The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-07
CONDITIONS IMPROVING.


Inc monthly total payments
through the banks of the country for
July has exceeded the billion dollar
mark which is an approach to the for
mer high figures. Commercial de-
faults of the past week have fallen
below those reported a year ago both
in numbers and liability. Such is the
finding OF the leading trades and fin
ancial reviews.
1t also appears that production In
leading Industries is steadily on the
rise and preparations are increasing
for more machinery and for the en-
ploymen. of more labor. The outlook
for manufactures Is thus improving
constantly.
On the agricultural side the crops
continue to present an encouraging
feature. Harvesting is earlier than
was looked for and the yield is COM
pairing favorably with that of former
years. The high prices are not only
satisfactory to farmers but they are
encouraging to other lines of invest
ment and trade. A fair yield Of all
cereals is assured with prices above
the average of recent years.
The new demands are especially
strong in iron, steel. and lumber Per-
mits for the month of July for bust
ness structures and improvements are
approaching in total value the high
mark of 1907, and in some localities
like Topeka are far and away ahead
of what they We're a year ago. This
has made an increased demand for
plumbing and sanitary supplies.
Unquestionably the building indus
try is taking advantage of the more
favorable conditions as to cost of ma
terial and labor and is regaining it's
former activity. Nothing better il
Illustrates the satisfactory conditions
generally than the projecting of i'm
provements of this character. 1t starts
a movement Of capital and labor that
gives thrift for the present and hope
for the future. Where building goes
forward it may be assumed that pref
ty much all else Is moving in har-
mony. And that's just what's hap
pening in Topeka though many local.
tiles in the country are not quite so
fortunate.
The industrial stocks are advancing,
less through speculation and more up
on the OASIS OF increased demand ana
activity in the business they repre-
sent. The whole list of railroad and
other legitimate securities is on the up
grade without the feverish and uncer-
tain feeling that has characterized
the booms of the past. The ground is
being gained steadily and there is ev-
cry reason to believe that it will be
held.
These are some of the substantial
evidences of commercial and trade ad-
vancement. They are of more inter-
est to the country than letters of ac-
ceptance or campaign speeches by ma
tional party candidates, or the results
of state primaries. They tell a story
of revival in which all people are. con-
cerned and in which all must profit. 1t
may be said truthfully that what was
lost in the October panic is being re-
gained and that the gain is being
made on a better understanding and
on a better footing than before. So il
the country gets back to or near the
figures of 1907 at their best 1t will get
back with more certainty to stand
against all possible panic. The evil is
being left out and the good improved
upon and made secure. In short the
country is apparently we'll entering
upon a new and securer prosperity.