimulated
the commercial production of these products,
owing to the employment of women in war in­
dustries and the desire to conserve household
supplies of sugar and shortening. The industry
recognizes the fact that improvement in quality
and variety of these and other specialty products
must take place after the war in order to retain
the markets gained during the war.
Wartime Developments
Baking has been confronted by many of the
same problems which the war has imposed on
other industries. The shortage of manpower
was one of its greatest difficulties. To meet this
situation the industry expanded its training pro­
grams and employed more women than formerly.
Material shortages of various kinds have also
handicapped the industry. Sugar and shorten­
ing have been major problems, but adequate
substitutes have been devised with little sacri­
fice of quality. Fortunately, there has been no
shortage of wheat flour as there was during the
First World War. Most raw material shortages
are expected to end as soon as supplies flow
through normal channels of distribution.
The baking industry has also had its quota of
equipment difficulties. Expanded production, to­
gether with a lack of materials and available
manpower for proper maintenance, has over­
taxed machinery and given rise to acute needs
for replacement. To prevent further impair­
ment of productivity, machinery allotments have
recently been made to this industry. In the post­
war period the equipment situation will depend
largely upon progress in reconversion. No ex­
tensive changes in type of machinery are in im­
mediate prospect because methods of baking
have remained substantially unchanged since
the outbreak of the war.

The cost-price-profit structure which was in
jeopardy in the early stages of the war has im­
proved as a result of the elimination of consign­
ment selling, reduction in ceiling prices of pastry
flour, and enforced economies in distribution.
The industry generally reacted favorably to most
of the Food Distribution and ODT orders, and
hopes to retain the desirable features of these
regulations. It is feared, however, that if these
mandatory regulations were suddenly abolished,
the beneficial effects would not long remain.
Consignment selling, for example, was abolished
by voluntary cooperation during World War I
but subsequently crept back under the stress
of competition.
Baking Industry of Philadelphia
The baking industry of Philadelphia has not
grown as rapidly as that of the United States.
Both employment and value of output declined
from 6 per cent of the national totals in 1899
to about 4 per cent in 1939. This is to be ex­
pected in view of the westward shift of the coun­
try’s population and the local character of
baking arising from the perishability of its
products.
Output of the baking industry in Philadelphia
rose from $52 million in 1939 to $72 million in
1943, an increase of almost 40 per cent. (See
Chart 3.) Employment decreased from 8,000
workers to 7,400 during the same period. Higher
dollar volume reflects, in part, greater wartime
purchases of the more expensive bakery spe­
cialties. Nevertheless the physical output in­
creased despite a shrinking labor force. This
was accomplished by restricted wartime deliv­
eries of bakery products and longer hours of
work.
According to estimates submitted by Phila­
delphia bakers, volume of output in the imme­
diate post-war period is expected to be about 20
%Per cent below the wartime peak but 10 per cent

CHART III

BAKING INDUSTRY OF PHILADELPHIA
MILLIONS

THOUSANDS

80
70
60
50

VALUE OF PRODUCTS

‘

(SCALE LErT)

WAGE EARNERS

"

(scale rtchtJ '

T9 '21 '23 2 5 27 29 '31 '33 35 37 39

above the 1939 level. Employment is expected
to be slightly above the 1943 peak.
Conclusion
The baking industry is in an enviable position
so far as the immediate post-war period is con­
cerned. It has no problems of reconversion; it
has not over-expanded; and there has been no
serious wartime inflation of prices. There is less
prospect of a repetition of inventory losses suf­
fered after the last war because the industry is
required to keep inventories at moderate levels.
The major problems are expected in the field
of marketing. Wartime restrictions have had
salutary effects but it will be difficult to retain
current practices after the controls are removed.
The demand for bread is relatively stable,
regardless of changes in consumer purchasing
power. However, should output of cakes, pas­
tries, and other semi-luxury items continue to
increase in importance, production in the baking
industry will become increasingly susceptible to
fluctuations in consumer incomes.

