| Show BUSINESS INDUSTRY AND FINANCE monthly summary by federal reserve board substantial increases of productive activity are reported by basic industries during october due principally to increased activity in anthracite th coal mining mineral output was 19 per cent larger than in september tein ber production of pig iron and consumption of cotton were the largest in to years the total number oi of railroad cars loaded was nearly at a maximum et car shortage on november 1st ast was the largest ever reported increased production in it october has been accompanied by a continued increase in the volume of employment average pay per worker was larger in many industries duo in most cases to au an increase in hours of work steel mills metal mines and building contractors still report a shortage 0 of skilled laborers wholesale trade showed comparatively little changes during october retail trade continued greater than a year ago and also baiger than iu in september total payments by check debits to individual accounts for cities not including new york were 11 per cent larger in october than in september and 13 per cent larger than in october 1921 the wholesale price index of the united states bureau of labor statistics was in october as coni compared with in september and in it october 1921 prices of farm products and clothing showed particularly large increases during october while fuel prices continued to decline the increased business activity has not been reflected in the movement of total loans of member banks in leading cities there were slight increases in the southern and western districts and also in new england but these increases were more than offset by reductions in other districts especially in new york and chicago rates on oil various classes of loans have remained firm or have shown a slight upward tendency demand and time deposits both decreased during the tour weeks though again western and southern districts recorded slight increases |
