The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-04-27
WEATHER HAS HELPED TRADE
Favorable Conditions Causes brisker
Movement In Business

LII ltS weekly review tIlC
West Coast Trade says:
There has been a further accentua-
ton to the general activity prevailing
in business during the week from the
fact that weather conditions have been
decidedly favorable. In the interior the
conditions have been ideal for farming
operations, and seeding is now prac-
tically completed. with the brightest
possible prospects for cereal crops.
Famers are also commencing to release
grain that has been carried over. and
money is becoming decidedly more
plentiful, with the result that retail
trade is being stimulated, and cOllee-
tons have improved materially. On
the west side likewise there are re-
ports Of easier conditions in the matter
of collections. and merchants are dis
counting their bills more regularly,
while manufacturers receive returns
from eastern shipments Of lumber and
shingles, after = long period of mac
tivity.
The Industrial outlook is propitious.
While. in certain sections, there is re-
ported slight recession in the price
lof lumber. the market is in a good
healthy nosition, with excellent de-
ma11S. and a good outlook. Labor
troubles are not now of a serious
ich9rac'er. May is usually the period
when wage adjustments are made, and
when complications gre likely to de-
velop, but at present there are no wide
spread indica tons of complications
which will affect general activity and
prosperity. Flour manufacturers are
running their plans steadily and have
Accumulated supplies for operations a
considerable period in advance. with
business booked for the next two
months that insure keeping the big ex-
port plants in operation.
/ Bank clearings are still making a
favorable showing of increase over
last year. and do not bear out predic-
tons of a quieting down in general
business activities. Indeed. outside of
purely speculative channels, there is
not the slightest indication Of halt
ing. Wholesale and retail trade is
strongly maintained. That unfailing
barometer, the iron and steel industry,
is in a favorable position, with manu-
vance of the capacity Of their works.
while jObbers are advised of a scarcity
of stocks in many STABLE lines which
assures a stable position of the mar
kets for a long time to come. Despite
the fact that railway systems have
adopted a position of conservatism so
far as new construction projects are
concerned. the amount Of new track
age involved in projects already as
sured. and upon which work is pro-
crossing is ample to assure an active
season. with record breaking activities
throughout North Pacific territory
There is still a strong movement of
Immigration into Washington. Oregon
and Idaho. and the acquisition of new
population and capital will be feat
ure Of Importance during the present
season and have a strong influence in
development and demands from the
wholesale and retail trade. More new
towns are being started than for many
years. and more new territory added
TO productive areas. This movement
is not confined to any particular local
ity though more pronounced along the
routes of railways at present under
construction. Probably one of the
most important developments locally
will be the opening UP Of the vast area
lying between Puget Sound and the At
lantic ocean. Great purchases Of tim
Der and other lands are being made
in this district and. with two rail-
way lines competing for business in the
Olympic peninsula, there will be heavy
accessions Of population there. which
will be directly tributary to local sup
ply plants.