Business and Banking
(Continued from Page 1)

was sharply curtailed, as widespread storms and
exceptionally severe winter weather prevented
the prompt return of coal cars to the collieries
for reloading. Output of crude petroleum de­
creased in January for the third successive
month and was 15 per cent less than a year ago.




Factory employment in Pennsylvania was vir­
tually unchanged from December to January,
although some decline ordinarily occurs over the
year-end inventory period.
The number of
workers, estimated at some 1,200,000, was about
6 per cent less than in January 1944. Decreases
from the preceding year, which had grown proPage Nine

element of uncertainty in the supply outlook
stems from the fact that the current working
agreements between miners and mine operators
expire within the next two months.

PRODUCTION AND PRICES
PERCENT

1935-39AV G-slOO

200

PR DI CTI0N *

0
PHILA. FEDER AL RESERVE
DIST RICT
175

150

WHOLESALE
COMMODITY PRICES U S.
J L«-»—i—

125

r ~t V
COST OF LIVING
in phii Ann PHIA

IOO ZfisrT*
75

*ADJ. FOR SEASONAL V< RIATION

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

gressively larger from March through last
November, have tended to level off. Payrolls
also reflect a somewhat greater degree of sta­
bility in manufacturing lines over the past sev­
eral months. Approximating $54 million a week
in January, they were about the same as in
December and only 2 per cent smaller than a
year ago. Total working time decreased slightly
in the month and was down 6 per cent in the
year.
The weekly income of wage earners at report­
ing plants in Pennsylvania averaged $48.58 in
January, slightly more than in December, and 5
per cent above last year. The increase in both
the month and year reflected advances in aver­
age hourly earnings. Averaging $1.09 in Jan­
uary, they were the highest in records covering
nearly two decades. Earnings on this basis have
shown an almost uninterrupted rise over the en­
tire period of defense and war activity, with the
increase since mid-1940 amounting to almost 50
per cent. Average working time decreased
slightly from December to January to just under
45 hours a week.
Continued heavy consumption of coal for in­
dustrial and heating purposes while production
failed to reach anticipated levels has created the
most serious supply problem experienced in
many years. In spite of the broad conservation
measures taken in recent weeks, reserves of both
anthracite and bituminous fuel have been re­
duced to unusually low levels, with the result
that estimates of the deficit in the coal year
ending March 81 have been revised upward
substantially in the past several weeks. Another
Page Ten



Output of anthracite declined from an average
of nearly 183,000 tons a day in December to
about 163,000 tons in January. Production on
this basis was down almost one-fifth from a year
earlier, and the smallest of any like month since
the early nineteen thirties. At bituminous mines
in Pennsylvania output showed a smaller than
seasonal increase from December, and was 13
per cent less than in January 1944. Although
the tonnage of soft coal mined in the country as
a whole has increased considerably since the
turn of the year, output in January was 3 per
cent, or more than 1J4 million tons below the
high level reached twelve months earlier.
Building activity decreased nationally and
locally from December to January. Expendi­
tures for new construction in the country totaling
$340 million showed only a small decline in the
month, but were down nearly one-tenth from
January 1944. The decline in the year was en­
tirely in the publicly financed field, where ex­
penditures were reduced approximately 30 per
cent.
Construction undertaken with private
funds was 14 per cent larger in January this
year than last.
In this district, the value of contracts awarded
decreased 8 per cent in January and was nearly
one-third less than a year earlier. Sharp de­
clines from December were reported in awards
for all types of construction except educational
buildings and public works and utilities. The
dollar volume of January placements was the
smallest reported for that month since 1935.
The acute shortage of lumber and certain other
building materials and the continued manpower
stringency suggest that the present low level
of construction activity may persist through the
spring and summer months at least.
Freight-car loadings in January were main­
tained a little above the level of the preceding
month but were somewhat smaller than a year
earlier. On an adjusted basis, loadings of agri­
cultural commodities and ore showed increases
of 10 per cent or more in the month; the move­
ment of merchandise and miscellaneous freight
increased slightly, while declines occurred in the
case of less than car-lot merchandise and solid

