Survey of Current Business May 1924

ports were about the same as in Februar} 7 but less than
a year ago. Prices of hogs and hams increased over
February but lard prices declined slightly.
The movement and slaughter of sheep declined from
February and was also less than a year ago, except
total shipments. Cold-storage holdings of mutton
declined and were only one-fourth as large as a year
ago. Prices of sheep advanced over February.
Seasonal declines took place in receipts and storage
holdings Of poultry, both being less than in March,
1923. Receipts of butter, cheese, and eggs were less
than a year ago but cold-storage holdings for these
products were larger than in March, 1923. Exports
of condensed milk declined, both from February,
1924, and March, 1923. Prices of butter and cheese
declined from both periods.
SUGAR AND COFFEE
Imports and meltings of raw sugar were less in
March than a year ago and stocks of raw sugar at
refineries also fell off from March, 1923, although
making a seasonal increase over February. Exports
of refined sugar were also less than a j r ear ago, but
larger than in February. Sugar prices at wholesale
declined from the February average, but retail prices
increased.
The receipts of raw cane sugar at Cuban ports and
exports from Cuba were both slightly less than a
year ago, while stocks were slightly higher than in
March, 1923.
Imports of coffee increased over February but were
less than a year ago. and the visible supply, both for
the United States and the world, was much smaller
than a year ago. Receipts in Brazil were larger than
last March but clearances were slightly smaller.
Imports of tea were larger than in February and
also larger than a year ago.
TOBACCO
Consumption of cigars and cigarettes increased over
February but manufactured tobacco shows a decline.
Compared with a year ago, only cigarettes made an
increase in consumption. Exports of unmanufactured
tobacco were considerably larger than either the previous
month or a year ago, while cigarette exports declined
from both periods. Sales at loose-leaf warehouses
were slightly larger than a year ago. The price
of leaf tobacco was unchanged from February. Total
stocks of leaf tobacco on March 31 were slightly
higher than a j T ear ago while cigar types .showed a
decline.
WATER TRANSPORTATION
Entrances and clearances of vessels in foreign trade
were slightly smaller than a year ago, in spite of an
increase in the movement of American vessels.
Freight rates to Europe continued to decline in March.
Traffic through the Sault Ste. Marie and New York
19
State canals was still interrupted by winter weather,
but traffic on the Ohio Kiver from Pittsburgh to
Wheeling was considerably larger than in Frbnmry or
in March, 1923.
RAILROADS AND PASSENGER TRAVEL
Car loadings averaged slightly less ]u*v week in
March than a year ago. A decrease in coal loadings
was offset by increases in forest products and merchandise,
and slight declines also occurred in ore sun]
livestock loadings. The surplus of idle cars continued
to increase and shortage declined to a negligible
quantity. The number of ears and locomotives in
bad order increased slightly but was considerably less
than a year ago.
SHORTAGE, SURPLUS, BAD-ORDER, AND TOTAL LOADINGS OF
FREIGHT CARS
t 'i I 'IS H
1933
i i s i
Visitors to national parks in March increased