After a nationwide check of 200 industrial plants, the National Association of Purchasing Agents found that new orders were coming in faster than at any time since "the slide" began last October. More than half the plants surveyed were either increasing production or holding steady at present rates. In some areas an upturn was apparent: orders had picked up enough to boost production this week in the Youngstown (Ohio) steel district from 72% of capacity to 80%.
There were signs, too, that U.S. consumers were spending again. The Federal Reserve Board reported that April had witnessed the end of the unraveling...
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