fuels. The only increases over January 1944
were reported in shipments of live stock and
miscellaneous freight. In other categories de­
clines ranged from about 5 per cent to more than
one-third, reflecting principally traffic delays
occasioned by the unusually severe winter
weather prevailing throughout the entire month.
Trade. Business at wholesale showed virtually
no change from December to January, but was
somewhat larger than a year earlier. The dollar
volume of drug, dry goods, and grocery sales
increased in the month, while decreases, in most
cases substantial, occurred in other reporting
lines. Changes over the twelve months also were
mixed, with increased sales of drugs, electrical
supplies, groceries, and hardware partly offset
by declines in dollar volume at establishments
handling dry goods, jewelry, and paper. Inven­
tories decreased in the month and year in a
majority of wholesale lines; in the aggregate,
the value of stocks was down 4 per cent in
January and about one-tenth less than a year
earlier.
Retail dollar sales by department, apparel
and shoe stores in this district were considerably
larger in January this year than last. Compari­
sons with December, however, showed no such
uniform pattern; on an adjusted basis depart­
ment and women’s apparel stores sales increased
about one per cent, while declines of 25 and 13
per cent respectively occurred at men’s apparel
and shoe stores. Sales of furniture, unadjusted
for seasonal change, dropped sharply from De­
cember to January, but were moderately larger
than a year earlier. Inventories at department
stores showed a small contra-seasonal increase
in the month, and they were unusually well
maintained at women’s apparel stores. Stocks
at shoe stores declined rather sharply from the
December level, but no significant change was
reported by furniture stores. Declines from
January 1944 were shown in all lines.
Department store sales, which last year
reached a record volume estimated at some
$388 million for the district as a whole, showed
increases over 1943 ranging from 3 per cent in
the main store home furnishings department to
25 per cent in the piece goods department.
Within these extremes were gains of 11 per cent
in women’s apparel, 7 per cent in men’s and
boys’ wear, and 12 per cent in small wares.
Gains by main store and basement departments




DEPARTMENT STORE SALES AND STOCKS
THIRD FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

SALES

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

were very nearly proportionate from 1943 to
1944, while in the preceding year sales increased
9 per cent in the main store but declined 3 per
cent elsewhere.
Sales in the great majority of individual
lines increased last year, the only declines being
in furs, floor coverings, major household appli­
ances, and housewares. The luxury tax imposed
on furs last spring doubtless restricted consumer
demand in this category, while war induced
shortages were chiefly responsible for smaller
sales of the durable items.
Over the war period to the end of 1944 these
stores experienced an average annual increase
in sales of approximately $30 million. The
sharpest rise in any single year was $42 million,
or about 16 per cent, reported in 1941. Sub­
sequent gains aggregating $88 million or 29
per cent were reported over the three years
ended in 1944. Although further expansion in
dollar volume is entirely possible during 1945,
the increasing difficulty of replenishing stocks is
expected to impose greater limitations on con­
sumer purchasing than in any of the other war
years.
Banking conditions. Developments at report­
ing banks in this district over the past month
were in line with expectations between loan
drives. Customers’ deposits continued to ex­
pand, despite currency outflow and repayments
on loans, and by February 21 had recovered
nearly one-half of the loss sustained during the
drive and the subsequent period of heavy tax
payments In part this reflected Treasury payPage Eleven

DEPOSITS AT MEMBER BANKS
THIRD FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

