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MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS C. C. WALSH Chairman and Federal Reserve Agent CHAS. C. HALL-W. J. EVANS Assistant Federal Reserve Agents (Compiled February 15, 1934) Vclume 19, No. 1 Dallas, Texas, March 1, 1934 This eopy Is l'eleased for publieatlon In afternoon paper&- Mar • 2 DISTRICT SUMMARY THE SITUATION AT A GLANCE Eleventh Fedeml Reserve District Chango from December Jnnuary 1934 Bank debits to Individual accounts (at 17 Dcities) ................................. . . h apartment stor~ soles ... ...... .... ... . .... . " eservo bank loana to member banka at end nof month . .. .. ... ....... ............... . . Beservo bank ratio at end of month .. . .. .... . Cuilding permit valuotion at largor centers . . . . COmmorclR1 failures (number) .. ........... . . . 01mmcreial failures (liabilities) ......... . . .. . ...!....!?roduction (barrels) .. .. ... ... .. . . . ... .. . 1564,803,000 241.239 59.3% 760,294 27 S 502,373 29.644.950 - 5 .0% 52 .6% - 57 .9% - 4.6% 18 .2% - 1.3 pointe ~ 65.g~ . A low business mortality rate and a broadening of activity bn ?istributive channels were constructive features of the ~IlSIness and industrial situation during the past month. lhhe number of commercial failures in January was smaller l an. in December and both the number of in~olvencies and he Indebtedness involved were lower than many corre~Ponding month in fourteen years. Sales of department stores In principal cities evidenced a seasonal recession of 53 per Ce from the large December volume, yet there was a gain ~ 32 per cent over January, 1933, which is the largest in/e as e for a current month over the corresponding month a IVbr earlier reported since the recovery set in last spring. \\>. olesale distribution reflected a large gain as compared ~~ both the previous month and the same month last year. n lIe retailers are holding commitments mostly to nearby ~eds, there is a disposition to stock a larger assortment of III e~chandise in order to meet the broadening consumer de\\> and. Debits to individual accounts at banks in leading cities cere 5 per cent smaller than in December, but were 21 per ellt greater than those in January last year. tt The position of the agricultural and livestock industries in the Eastern half of the district has been greatly improved by the heavy general rains during the past six weeks. On the other hand, the Western half of the district continued to reflect the effects of sub·normal rainfall. The condition of small grains and ranges is poor to only fair. Heavy general rains in the immediate future are needed to stimulate the growth of small grains, to start grass and weeds on the ranges, and to provide moisture for the completion of land preparation and the planting of spring crops. Livestock prices, which followed a downward trend in 1933, have shown some recovery since the first of the year and trading on the ranges is more active. The reserve deposits of member banks reflected a large expansion between January 15 and February 15. The total on the latter date amounted to $110,622,000, which is $16,179,000 greater than a month earlier and $59,805,000 larger than a year ago. Member banks practically liquidated their borrowings at the Federal Reserve Bank during the past month. The daily average of combined net demand and time deposits of member banks rose to $698,123,000 in January, reflecting a gain of $17,260,000 over the previous month and $87,061,000 over a year ago. The loans of member banks in leading cities declined seasonally between January 10 and February 7, but their investments showed a large expansion. The subscriptions to the United States Treasury notes dated February 19 totaled $111,660,700 and allotments of $19,. 791,300 were made. The valuation of building permits issued in principal cities during January was 5 per cent less than in December but exceeded that in January, 1933, by 6 per cent. BUSINESS rholesale An active demand for merchandise at tilde wholesale was visible in most portions of dut' the Eleventh Federal Reserve District go lng the past month. January sales of groceries and dry oc Ods. reflected larger gains over December than usually th CUr .In this month, and while a slight decline was shown in it e dIstribution of hardware through wholesale channels \vas attributable to seasonal influences. All lines reported sizable increases as compared with a year ago, which ranged from 27.0 per cent in the case of drugs to 218.9 per cent in the case of farm implements. Stocks on hand were increased somewhat during the month in the case of every reporting line. An upward trend in the prices of some commodities was reported. Seasonal declines were reported in the J anuary volume of collections in all lines with the exception of drugs. This publication was digitized and made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Historical Library (FedHistory@dal.frb.org) - MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW 2 More than the usual seasonal expansion was reflected in the distribution of dry goods during January, the increase over the previous month amounting to 93.6 per cent. Business was on a scale 83.8 per cent larger than in January, 1933, which is the most favorable such comparison reported since last July. Wholesalers enlarged their inventories 17.2 per cent during the month. While collections were seasonally 32.2 per cent smaller than in December, their ratio to accounts receivable outstanding at the close of the previous month reflected an increase. The large expansion in sales of farm implements at wholesale, which usually occurs in January, was not witnessed last month although business was well sustained on about the same scale as in December. An increase of 218.9 per cent over January, 1933, was reflected, as against a similar increase of 312.9 per cent in the preceding month. Inventories on hand at the close of the month