Money supply growth was second, followed by an expansion of the average work week and slower deliveries by industrial suppliers.

In exchange for slower delivery of some mail, he added, "we've got to have better consistency."

Inventories declined for the second month in a row, a result of slower deliveries and shortages of some materials.

Seventeen percent of the purchasers indicated slower deliveries, compared with 19 percent in September.

A sharply higher proportion of members - 58 percent, up from 50 percent - reported slower deliveries from suppliers.

The others were a rising proportion of companies experiencing slower deliveries from suppliers, higher stock prices and higher consumer expectations.

Thirty-two percent of the purchasing managers reported slower deliveries, while only 5 percent said they were faster.

But the figures were an improvement over March, when 23 percent reported slower deliveries.

Purchasers continued to report slower deliveries by vendors.

His effective use of slower deliveries proved to be unplayable by the English batsmen.