The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-07-07

outcome.
ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS.
All signs indicate that this country
is on the high road to a return of the
conditions that prevailed during the
last few years until the interruption
caused last fall. Trade journals unite
in saying that the revival of business
has already commenced, and prepare
lions are being made in the whole
sale centers for the reception Of orders
of immense proportions. A sure index
of returning confidence is the purchase
of Injuries, which during times of
stress nec~essarially declines, or alto
.gether ceases. The automobile fac
tories are working overtime to fill the
orders, which are pouring in, and it
is stated that the public is buying
more high-priced cars than last year.
Railway travel, another index Of pie
thoric pocket books, is increasing, and
the statement is made in the dis
patches that during the last two weeks
there has been a decrease of $4,000
IN the number Of idle freight cars on
the railroad systems Of the United
States.
The distribution of dividends on
stocks and bonds in the United States
on the first of this month is given by
The Chicago Record-Herald at the
enormous sum Of $195, 900, 1000, which
will be used in large part for imme-
diate re-investment. That paper gives
the following summary Of the securi-
ties on which this vast amount of
dividends will be paid:
Railroad stocks. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 2
Industrial stocks. 27,976,975
Public service corporations
such as street cars...... 10,815 ,09S
Banks and trust companies. 100000
In bonds the interest figures are ap-
proximately thus: q
Railroads y. u. ........ 500 ,698 ATS
Industrials .............. 1913, 9O4
Street railways ........... l., 389, 1853
Municipal bonds. ...... 1O,579,530
Government bonds .. 4 ,00O, 900
Whatever may be the manner Of the
investment of this great sum of money
it cannot but help to boost the coming
boom.
The railroads Of the country are
also preparing to expend vast sums
in betterments and in additions to
their plants. 1t is officially announced
that the Hartman lines will resume
all the betterment work that has been
suspended, and it is said that Mr..
Hartman has plans for the expendi-
ture of $4,000, 900, if prosperity comes
as rapidly and as extensively as is
expected. The New York Central
will expend 800, 900, 900 on the ire
mendous improvements which have
been planned. It is prophesied that
the example of Mr.. Hartman will be
AO1AOWOu NY JULIET Md6udlSS, duu IudL
all idle men will find opportunities
for labor.
Crop Indications were never better,
and good prices are predicted by those
who are presumed to know. With
good crops and good prices 1t is easy
and safe to predict good times for
everybody.
In this immediate section the pros
poets are most encouraging. Every
indication points to banner agricul-
tural returns, and the labors Of the
husbandman by every sign will be
richly rewarded. Merchants report
activity in business and prompt col
lections. Various enterprises for the
advancement of the city are being
planned, and there is no reason to
doubt that Billings will this year re.
tain the position 1t has long held as
one of the most progressive of the
cities Of the Northwest.