Manufacturing activity in the New York area slipped only slightly in August, the New York Federal Reserve Bank said Monday. The bank's Empire State Manufacturing index fell to 23.0 in August from 23.9 in July. Readings over zero indicate expansion. The drop was not as bad as feared. Economists forecast the Empire State index would fall to 18.9 in August. New orders rose sharply to 33.8 in August from 19.2 in July. This is the highest level of new orders this year. The employment index rose to 10.2 in August from 1.4 in July. The prices paid index rose to 29.0 in August from 21.6 in July.