MILLIONS $
3200 r

2800

PHILADELPHIA
BANKS .
2400

2000

1600

'■‘-COUNTRY BANKS

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

ments to individuals and business concerns from
accumulated funds. Withdrawals from United
States Government and interbank balances were
sufficiently heavy to reduce total deposits in the
month by some $40 million to $2,748 million.
Over the longer term, as shown in the chart cov­
ering all member banks in the district, the
trend of deposits has been upward, with gains
at country banks over the past year much
greater than at city banks in this district.
Investments of banks in leading cities reached
a new high early in February, but by the 21st
had dropped to $2,035 million, showing a net
decline of $20 million over a four-week period.
Steps taken to maintain reserves in the face of
declining deposits were reflected in a decrease
of $31 million in Treasury bills; holdings of
United States bonds, which had been rising
steadily, also were reduced somewhat, but there
was a corresponding increase in certificates.
The reporting banks have been adding slowly
but steadily to their holdings of miscellaneous
securities since the turn of the year.
Loans have dropped further this year, declin­
ing from $447 million late in 1944 to $417

Page Twelve



million on February 21. This reflected contrac­
tion in commercial loans to the lowest point in
nearly five years, repayments on advances made
during the loan drive to carry Governments, and
smaller borrowings by other banks. Many ex­
pect loans to expand with the coming of peace,
as banks assist financially in the reconversion
and renovation of plant and equipment, in the
restoration of civilian inventories, and in the
extension of consumer credit. Whatever the
volume of this new demand, it can hardly be
expected to restore loans to their pre-war im­
portance. Fifteen years ago loans made up
two-thirds of the earning assets of all member
banks in this district; a decade later the propor­
tion was two-fifths; and by December 31, 1944,
it was only one-sixth.
Reserves of Third District banks have declined
somewhat in the past four weeks, while con­
tinuing above a year ago. Seasonal return of
currency in the weeks immediately after the
holidays was followed by a substantial outflow,
and a still larger volume of funds was taken
from the local market by Treasury operations.
These losses were largely offset by gains in
commercial transactions with other districts and
funds provided by the Federal Reserve Bank.
Direct loans of this Bank increased more than
$11 million, and its holdings of Treasury bills
under repurchase option increased $56 million
to $244 million.
Records for the last half of January show
that in this district and in the nation the bulk
of the excess reserves of member banks are
held by country banks. For banks in Philadel­
phia the proportion of excess to required re­
serves averaged 3}4 per cent, as against 5 per
cent for all reserve city banks; at country banks
the district proportion was 24 per cent, compared
with 24j4 per cent for all member banks in this
reserve classification.

BUSINESS STATISTICS
Production

Employment and Income

Philadelphia Federal Reserve District

in Pennsylvania
Industry, Trade and Service

Adjusted for seasonal
variation
Indexes: 1923-5-100

Mo.
ago

Metal products.....................................
Textile products...................................
Transportation equipment................
Food products......................................
Tobacco and products........................
Building materials...............................
Chemicals and products....................
Leather and products.........................
Paper and printing..............................
Individual lines
Pig iron...................................................
Steel.......................... ..............................
Silk manufactures...............................
Woolen and worsteds.........................
Cotton products...................................
Carpets and rugs.................................
Hosiery...................................................
Underwear.............................................
Cement...................................................
Brick. .................. ................................ ..
Lumber and products.........................
Slaughtering, meat packing..............
Sugar refining........................................
Canning and preserving.....................
Cigars. ................................................. ..
Paper and wood pulp.........................
Printing and Publishing
Shoes.......................................................
Leather, goat and kid.........................
Paints and varnishes..........................
Coke, by-product.................................
COAL MINING................. ...................
Anthracite..............................................
Bituminous........................................
CRUDE OIL............................................
ELECTRIC POWER...........................
Sales, total.............................................
Sales to industries................................
BUILDING CONTRACTS
TOTAL AWARDSt...............................
Residential t...........................................
Non residential!....................................
Public works and utilities!...............

138p
144p
219p
91 p
181
65p
525p
119p
104
38
I70p
94p
94

141
146
219
96
lB2r
70
525
124
127
36 r
175r
97
94r

151 r
15Sr
244r
93
190
68 r
637 r
119r
117
41
171
lOOr
95

Employment

%C tenge
Jan. 1945
fr om

Jan. Dec. Jan.
1945 1944 1944

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION.........
MANUFACTURING...........................