were practically the same as a year ago, a slight gain being shown as compared with December 31. A further seasonal decline in collections was reported. Due in part to seasonal influences, an increase of 7.0 per cent occurred in the distribution of drugs through wholesale channels during January. As compared with the same month last year, sales were 27.0 per cent larger, whereas in December there was a similar gain of only 4.3 per cent. Stocks on hand increased during the month but remained somewhat below the level of a year ago. The volume of January collections was 7.9 per cent in excess of that of the previous month. The demand for hardware at wholesale in this district declined seasonally in January by 0.8 per cent, and the volume of sales reported was 65.6 per cent above that in the same month a year ago. Business during the month was rather spotty, and firms located in some areas showed material gains as compared with December. Less than the usual seasonal decline in collections was reflected in January. The business of reporting wholesale grocery firms in the Eleventh District showed an expansion of 10.5 per cent in January over December, which is larger than seasonal, and it was on a scale 28.3 per cent higher than in January a year ago. Buying demand appeared to be fair to good in most sections. January collections totaled 9.1 per cent less than those reported in the preceding month. CONDITION OF WHOLESALE TRADE DURING JANUARY, 1934 Peroentage of Inorenso or deoreBllo In- Groceries ................ Drygocds ............... Farmimplements ......... Hardware ............... Drugs ................... Net Sales January, 1984 compared with JBn., Deo" 1933 1933 + 28 .3 +10 .5 + 88 .8 +98 .6 +218.9 + .2 + 65 .6 - .8 + 27.0 7.0 Stooks January, 1084 compared with Jan., Dec., 1033 1033 +27.8 + 2.4 +00.8 +17.2 - .1 + 1.8 + .1 + 1.0 -1.9 + 3.1 + The demand for merchandise during January at department stores in principal: cities of the Eleventh District was we sustained. Total sales exceeded those in the opening month of 1933 by 31.6 per cent, and while a decline of 52.6 per cent was evidenced as compared with December, the receSSiOn was only slightly larger than the 1921-31 average for th a: comparison. The seasonally adjusted index of departIIlen store sales, as compiled by this bank, declined from 78.2 pe~ cent of the 1923-25 average in December to 67.5 per ceoS in January, but it exceeded that of January, 1933, by 13. points. Despite the mild weather that prevailed during the early part of February reports indicate that business COO' tinued on a scale well above that a year ago. Retail Trade Inventories held by merchants on January 31 were 12,9 per cent greater than those on hand at the close of J anuart 1933, and they were in practically the same volume as t k stocks held on the final day of December. The rate of stoC turnover during the initial month of 1934 was .24" as coJll' pared with .20 in January, 1933. Collections on open accounts reHected a contrary to 5ea'b sonal increase during the past month and were in muc. larger volume than a year ago ..The ratio of collections d~\ ing January to accounts outstanding on January 1 was 3 ~ per cent, as against 36.8 per cent in December, and 30.4 p cent in January, 1933. BUSINESS OF DEPARTMENT STORES Total sales (percentage): January, 1934. ccmpared with January, 1088 ................................... . January. 1934, compared with December, 1038 ................................. . . Credit sales (peroentage): January, 1934, comp3red with January, 1083 . ................................. .. January, 1034, compared with December, 1938 ................................. .. Stocks on band at end of month (percentage): January, 1934, compared witli January, 1933 . ........................ ....... .. .. January, 1934, compared with December, 10Sa ... .. ....... . ..................... . Stock turnover (rate): Rate of stock turnover in January, 1933 ....................................... .. Rato of stock turnover in January, 1934 ........................................ . Ratio of January collections to installment accounts rcceil'Bble outstanding Jan. 1, 1034 .. . Ratio of January collections to open accounts outstanding January 1, 1934 .. . ........•.• Indexes of department .tore 8ales: Unadju8ted-January, 1034 .................................................. . Unadjusted-December, 1038 ...... ... ....................................... .. Adju8ted-January, 1034 .. .................................................. .. Adju8ted-December, 1933 . . .......... .. .. ... . ..... . . ... ... ................. .. Indexes of department store Btocks: Unadju8ted-January, 1034 ............................................... ... . . Unadjusted-December, 1033 ...................................... .. ........ . Adju8ted-January, 1934 .. ........................................... .. ... ... . Adjusted-Deoember, 1933 ................................................... . ·Revlsed. Ratio of colleotions during Jun. to aooounts nnd notes outstanding Deoember 31 82.7 39.0 6 .0 47.7 47.0 - DallBII +42.4 -49.4 Fort Worth +26.2 -61.1 Houston +32.6 -58.8 San Antonio +20.2 -40.6 Other. +25.3 -52.5 Total Distriot +31.0 -52.0 +43.4 -47.3 +30.4 -60.3 +41.1 -46.6 +23.1 -49.7 +10.3 -53.1 +34.3 _50.3 +9.4 - 1.0 - +G.9 +28 .4 - 8.8 +17.2 + 3.2 +13 .6 +10.2 +12.0 + .1 .20 .27 16.5 au 2.6 .16 .10 10.1 33.9 .21 .23 ao.s 42.6 64.1 47.S 111.6 62 .5 72.0 68.0 110.3 67 .4 74.6 58.3 155.1 78.8 87.6 141.6 41.2 48 .7 47.4 55.3 57.0 68.6 67.3 38.7 60.0 45.0 83.7 .28 .30 72.0 86.3 64,6 37.4 80.8' 40.7 44.7' .19 .21 23.3 38.0 .20 .24 14.4 37.1 56.7 127. 