The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-21
IT LOOKS BRIGHT.
Topeka Financiers Talk of the
Prospects.
Favorable Condition Is Reflect
ed at the Banks.

For the last three years money condi-
tions in Topeka have been good. The
present farming and general business
season is opening with a continuance of
a condition of abundant money to 1oaR
and steady demand for it at profitable
prices. The active condition of business
and indications of a good farming sea-
son during the present year give prom
Use Of a continued good banking bust
ness. During several years the number
of bank depostOrs has been increasing
so that now it is greater than it has
been at any time in the history of the
town. The condition here and the out
look are correspondent to the conditions
and prospects prevailing through the
entire state. Real estate prices are
gradually climbing up throughout Kan
sas and are substantial everywhere.
The opinions Of several bankers con-
corning the business outlook was asked
today and elected replies of a uniform
tenor. John r. Mulvane Of the Bank
of Topeka said:
The Topeka financial conditions are
of the best. The aggregate deposits of
the banks are at the highest volume, for
this time of year, that they have reach
ed for years. with the largest number Of
depositors in the history of the banks
of the city, indicating that the money IS
well spread. All the banks are we'll
supplied with funds, and all legitimate
business demands are well cared for,
J WnlIG the indications are LnaL the era OF
very low priced money is past by reason
of the growth of population and the in
/ creased cost Of merchandise and In
creased business. The community is to
be congra tulated on not being inveigled
/ into any boom speculations, which are
usually induced by a plethora Of cheap
money.
The state. as whole. was never in
/ a more healthy condition than at pres
ent. The banks are well supplied and
4 the last statement will show a C@kIsider-
able increase in deposits, with large re-
serves.
THE crop season, although it is quite
early to do more than prognosticate,
/ promises Well conditions being very
good, and with a good acreage the
empty bins promise fair price for a
/ large crop of wheat and corn. The
large shortage of hogs is partially
equalized by the high price Of fat hogs
and by plenty of fat cattle and low
( prices of beef"
Major William Sims Of the First Ma
/ tional bank. said.
As to the future no prediction is ever
safe. and time spent in making them is
wasted The bank statements of Janu-
airy show increased deposits and re-
serves over last July, and indicate en-
larging business There is plenty of
money, and it is practically all taken as
it is available, at good prices 1 pre-
sumo that if the amount of deposits
were taken at this particular time they
would show d falling off from those OF
+ December or January, but that IS be-
cause people are hiding their money
on account of tax time. There is a
general supposition that on February I
all the money is Withdrawn from the
banks and that it all gets back OH
March and ,, but that IS not so. Peo~
pie take their money out of the banks
and put it into government bonds or
something Of that sort, and it finds its
way back gradually Deposits always
fall off during the first three or four
months of the year
Generally speaking It might be saiG
that financial conditions are very
healthy and the indications are that
they will stay so through the season"
In reply to an inquiry President w. A.
L. Thompson of the Merchants National
bank. said.
There isn't much to be said ON the
subject of the financial outlook. Bust
ness is good and promises to continue
so. hut the situation is not noticeably
different from what it has been during
the past two or three years. Topeka is
enjoying business prosperity and there
isn't much new in the situation"
This is my busy day said President
p. I. Bonebrake of the Central National
bank, but I can say that financial con-
ditions are good. very good. They have
been improving steadily and are at their
best. II 1 had more time 1 could go
into details, but that much is safe and
true