Not adjusted
Jan. Dec. Jan.
1945 1944 1944

99
95 107 + 5
137 145 r 144 - 5
86
81
83 - 6
64p 70
59 r - 8
43
42
47 + 2
62p 63
54r
0
65
71
72 - 9
139
145 150 - 4
35
32 r 40 +10
50
49 r 56 + 3
34
31r 33 + 9
— 3*
97 107 127 -10
143 160 r 141 -10
157p 155
144 r +1
103 126 117 -18
85
84
86 + 2
95
97
97 - 1
125 128 120 - 2
65p 67
80 - 3
103
97
107 + 6
169p 172
168 - 2
63
70
77 -11
61
69
75 -12
76
82
89 - 5
327 340 383 - 4
431 413 405 + 5
444 426 430 + 4
358 377 368 - 5
a*
25
33
38 -23
6
^6
38 + 2
51
60
54 -14
26
53
26 -51

* Unadjusted for seasonal variation.
13-month moving daily average centered at 3rd month.

_
__
_
+
+
_
_
_
+
+
+
_
_
+
_
—
—
_
+
+

137p 139
142p 144

149r
154r

174
67p
529p
117p
86
33
167p
97p
94
96
135
83
64p
43
62p
67
137
25
47
31
129
105
99
156p
85
84
95
127
69p
93
169p
64
61
88
314
457
458
347

7
5
3
8
8
14
10
7
12
11
3
24
l
9
12
1
2
4
19
3
0
18
19
13
15
7
3
3

174
70
540 r
122
92
33 r
171 r
90
95r

94 103
136 r 141
88r 85
65
60r
45
47
63
54r
69
75
144r 147
26 r 28
47
52
30 r 30
115
104 r
157
91
85
98
108
73
94
167
71
69
86
320
442
439
358

28
_ 32
5
_ 85
55
_ 6
0
34
p—Preliminary.
r—Revised.

183
70r
643 r
116r
97
35
167
103
95

139
97
139 r
96
85
97
123
85r
96
168
78
75
102
368
429
443 r
357

37
6
64
64

42
31
59
33

Lancaster............
Philadelphia....

Wilkes-Barre....
Williamsport....
Wilmington........
York.....................

FaclLory
emplo rment

FadLory
pay oils

Buil ding
pennits
va ue

Dec.
1944

Jan.
1944

Dec.
1944

Jan.
1944

Dec.
1944

Jan.
1944

Dec.
1944

Jan.
1944

—
+
—
—
-

1
1
1
1
2
1
0
+1

— 6
+ 1
0
— 2
-12
-10
— 5
+10

+
—
+
+
—
—

2
3
3
6
3
2
1
3

+ 4
+14
+ 4
+ 2
-11
— 5
— 2
+29

- 52
+ 22
- 82
+468
+ 57

- 77
+329
- 76
+124
+ 69

+ 2
-10
-10
- 2

+
-

2
5
5
3

+22
- 7
- 8
+ 4

- 31
+ 15
- 26
+179
- 60
- 80
+ 18

+ 5
+17
+ 4
+12
+ 2
+ 8

+1
+1
- 2
- 1

- 42
- 17
+ 17
+ 19
+ 12
- 53
+475

-59
-57
-57
-57
-58
—52
-59
-62
66
-57
-59
-60

+14
+ 6




- 4
0
- 7
0
- 9
- 5
+ 2
0
-18
- 2
- 1
- 2
- 1

- 5
- 6
-12
-10
+1
-12
- 1
- 1
+ 4
- 2
0
- 2
- 2

325
487
86
343
102
232
244
150
162
149
175
172
151

Employment*

- 2
0
- 8
+ 4
-13
- 4
0
+ 2
-16
- 2
- 2
- 2
+ 2

- 2
- 2
- 6
- 9
- 4
-14
+ 6
+ 9
+ 5
+ 4
+ 9
0
0

Payrolls*

Per cent
Per cent
Jan. change from Jan. change from
1945
1945
index Dec. Jan. index Deo. Jan.
1944 1944
1944 1944