5 67.6 78.2 46.1 47.2 63.0 64.3 MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW 3 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Commercial Failures According to the report compiled by Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., for the month of J anuary, there were 27 insolvencies in the ~leventh Federal Reserve District as compared with 33 in ecember, and 98 in January, 1933. Total liabilities of defaulting firms increased somewhat over the previous month, amounting to $502,373 in January, as against $303,290 in December, and $1,693,202 in the corresponding month last year. The average indebtedness of these firms, though above that reported in either of the two preceding months, was smaller than the average for the year 1933. AGRICUL TURE Crop Conditions The agricultural situation in the Eleventh District is very spotty. Moisture reserves in South, Central, and East Texas and North Louisiana were greatly improved by the heavy and frequent rainfall during January and the first half of ~ebruary. Light to moderate precipitation also occurred in mOst other sections of the district, but in West and NorthWest Texas and Southern New Mexico the subnormal rainfall since the first of the year added to the cumulated deficiency in moisture reserves. Although land preparation tas been retarded by wet weather in those sections receiving d~avy rainfall and by dry soil in the Western half of the Istrict, this work is generally well advanced. Winter wheat and oats have made good progress in those sections which have received ample moisture but the crop ?as deteriorated in the drier sections. There is a large area III Northwest Texas where seed sown last fall have not germinated. Throughout the drouth area reports indicate that the crop is not stooling out normally which may substantially affect yields. As the growing season is becoming short, the greater portion of the wheat territory needs heavy, soaking rains to enable the crop to make the necessary growth. S Although retarded by the wet soil, the seeding of corn in Quth Texas is making fair progress. This area now has ample moisture to give the crop a good start. The planting of Cotton has started in the lower Rio Grande Valley. Commercial vegetable crops in South Texas showed tnal'ked improvement in January. While crops were in a Crit.ical stage at the turn of the year, due to shortage of ~Qlsture, heavy rains at frequent intervals since that time aVe supplied ample moisture to carry the crops for some Iveeks. The condition of cabbage, carrots, onions, spinach, ~ets, and other winter crops reflected sharp increases during t e month. While the planting of spring crops was delayed :h~ewhat by the frequent rains, growers are well along with hIS work and in the absence of killing frost these crops s QuId come to an early maturity. CONDITION OF COMMERCIAL TRUCK CROPS IN TEXAS -------------------------------------------February I, January I, February I, 1934 Crop l(por cent) bngo .. .............. . ........ . 79 71 B{r~cn~ .......•...... ... . •.. . . . 82 82 80 80 81 73 Onrlifiowor ........... ......... ... . 81 79 gab ~; •••.••••.••. /. B;i~::h::::::::::: :: ::::::::::::: : Livestock 1933 (por cont) 65 54 80 76 74 54 76 CO 80 C8 1934 (por cent) 62 80 80 7i 76 73 82 74 72 Light to heavy rains in many portions of the district's range territory further imi~QSed pastures during the past month. Practically all areas outh, Central, and East Texas have received normal or ~ above normal precipitation since the first of the year and ranges are improving as a good crop of weeds and winter grass is springing up. In West and Northwest Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Southeastern Arizona rainfall has continued below normal and range conditions are poor to only fair. Rains have improved ranges in the Eastern part of the Texas sheep section, but the Western portion is still dry. The mild, open weather during the past month was very favorable for livestock and they have continued in fairly good condition. Despite the poor condition of ranges, supplemental feeding has not been heavy. The condition of ranges in Texas on February 1 remained unchanged from a month earlier at 69 per cent of normal, as the deterioration in the drier areas was offset by improvement elsewhere. The condition figure a year ago was 81 per cent. There was a decline of 1 point in the condition of cattle during the month and the February 1 condition of 73 per cent was 9 points lower than on the corresponding date last year. The condition of sheep was 74 per cent of normal on February 1, as compared with 70 per cent on January 1 and 82 per cent on February 1, 1933. In New Mexico the condition of ranges and cattle showed a slight improvement as compared with a month earlier and a year ago, while that of sheep remained unchanged. There was a decline in Arizona in the condition of ranges and cattle as compared with both the previous month and the corresponding date last year. Movements and Prices The receipts of cattle at Fort Worth during January were noticeably larger than in December and were slightly greater than in January last year. While the arrivals of calves were less than in the previous month, they were substantially above th0se in the same month of 1933. The number of hogs yarded reflected a large increase over both last month and last year. The receipts of sheep were sizably larger than in FORT WORTH LIVESTOCK RECEIPTS (Number) Cattlo ..... .... .. Calvca ......... . Hogs .... ....... . Shoep .......... . January 19S4 29,523 20,262 34,100 24,790 January lOSS 28,711 16,092 25,208 50,886 Chango ovor December Changeover yoar 1983 month + 812 24,415 + 5,108 24,520 4,160 - 4,268 + 8,892 26,919 + 7,181 -26,087 18,393 6,406 + + COMPARATIVE TOP LIVESTOCK PRICES (Doll ... por hundredweight) Beer .toers .............................. . Stocker steers ................... .. ...... . Butohor oows ... ... ..................... . Stockor oows .... '" . . ..... ... ..........•. Calves ....... ......... . ................ . ~:t::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: January 1934 14.86 4.00 3 .26 2.76 4 .50 3.90 4.26 8.50 January 1933 $5.00 4.60 3.00 2 .60 4.90 3.26 2.50 5.40 Deoember 1933 14 .65 3.00 3 .00 2.50 3.76 3.90 3 .26 6.25 -- MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW 4 December, but were less than half those in January a year ago_ Since the first of the year there has been a stronger demand for cattle and the market has had a better tone. Prices on all classes of cattle have been firm to higher. Hog prices fluctuated within narrow limits during January, but showed a substantial increase in the first half of February. At the middle of the month prices paid for the best quality were approximately $1.35 higher than the low in January. Sheep and lamb prices advanced sharply with the top market at the highest level in about three years. FINANCE During the four-week period ending CONDITION OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK February 7, there was a large increase in (In theusonds of dellars) the investments and deposits of member banks in selected cities, but a further seaFeb. 15, Feb. 15, Jan. 15, 1934 1033 1084 sonal decline in loans. Investments in Total cash reserves .. .. ................... $ 05,163 $ 46,081 • 82,468 United States securities totaled $170,953,000 on February 7, Discount. for member bankl! . ..... ....... . . 32 440 4,024 Othcr bills discounted ... . .. . . .. ... . .. . . . . . None None 617 as compared with $139,541,000 four weeks earlier, and $95,Bills bought in open morket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,068 10,225 842 United States scourities owned ............. 06,475 48,002 66,475 011,000 a year ago. Investments in other stocks and bonds 5 Other investmento.. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . . 6 5 Total earning assets .. : . . . .. . . . . . .. .. .. .. . 78,580 77,762 showed only small changes during the period. The loans 52,873 Membcr bank reserve depceit. . . . . . . . . .. .. . 110,622 04,443 50,817 of these banks on securities were reduced $1,133,000 between Fedcral reservo notes in actual eiroulation.. . 41,070 41,470 85,842 Federal reserve bank notes in aotual cireuJanuary 10 and February 7 and "all other" loans (largely lation. .... ..... ................... . ... 9,080 10,430 Nono commercial) declined $5,806,000 during the same period. As compared with a year ago, the total loans of these banks were $25,284,000 smaller. Their net demand deposits Debits to Charges to depositors' accounts at ba?ks amounted to $277,788,000 on February 7, which was $11,- Individual in leading cities in this district dUrIng 072,000 greater than on January 10, and $57,585,000 larger Accounts January aggregated $564,,803,000 as c~J/I' than on February 8, 1933. The time deposits of these banks pared with $594,394,000 in the precedIng increased $2,285,000 during the four-week period, but on month, and $468,867,000 in the opening month of 1933. Th~ February 7 were $5,938,000 below those a year ago. Their reduction from December was seasonal, amounting to 5. reserve deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank totaled $64,,- per cent, and the increase over the same month last year, 180,000 on February 7, which represents a gain of $7,607,000 which amounted to 20.5 per cent, was the largest similar as compared with January 10 and an increase of $35,567,000 comparison recorded since the current recovery set in. as compared with the corresponding date last year. Condition of Member Banks in Selected Cities DEBITS TO- INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS (In thousands of dellors) CONDITION STATISTICS OF MEMBER BANKS IN SELECTED CITIES (In thousands of dollars) Fob. 7, 1934 United States scourities owned ..... . ....... $ 170,953 All other stocke, bonds, and securities owned. 53,402 Loana on scourities. . .......... . . ......... 57,041 All other loona....... . ............. ... ... 137,121 Total loans . .. ... . .. . . .. . . .. . ... .... .. .. . 195,002 Net demand deposit.. . ................... 277,788 Time depceit... . .. .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . 124,202 Reserve with Federal Reserve Bank. . . . . .. . 64,180 Bills payahle and rediscount. with Federal Reserve Bank........... ........ . ... ... None Feb.8, 1933 S 05,011 63,766 68,284 152,002 220,346 220,203 130,230 28,013 Jon. 10, 1934 $ 139,541 53,277 50,074 142,027 202,001 206,716 122,007 50,573 20 190 Member bank borrowings at the Federal Reserve Bank were practically liquidated during the past month. On February 15 these loans amounted to only $32,000 as compared with $440,000 a month earlier, and $4,024,000 on February 15, 1933. Holdings of United States Government securities showed no change during the month, but the total on February 15 was $18,473,000 greater than on the corresponding date last year, Investments in bankers' acceptances totaled $12,068,000 on February 15, as compared with $10,225,000 on January 15, and $84,2,000 on the same date a year ago. The reserve deposits of member banks showed a large increase during the past month. The total of these deposits on February 15 amounted to $110,622,000 which was $16,179,000 greater than a month earlier, and $59,805,000 larger than a year ago. The actual circulation of Federal reserve currency showed a further seasonal decline. The circulation totaled $50,162,000 on February 15, as against $51,909,000 on January 15, and $35,842,000 on February 15, 1933. Operations of the Federal Reserve Bank Abilene, . " .... . Austin ......... . Beaumont . . .... . Corsicana ...... . Dallas ....... .. . EI Paso ....... .. Fert Worth ..... . Galveston ...... . Heuaton .... .... . Port Arthur .... . RoswelL . ...... . San Antenlo .... . Shreveport .... , , Texarkana· .... . TuClon .... .... . . Waco .... ..... .• Wiohita Falls., .. January 1034 $ 5,538 17,016 16,594 3,031 162,073 17,457 56,490 28,021 140,250 5,5S0 2,210 47,530 30,29S 5,015 8,037 12,500 10,400 January 1933 $ 4,663 14,403 14,003 2,756 122,484 14,286 41,945 21,587 124,085 4,464 2,130 47,237 21,477 5,304 7,112 10,718 0,163 Percentage ehange over year +18 .8 +17 .4 + 18 .5 +10 .0 +32 .3 +22.2 34 .7 10 .8 12 .2 i+2U I .6 41.0 10.3 13 .0 +16 .6 +13 .5 Deoember 10a3 S 6,214 18,102 16,668 3,084 177,772 17,176 63,333 23,455 150,016 5,364 2,494 45,516 28,204 5,585 7,624 12,884 10,818 Percont.g o ehango over month -10.9 - 6.0 - .4 - 1.7 - 8.8 + 1.6 -10.8 + 2.0 - 6.5 + 3.1 -11.0 + 4.4 7.1 + 5.0 5.4 - 8.0 - 3.8 + + - Tetal..... $564,803 1408,867 +20.5 $594,304 - 5.0 ·Inolude. figures or two banks In Texarkana, Arkansas, located in the Eighth Distrlot. ~! Acceptance Market Bankers' acceptances executed by ball o' in this district and outstanding on Ja? 51 ary 31 totaled $1,822,684, as agaIn 1 $3,058,066 on December 31, and $796,481 on the last d~l of January, 1933. The decline from the previous month '~c. seasonal in character, and it occurred in the volume of 801 ceptances based on the domestic shipment and storage goods. An increase of $17,260,000 was registere; in the combined daily average of ~eI demand and time deposits of rne)1lpC' banks in this district during January as compared withlilS1 ' cember. The gain over January last year amounted to eJ 061,000. Net demand deposits during the month averag Deposits 01 Member Banles 011' MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW DAILY AVERAGE DEPOSITS OF MEMBER BANKS (T n thousnnds of dollars) Combined Total n""ervc City Bnnks Country Bonks Nct demand Time Net dcmand Time Net demond Time deposita deposits dOJlO!lits deposits depOIIits deposits Jnn., Fcb., Mnr., i\pril, Mny, Juno, July, Aug .• Sept., Oct., Nov .• Dec., Jon., 1083 . . .... $410,655 1033 ...... 415,200 1033...... 413,776 1088 . ..... 394,700 1033.... .. 304,336 1033...... 305,983 1033... . .. 306,783 1083...... 380,177 1033.. .... 400,507 1033 ...... 436,027 1033..... . 466.108 1038 ..... . 404,176 1034...... 505,900 $194,407 192,412 188,547 186,161 186,506 186,405 191,055 100,031 187,508 186,036 187,047 180,687 102,214 $201,437 100.397 202,276 193,481 101,847 192,306 196.040 101,302 105.145 210,087 228,265 240.071 240,001 $110.215 118,750 115,7:17 113.723 m,lOl $215,218 215,803 211,500 201,350 202.480 m,oos 200,743 107.876 205,452 225,040 237.933 253,205 250,818 1I ~.300 112,665 110,140 100.264 100,9 14 100,1 82 108,317 20~.587 -- $75,192 73,656 72,810 72.438 73,405 73,015 77,147 78.260 77,362 77.672 81,033 80,555 83,807 5 $505,909,000, as against $416,655,000 a year ago, and average time deposits amounted to $192,214,000 as compared with $194.,407,000 in January, 1933. Both classifications of deposits during the past month were substantially larger than in December. Savings Deposits Reports received from 129 banks in this district operating savings departments showed a total of $133,503,999 in savings deposits at the close of January, as compared with $133,131,518 on December 31, and $137,861,417 on January 31, 1933. The gain during the month amounted to 0.3 per cent, and the decline from a year ago was 3.2 per cent. Despite thc reduction as compared with the same date last year, increases occurred at a majority of the reporting cities. SAVINGS DEPOSITS Jonuory 31, 1933 ,Tonunry 31, IOR4 Number of reporting banks ~enumont ..... . ........... Ei"~:~::::::::::::::::::: F'Jrt Werth . ..... . .. . •. .. .• *alvc., ton ............. . ... P ouston . .... ....... .• .. . .. sert Arthur ............... on Antonio .... .....• . .... ~hreveport ................ ~oco ...... . ....... . ... ... I\] ichitn Foils ......... .. ... I others .•............... 3 O· 2 4 4 U· 2 7 3 13 ~l· Numbcr of Amount of Number of depositors dCJlO!lita dcpositors stwinga 8,101 73,101 10,102 32,427 16,524 65,208 4,822 20,266 21,284 10,412 0,054 50,044 -318,845 -- savings $ 2,009,843 28,356,477 4,188,375 0,887,742 0,003, 106 27,240,136 1,930,878 14,100,770 10,110,812 5,717,518 2,708,557 21,100,695 sn\,ing8 8,120 74,705 10,615 33,602 16,723 65,904 4,217 20,010 22,218 10,270 5,741 51,332 -323,556 -- December 31, 1033 Amoun~ of snvinJIB deJlO!llta Percentoge ehange $ 3,039,331 25,610,724 3,428,620 11,422,421 0,737,698 30,401,326 1,841,266 14,206,075 0,523,080 5,551,057 2,200,357 20,707,803 - 1.3 - 8.8 +22 .0 -13.4 + 2 .6 -10.4 +6.4 .7 + 6.2 3 .0 18 .3 + 2. 2 over year in sovings deposita t Total....... . .. . . . 129 Sl33,503,009 $137,861,417 ·Only 8 banks in DallM, 10 in Houston, and 70 in "All othors" reportod the number of savings depositors. - - 3.2 FEBRUARY DISCOUN'!' RATES DaUns llnto charged oustomer. onJrime eommercial paper such os that now eligible for redisnount undcr the Feral Resorve Act ................................... R;:to chnrged on loans to othor bnnks seourcd by bills reocivable ................ . .. te on loans secured by prime stook exohange or etbcr cllrront aollateral (not inoluding lonns placed ID other markets through eorrespondent hanks): Dcmand .................. . ............... ............... ........... n 'rima ........ . ........... . .......................................... nato chorged on commodity paper secured by warebouse roceipts, etc .... . ...... . .. . ate on cnttle loans ............... . ........ ..... . ..... . ................ . ..... Number of savings depositors Amount of dcpo/Ilts Percentago ahange over month in savings deposita 8,102 72,749 0,872 31,598 16,480 64,382 4,698 10,840 21,220 10,402 5,579 50,030 $ 3,019,886 23,019,640 4,120,784 10,130,024 0,932,045 27,375,134 1,020,570 14,030,139 0,035,137 5,831,655 2,541.607 20,673,088 +1.5 - 2 .4 + .6 .5 + 1.0 + 1.2 + 1.8 - 2.0 6.6 2.4 314,967 $133,131,518 + lavin~s --1.1.7 - t .3 Prevailing rates: EI Paso Fort Worth Houston San Antonio Waco 5-6 6-8 5-6 3-8 6 5-7 6-6 5-7 6 5~ 5-8 5-8 2%-7 6-8 8-8 6-8 8 6-8 5-10 5-10 6-8 6-10 6-7 5-7 5-7 7-10 6-8 6-8 6-8 7-10 6-8 6-8 5-6 8 2~7 3-6 INDUSTRY ~ottonseed Although receipts of seed at Texas cottonseed oil mills reflected an unusually large seasonal decline during January, c~UShings and the production of all products turned upward, ~(ter a three months decline, and evidenced appreciable 1llcreases over those activities in both the previous