Indexes: 1923-5 -100

TOTAL......................................
Iron, steel and products___
Nouferroua metal products.
Transportation equipment.
Textiles and clothing...........
Textiles.................................
Clothing................................
Food products........................
Stone, clay and glass......
Lumber products..................
Chemicals and products....
Leather and products..........
Paper and printing...............
Printing.................................
Others:
Cigars and tobacco............
Rubber tires, goods...........
Musical instruments.........

115
124
213
153
78
72
101
125
82
50
116
71
100
94
50
153
91

0
0

- 2
- 2
- 2
- 1
0
- 2
0
0
- 2
- 2

- 6
- 6
+10
-15
- 5
- 4
- 8
+ 3
- 7
+ 3
- 5
- 7
- 2
0

199
273
461
281
121
113
161
192
122
83
212
116
149
130

0
- 3
- 4
- 1
- 3
- 3
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 2
- 3

- 2
- 2
+ 9
-10
0
0
0
+ 6
- 4
+ 8
+ 1
- 1
+ 2
+ 2

- 1
+ 3
- 2

-13
+1
- 6

74
336
137

- 4
+12
+ 11

- 9
+12
-24

+1
- 1

0
0
- 1

* Figures from 2808 plants..

De bits
Dec.
1944

+ 3

+19

129
178
43
72
42
74
133
97
116
102
101
97
93

Manufacturing

Factory workers
Averages
January 1945
and per cent change
from year ago

Re tail
sa ea

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

GENERAL INDEX............
Manufacturing......................
Anthracite mining................
Bituminous coal mining...
Building and construction..
Quar. and nonmet. mining.
Crude petroleum prod.........
Public utilities.......................
Retail trade...........................
Wholesale trade....................
Hotels........................... ..
Laundries...............................
Dyeing and cleaning...........

Hours and Wages

Local Business Conditions *
Percentage
change—
January
1945 from
month and
year ago

Per cent
Per cent
Jan. changefrom Jan. changefrom
1945
1945
index Dec. Jan. index Dec. Jan.
1944 1944
1914 1944

Indexes: 1932 =100

Year
ago

- 2 _ 8
- 2 _ 8
10
0
— 5
7
- 1
5
- 7 _ 4
0 _ 18
- 4 + 1
-18
12
+ 7 _ 6
- 3
0
- 3 _ 6
-1 — 2

Payrolls

Jan.
1944
+ 9
+15

-13
— 6
-12
-38
-34
-10
— 2
-26
-16

+ 3
+12

+
—
+
+

4
3

7

6

TOTAL.............................
Iron, steel and prods...
Nonfer. metal prods.. .
Transportation equip..
Textiles and clothing..
lextiles........................
Clothing.......................
Food products...............
Stone, clay and glass...
Lumber products.........
Chemicals and prods...
Leather and prods........
Paper and printing....
Printing.........................
Others:
Cigars and tobacco...
Rubber tires, goods. .
Musical instruments.

Weekly
working
time*

Hourly
earnings*

Wee klU
earnixigaf

Aver­
age Ch’ge Aver­ Ch'ge Aver­
hours
age
age
44.8
46.1
45 9
46.9
39 7
40.8
36.8
43.4
40.1
42.7
45.6
41.8
43 5
39.9

Ch’ga

0 $1,089 + 5 $48.58 + 5
- 1
1.149 + 5 53 01 + 4
0 1.022 + 2 46.96 + 2
0 1.294 + 9 60 69 + 9
0
.798 + 7 31.58 + 1
0
.809 + 5 33 02 + 6
0
.768 +12 28.48 + 11
+1
.812 + 1
35.57 + 3
+ 2
.927 + 2 36.95 + 3
- 3
.794 + 7 33.77 + 3
+1
1.087 + 5 49 49 + 6
+1
.774 + 6 32.46 + 7
+1
.924 + 4 40.48 + 5
- 1 1.078 + 4 43.11 + 3

42.1 - 2
.644 + 7 27.10 + 5
44.8
0 1.088 + 8 48.68 + 8
42.8 -13
.922 - 7 39.46 -19
* Figures from_2664 plants.
t Figures from 2808 plants.