month ~Ild the corresponding month last year. Despite the January :hcreases, total operations during the present season, with fe exception of the output of linters, remained below those o the preceding season. roducts !I).The production of oil and seed receipts at cottonseed oil i Ills throughout the United States evidenced declines durthl; January as compared with both the previous month and ill e like month a year ago, but all other operations reflected uCl'eases over the two comparative months. Excepting linters, 1:at ions at these mills during the current season evidenced o~thnes similar to those of Texas mills. Stocks of cottonseed 1 on hand January 31 were larger at both Texas and United le States mills than on either the last day of the previous month or on the same date a year ago, while stocks of all other products showed reductions as compared with both dates. STATISTICS ON COTTONSEED AND COTTONSEED PRODUCTS Tcxos United States August 1 to January 31 August 1 to January 31 This senson Last scnaon This scnaon Lost scnaon Cottonseed received at mills (tons) ..................... 1,214,112 1,202,248 3,696,438 3,920,061 Cottonseed erushed (tons) ...• • 905,330 1,010,776 2,800,584 3,019,055 Cottenseed en hand Jan. 31 (tons) ..................... 348,085 456,740 1,020,702 1,200,280 Crudo oil produced (pounds) ... 283,853,007 302,556,215 859,4 10,575 031,986.439 Cake nnd menl ~roduced (toos) 447,956 407.767 1.300,876 1,362.244 Bulls produced tons) ......... 207,049 295,296 778,823 853,500 Linters produced (running bnles) . .......... ....... . . . 156,9S8 120,252 528,092 477,212 Stocks on hand Jon 31: Crude oil (pounde) ...•.•.••• . 46,710,347 33,722,523 147,323,382 100,510,038 Cake nnd mcal (tons) ...• . . ' " 70,037 87,388 280,538 344,003 Bulls (tons) ................ . 47,710 73,012 105,555 175.618 Linters (running hahlS) .• . .. . . . 42,592 88,979 160,045 290,181 MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW 6 Following a large decline in December, the domestic consumption of cotton at all United States textile mills turned sharply upward in January, and reflected a larger than seasonal increase of 45.8 per cent over the previous month. Consumption was also 8.1 per cent above that in January, 1933. There were 508,034 bales of cotton consumed during the past month, as compared with 348,393 bales in December, and 470,182 bales in the first month of 1933. During the current cotton season, August 1 through January 31, there were 2,923,724 bales of cotton manufactured into cloth, which represents an increase of 4 per cent over that in the corre· sponding period of the preceding season. Stocks of raw cotton held by manufacturing establishments on January 31 were in smaller volume than a month earlier, but remained larger than on the same date a year earlier. Textile Milling Operations at Texas cotton textile mills during January also evidenced substantial increases over both the previous month and the same month last year. Increases were shown in the consumption of cotton and production of cloth, as well as in the demand for finished products as reflected by orders on hand at the end of the month. Stocks of finished products held on January 31 were less than those on hand December 31, but larger than the holdings on the same date of 1933. COTTON CONSUMED AND ON HAND (B.les) Cotton-growlng states: Cotton consumed ..... ... ... On band Janu.ry 31 inConsuming establishments. Public storage and compresses ................ United States: Cotton consumed ........•.. On hand January 31 inConsuming establishment•. Public .torago and compresses ................ January 1934 January 1933 406,343 390,908 608,034 470,182 August 1 to January 31 Tbis season Last 8eason 2,339,420 ary, 1933. Exports during the first half of the 1933·34 cotton year totaled 4,919,450 bales, as compared with 5,039,71 4 bales in the same period of the previous season. COTTON MOVEMENTS THROUGH TIm PORT OF GALVESTON (Bales) Reooipte ................... . Exports ..... .. .. . .......... . Stocks, January 31. .. ...... . . January 1084 190,450 270,047 January 19S3 193,731 223,133 August I to This SCB80n 1,748,012 1,361,654 821,855 January 81 Last .eason 1,054,407 1,257,130 850,537 COTTON-GALVESTON STOCK STATEMENT (Bales) For Grent Britain ................................... . For Franco .. ............ ......... ................. .. For other foroign ports ............................... . For coastwi.e ports .............•.....•...........•.. . In compresses and depots .. .................. . ....... . . Jan. 81, 1034 11,000 6,500 42,000 3,000 758,855 Total ................................. .. 821,355 Jan.3l, 1033 12,000 5,000 33,500 500 808,537 - 850,537 COTTON MOVEMENTS THROUGH THE PORT OF HOUSTON (Bales) Receipts .................... . Exporto ....... ............ . . Stocks, January 31. ......... . Janu.ry 1984 128,620 274,614 January 1033 307,203 237,876 Augu.t I to 'l'his .eason 1,082,075 1,707,651 1,418,088 January 31 Last .cas on 2,273,24 3 1,495,5 S0 1,840,1 74 2,350,830 1,254,754 1,203,047 9,117,603 0,523,638 2,923,724 2,812,187 1,602,044 1,400,120 0,500,015 10,020,533 Although the exports of cotton from the port of Galveston during the initial month of 1934 reflected another decline as compared with the preceding month, the recession was considerably smaller than seasonal, and shipments evidenced a material increase over those in the first month of 1933. Exports from Houston in January were in excess of those in both the previous month and the corresponding month last year. Shipments during the current season continued in larger volume at both ports than those in the period from August 1 to January 31 of last season. Receipts of cotton during January at these two concentration points evidenced further seasonal declines and were also smaller than in January, 1933. Stocks of cotton at both Houston and Galveston were in smaller volume than those a month earlier or a year ago. Cotton Movements Despite the favorable showing in exports of cotton from Texas ports, aggregate shipments from all United States ports evidenced a large seasonal decline during January, and continued below those in the corresponding month of the previous year. There were only 739,352 bales of cotton shipped to foreign countries during the month, as compared with 820,099 bales in December, and 793,666 bales in Janu· SEASON'S RECEIPTS, EXPORTS, AND STOOKS OF COTTON AT ALL UNITED STATES PORT8-(B.les) ----------------------------~------------~--Augu.t 1 to J.nuary 31 Receipts ............................................ . Exports: United Kingdon ............................ . Franco ..•....................•............. Italy .................... . ....... ... . ...... . Germ.ny ................................. .. Other Europe . ....• • ........•...........•... J.p.n ..................................... . All other countries .......................... . Total foreignports ....... ... . .. ..... . ... ..... .. .... .. Stocks at all United St.tes ports, J.nuary 31 ..... ...•... This .eason Last .... on 6,169,874 6,729,814 851,557 874,08 4 583,820 580,785 462,896 426 364 , 1100,801 013,627 '677,667 621,850 1112,128 1,185.550 '337,424 Sa9,717 4,019,450 5,039,714 3,787,115 4,764,189 SPOT COTTON PRICE8-(Middling Bnsis) (Conts pcr pound) ------------------------~--------------------Feb.15, J.nunry, 1084 NewYork ............................. .. New Orlenns .... . ....................... . D.Uas ................................. . Hou.ton ................................ . Galveston .............................. . High II.75 11.42 II.05 II.40 11 .40 Low 10.4. 10.29 10.00 10.ao 10.35 1934 12.45 12.20 11.8. 12.16 12 .20 h' dis' The production of crude oil in ~ IS apll' trict totaled 29,6440,950 barrels 10 J ber ary, reflecting a decline of 75,600 barrels from Decem itb but an expansion of 4,94.0,250 barrels as compar~ d \V"tb e January last year. Drilling was more active dunng of month, as evidenced by the completion of 836 neW weIl 4,' which 636 were producers, with an initial output of ted, 008 barrels. In the previous month 776 wells were comp eels; of which 583 were successful, yielding 2,593,894 barr Petroleum ;6 2i -------------------~~~~~~~~~===-------------------- MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW ?nd in January a year ago there were 623 completions, which Included 452 producing wells with an initial flush production alllounting to 2,235,531 barrels. JANUARY DRILLING RESULTS ( While the daily average output of fields in Texas declined rom 890,724 barrels in December to 887,060 barrels in January, the reduction occurred chiefly in East Texas and appreciable gains were reported for the Central West, South, nnd Gulf Coastal regions of the State. As compared with ~alluary, 1933, there was an increase of 151,105 barrels. In ew Mexico the daily average yield during January was reduced moderately from the previous month but was sizably arger than a year ago; daily production in North Louisiana \Vas substantially larger than in December but remained at a lower level than in the same month last year. North TexM ............... Contral Weat '1'OXM ....•. . .. East TexM ............ . ... South Texas ...... ......... '1'oxos COMtal .. ............ Total 1'oxns ..••... New Mexico.. .. ........... North Louisiano .... .. .. .... Jan., 1034, tot.ls, Distriot ..• Deo., 1038, tot.ls, Distriot .. Produeer. Ona well. 141 75 350 119 98 85 46 342 71 70 3 2 2 6 3 53 27 15 42 25 10,411 74,755 2,578,370 17,760 66,575 10 4 1 5 5,530 776 583 20 173 2,503,804 -614- ---2,753,880 702 16 102 12 4,508 18 4 84 ----2,764,008 179 21 830 636 Tox.. COMt.1 (3410' .nd above) ....................... North TelM and orth Louisiana (40 gr.•nd obove) ..... Inorense or deorease over December. 1033 Total Doily Avg. ~ortb Tel.B ............... ,. 3,054,400 Eontral Weat TOlna........... 4.504,700 ~~tb\OXM. . . ............... 13,510,600 T relas .. ........ .. . .. . . 1,374,000 ous COMlal................ 4,064,250 08,529 148,216 435,826 44,352 160.137 - 18,150 +116,000 -202,800 + 51,850 + 28,600 - 586 +3,771 -0,445 +1,673 + 923 N Total TeIM. . . .. .. .. 27,408,850 NOW Mexioo.. ............ ... 1,202,000 orlb Louisi.no....... . ... .. . 853,200 887,060 41,706 27,523 -U3,600 - 10,750 + 48,750 -8,664 - 347 +1,573 Tot.1 Distriot........ 29,644,050 056,280 - 75,600 -2,438 Initi.1 produotlon Fallurea CRUDE OIL PRICES OIL PRODUCTTON-(Borrels) January. 1034 Doily Avg, Totol ComploUon. Feb. 9, Feb. 10, 1034 $1.12 1.63 1088 $ .62 .52 (Oil alatlstics compiled by "The Oil Weekly," Rouslon, TOlna) Building The valuation of construction permits issued during January at principal cities in the Eleventh District, while 4.6 per cent less than in December, exceeded that of the same month a year ago by 5_6 per cent. The total for the fourteen reporting cities amounted to $760,294 as against $797,213 in the preceding month, and $719,736 in January, 1933. The number of building permits reported was larger than in either comparative month. BUILDING PERMITS January, 1034 No. ~~!il:o~t'::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::: n~traus Christi. ........................................... . Il.iii:iiiiit: 22 60 67 10 377 35 70 05 127 26 100 00 15 7 I Valuation $ 62,854 30,788 10,550 62,924 172,773 23,136 57,420 20,872 160,425 0,814 60,447 39,819 26,147 13,325 January, 1933 Valu.tion No. $ 15,511 50,624 0,278 3,800 170,006 10,269 85,400 20,130 258,547 4,005 48,841 15,114 25,366 1,945 13 85 56 17 277 28 06 74 162 25 120 77 25 23 -----1--------1----1,078 $710,736 Peroontago obango valuation over year +305 .2 - a9.2 + 13 . 7 * + 1.6 +126.3 - 32.8 + 8.7 - 38.0 :):100 . 1 42.2 +163.4 :): 3.1 585.1 + 6.6 Deoember, 1938 No. Valuation 17 36 67 13 238 24 ( $ U21 27,a56 00,661 7,710 109,039 48,498 70,184 74,086 281,722 9,648 a2,776 25,551 13,067 1,500 83fi 5797,213 66 86 117 41 80 66 11 Pereentage obango valuation over montb + 12.6 - 88.4 +716 . 