Page Thirteen

Distribution and Prices

,

a
V\ \

Adjusted for seasonal
variation
Per cent
change

Percen change
Jan. 1945
fit>m

Wholesale trade
Unadjusted for seasonal
variation
^

Indexes: 1935-1939 =100

Month
ago
0
+16
+62
-28
+ 4
-11
-40
- 6

+ 3
+ 2
-10
+ 6
+ 9
+14
-24
- 5

Inventories
Total of all lines.......................
Dry goods.................................
Electrical supplies..................
Groceries...................................
Hardware..................................
Jewelry......................................
Paper.........................................

- 4
-15
- 5
- 7
+ 2
+ 7
- 5

-10
-34
+17
-16
- 6
-27
+ 5

Basic commodities
(Aug. 1939=100)....
Wholesale
(1926=100)................
Farm.............................
Food..............................
Other............................
Living costs
(1935-1939=100)___
United States.............
Philadelphia...............
Food...........................
Clothing.....................
Fuels...........................
Housefurnishings...
Other..........................
Source: U. S. Bureau

RETAIL TRADE
Sales
Department stores—District.....................................
Philadelphia............................
Women’s apparel...........................................................
Men’s apparel.................................................................
Shoe...................................................................................

183

0

+ 2

+ 83

105
126
105
99

0
+1
- 1
0

+ 2
+ 4
0
+ 1

+ 40
+107
+ 56
+ 24

0 + 2
0
+ 2
0
0
0 + s
0 + 1
0
+13
0 + 3
Statistics.

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

29
28
45
45
13
41
20

174p
170
174p
130
153p

Inventories
Department stores—District.....................................
Philadelphia............................
Women’s apparel...........................................................
Shoe...................................................................................

Per cent change from
Jan.
1945 Month Year Aug.
1939
ago
ago

127
126
135
144
109
141
121
of Labor

Jan. Dec. Jan.
1945 1944 1944

Month Year
ago
ago

Source: U. S. Department of Commerce.

Prices

Jan. 1945
fre>m

Jan. Dec. Jan.
1945 1944 1944

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

Not adjusted

FREIGHT-CAR LOADINGS
Total...................................................................................
Merchandise and miscellaneous................................
Merchandise—l.c.l.........................................................
Coal...................................................................................
Ore.....................................................................................
Coke..................................................................................
Forest products.............................................................
Grain and products.......................................................
Livestock.........................................................................
MISCELLANEOUS
Life insurance sales.......................................................
Business liquidations
Check payments............................................................
* Computed from unadjusted data.

159r
152
154r
111
141

+1
+ 9
134p 305 122
134 287r 120
+ 7
+11
151p 285 133r
+13
+ 1
-25
133 317 112
+17
120p 211 110
-13
+ 9
—53* + 6*

141p 132
125
133
I83p 168
72p 80

149
147
195
98

+ 7
+ 6
+ 9
-10
0*

- 5
- 9
- 6
-27
- 8*

124p 120
119
118
159 164
62p 72

131
131
170
85

132
136
85
116
130
164
118
121
164

131
134
86
119
113
173
106
111
128

140
136
89
136
200
189
129
139
153

+ 1
+ 2
- 2
- 2
+15
- 5
+n
+ 10
+28

- 5
+1
- 5
-15
-35
-13
- 9
-13
+ 7

126
127
80
130
50
188
95
118
166

125
127
85
128
57
187
91
115
139

133
126
83
152
76
218
105
135
154

118

106

113

+n

+ 5

112

114

107

188

-71*
-45*
+ 5

-71*
-41*
+ 5

3
10
5
9
196. 226

10
81
186

171
158
173
174
177

198

189

p—Preliminary.

r—Revised*

BANKING STATISTICS
MEMBER BANK RESERVES AND RELATED FACTORS
Changes in—
Reporting member
banks
(Millions $)
Assets
Commercial loans..................
Loans to brokers, etc.......
Other loans to carry Becur...
Loans on real estate..............