1 + 58.6 - 52.3 - 18.2 - 71.8 - 4a.1 + 1.8 flU 55.8 87.2 788 .3 4.6 *IncrclUlc ov~r ono thoua.nd per cont. Cement Although activity during January at Portland cement ~ills in Tex~s sho~ed a t ~el'lal expansion over the precedmg month, It contmued 1~5 e on a smaller scale than a year ago. Production totaled c. ,000 barrels, as compared with 151,000 barrels in Deo~lllber, and 255,000 barrels in January, 1933. The volume 00 shipments amounted to 264,000 barrels, as against 222,th 0 barrels in the previous month, and 285,000 barrels in (t e same month last year. Total stocks on hand were reduced om 557,000 barrels at the close of December to 484,000 ll) . • barrels on January 31, and on the latter date were one-fourth smaller than a year ago. PRODUCTION, SHIPMENTS, AND STOCKS OF PORTLAND CEMENT (In thous.nds of b.rrels) J.nuary 1934 Produotlon at Texaa mills ............... .. Shipments from '1'oxns mills ...........•. .. Stooks at end of montll at TOIIIS mills ..... . 195 264 484 Peroentage ebange from J.nuary December 1088 -23.6 - 7.4 -25.1 1933 +20.1 +18 .0 -13.1 SUMMARY OF NATIONAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS (Com,piled by the Federal Reserve Board. February 24. 1984) th VOlume of industrial production increased by more than b ~ USual seasonal amount in January and the early part of e rUaty. The general level of wholesale commodity prices, after showing relatively little change during the last five months of 1933, advanced considerably after the turn of the year. 08------------------~~~~~==~====------------------ MONTHLY BUSINESS REVIEW ------------------~~==~~~---------------PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT Output of factories and mines, as measured by the Federal Reserve Board's seasonally adjusted index of industrial production, advanced from 75 per cent of the 1923·1925 avera~e in December to 78 per cent in January. This compares WIth a recent low level of 72 per cent in November and a level of 65 per cent in January, 1933. The January advance reflected chiefly increases of more than the usual seasonal amount in the textile, meat packing, automobile, and anthracite coal industries. Activity at cotton mills, which had reached an unusually high level in the summer of 1933 and had declined sharply in the latter part of the year, showed a substantial increase in January. Output of automobiles also increased by more than the usual seasonal amount while activity in the steel industry showed little change fol: lowing a non-seasonal increase in December. In the first half of February there was a further growth in output at automobile factories, and activity at steel mills showed a substantial increase. Factory payrolls, which usually decline considerably at this season, showed little change between the middle of December and the middle of January while factory employment declined by about the usual seasonal amount. There were substantial increases in employment and payrolls in the automobile, hardware, shoe, and women's clothing industries, while decreases, partly of a seasonal character, were reported for the hosiery, tobacco, furniture, and lumber industries. Value of construction contracts, as reported by the F. W. Dodge Corporation, showed a decline in J~nu~ry and t~e first half of February, following substantIal Increases In the latter part of 1933. As in other recent months, public works made up a large part of the total. DISTRIBUTION Freight traffic increased in January by more than the usual seasonal amount, reflecting larger shipments of coal and merchandise. Sales by department stores showed the usual seasonal decline after the holiday trade. DOLLAR EXCHANGE The foreign exchange value of the dollar in relation to gold currencies, which in January had fluctuated around 63 per cent of par, declined after January 31 to slightly above its new parity of 59.06 per cent. PRICES Wholesale commodity prices showed a general increase between the third week of December and the third week of February and the weekly index of the Bureau of Labor Statistics advanced from 70.4. per cent of the 1926 average to 73.7 per cent. There were substantial increases in livestock prices; wool continued to advance; and cotton reached a level higher than at any other time since 1930. Scrap steel advanced to about the level prevailing in the summer of 1933. BANK CREDIT As a consequence of the reduction on January 31 of the weight of the gold dollar, together with subsequent impor~s of gold from abroad, the dollar amount of the country 8 stock of monetary gold increased from $4,035,000,000 on January 17 to $7,089,000,000 on February 14, about $3,000, 000,000 of this increase being reflected in a growth of. the cash held by the Treasury, which includes gold bulhon. Notwithstanding a further reduction in discounts for member banks in acceptance holdings of the reserve banks, mernb~r banks' reserve balances increased moderately during thIS period, reflecting gold imports, a return of currency from circulation, and a reduction in United States Government deposits with the reserve banks. In the middle of Februar1 these balances were more than $900000 , ,000 above legas reserve requirements. At reporting member banks there wa a growth between January 17 and February l4. of more than $600,000,000 in holdings of United States Government securities and of more than $500,000,000 in United States Government deposits, reflecting Treasury financing. LoanJ on securities and all other loans increased slightly an bankers' balances showed a substantial growth. Short-teer money rates in the open market remained at low levels. February 2, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York redu~e its discount rate from 2 per cent to 1% per cent, and dUrIdg the succeeding two weeks reductions of Y2 per cent were rna. e at the Federal Reserve Banks of Cleveland Boston, St. LOUIS, Dallas, Richmond, Kansas City, Atlanta, ~nd San FrancisCO. d