Feb.
21,
1945

223
34
15
34

Changes in weeks ended—
Jan. 31 Feb. 7 Feb. 14 Feb. 21

Third Federal Reserve District
(Millions of dollars)
Four
weeks

One
year

Sources of funds:
Reserve Bank credit extended in district.................. ..
Commercial transfers (chiefly interdistrict).......................
Treasury operations...................................................................

6
2
1
3
5

+

4

7

-

52

Member bank reserve deposits..............................................
“Other deposits” at Reserve Bank.......................................
Other Federal Reserve accounts............................................
Total............................................................................................

39
14
i
4

Other loans...............................

iii

—
+

Total loans.............................

417

-

Government securities..........
Obligations fully guar’teed. .
Other securities......................

1810
54
171

- 30
- 2
+ 12

+ 212
- 15
6

Total investments................

2035

- 20

+ 191

Total loans & investments..
Reserve with F. R. Bank.. .
Cash in vault..........................
Balances wi th other banks...
Other assets—net...................

2452
406
28
76
51

- 27
+ 2
- 2
- 4
+ i

+ 139
+ 50
2
1
- 11

Liabilities
Demand deposits, adjusted..
Time deposits..........................
U. S. Government deposits..
Interbank deposits.................
Borrowings...............................
Other liabilities.......................
Capital account......................

Page Fourteen



1748
194
473
333
8
17
240

+
+
+
+

38
3
63
19
8
1
4

+ 222
+ 24
- Ill
- 18
7
4
h 11

+37.5
+ 3.8
-37.8

-31.7
+23.8
+12.3

+31.8
+14.8
-35.6

+31.9
+ 3.6
-25.4

+69.5
+46.0
-86.5

+ 3.5

-

+
-

Changes
in four
weeks

+ 4.4

+11.0

+10.1

+29.0

+
+
-

4.0
1.1
1.5
0.1

+10.2
- 6.0
+ 0.1
+ 0.1

+11.5
- 1.2
+ 0.6
+ 0.1

+12.9
- 2.8
+ 0.0
- 0.0

+38.6
- 8.9
- 0.8
+ 0.1

+ 3.5

+ 4.4

+11.0

+10.1

+29.0

Uses of funds:

Member bank
reserves
(Daily averages;
dollar figures in
millions)

Held

Re­
quired

Ex­
cess

Ratio
of
excess
to re­
quired

Federal Reserve
Bank of Phila.
(Dollar figures in
millions)
$

*354
388
389
392

*336
373
376
380

18
15
13
12

Country banks
1944: Feb. 1-15..
1945: Jan. 1-15..
Jan. 16-31..
Feb. 1-15..

271
316
308
301

208
247
249
251

63
69
59
50

6%
4
3
3
30
28
24
20

Four
weeks

11.8
2.8
1260.2

+*11.3
+
.1
+ 22.7

+$ 8.4
1.3
+ 437.0

+$34.1
+ 31.6
- 8.9
+ 29.1
+ 13.1
.8
+ 29.1

+$444.1
+ 289.2
+ 84.8
6.7
- 32.4
2.7
- 120.3
- 13.7%

One
year

Discounts and
Industrial loans........

Phila. banks
1944: Feb. 1-15..
1945: Jan. 1-15..
Jan. 16-31. .
Feb. 1-15..

Changes in

Feb.
21,
1945

$1274.8
Note circulation.... 1459.1
Member bk. deposits 684.0
U. S. general account
42.1
Foreign deposits....
109.6
4.8
1032.1
44.9%