Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-24
PROSPERITY is
SHOWN in IOWA
REPORTS FROM VARIOUS PARTS
OF STATE INDICATE
PROGRESS.
NO DEPRESSION in STATE
Manufacturing Industries Profit With
the Farmers in Increased Bust
ness Activity-Reports From
Iowa Cities.

ness Activity-Reports From
Iowa Cities.
Des Moines, September 21.-That
Iowas prosperity is not a mere matter
of conjecture but is concrete fact and
is unprecedented may be seen from re-
ports which come in from the princi-
pal cities in all parts of the state.
While the good prices for farm pro-
ducts will place the farmers in a more
prosperous condition than they have
been for years. the manufacturing in
dustries have also profited by the re-
newed business activity. If there has
been business depression during the
past year its vigor was not felt in
Iowa.
Contrasted with this, the distressing
conditions which existed during the
panic Of 1898 and the four years sue
ceeding, afford an Impressive political
argument for the coming campaign.
The prices of farm products have
scarcely wavered during the past year,
and are now soaring above the high
water mark of many years. Fifteen
years ago, men were idle from January
to December and those who were
working received starvation wages.
Common laborers were receiving but g
dollar day, and miners received
about one-half the wages they do now.
But those who Were employed were
considered the lucky ones. This condi-
ton lasted four years.
During the past year, there has been
no reduction of wages. A few men
were out of work in the spring, but
now there is employment for all at
wages never equalled in the history Of
the country.
If anyone doubts the present pros
perity of Iowa let him read the reports
from the following cities of the state:
Oskaloosa and Mahaska county felt
little effect of the depression except
That 5000 miners We're out of employ
ment for longer term than usual dur
ing the spring and summer. All are at
work now, and there is a pressing de-
mand for more men. Factories are
operating full time, employing more
men than ever before. Seventy-fiv
new houses are being built, and five
new business blocks. Public improve
ments costing several hundred thou
sand dollars, including paving and
sewers, electric railway and telephone
and public buildings, give employment
to az classes of labor. Oskaloosa has
S4,OOO,000 in her banks.
No one is thinking of hard time at
Eagle Grove. Everybody who wants
work is working at unprecedented
wages. The community has enioyed
one of the best business years during
the decade. Miles Of gas and water
mains have been laid many new pub
nc ana private buildings have been
erected. Merchants are finding each
months business exceeding the record
OF any previous year.
Iowa City was not visited with any
cessation of business activity Few, if
any men were laid off from work and
not one factory closed down. A total
Oh ls5 new houses We're completed
within the past yea, at an estimated
cost of 100000 About S25O,OOo has
been spent on new churches and hospi-
tails and the state is about to spend
S60O,O0O for additions to the university.
A total of million and quarter dol
lars is being spent on improvements.
Ottumwa suffered nothing from the
depression. No factories were closed,
there was no reduction of forces nor
airy cutting down of wages. In it's big
packing house 1000 men cnioyed
steady employment and every other
factory and the big railroad shops were
running full time There has been a
dearth of laborng MEN, a fact which
assisted in maintaining the rate Of
wages. Street paving was laid, cost
ing $4,000, and an immense trunk
system of sewers YVES completed.
Every man, for whom room can be
found to work.. is being employed in
the big implement. furniture and en-
CINE factories of Charles City. Many
men from out of the city have come
here for work and have been employ
| q Charles 1yra
was panic. The banks did business
uninterrupted and have now on de-
post $2,200,000. Neighboring towns
report the same prosperous conditions
Nashua has good trade and business
is brisk. The same is true of Usage
and New Hampton and Green in But
Ter county is in better shape than it
has been for years.
There was no SUSPENSION Of business
in Clinton. More miles of cement side
walk were laid SO far this year than
during any three year period previous
ly The Northwestern road is just
completing $2,Oo900O bridge across
the Mississippi and has plans for a
new depot freight house freight term-
nails and additional shops. A complete
new sewer system has been laid, near
ly every factor has enlarged it's plant,
employing additional men and no one
Is out or work. There are fewer
houses to rent and more money in cir
culation than at any time since the ia
nous saw mill days. Five new churches
are being erected.
The button industry of Muscatine
was somewhat effected by the depres-
sion but has once more struck an alb
normally prosperous stride. Fourteen
OF these factories are running to full
capacity in every department. Every
other factory in Muscatine is running to
the full extent Of it's capacity. One Of
the big banks of the city has increased
it, capital stock three-fold and will
build handsome new office building
new court house and new federal
building are beine built, making nearly
million dollars being expended for
improvements. No one is idle.
Carroll, and it's neighboring' towns
report no indication of hard times
Laborers and mechanics are employed
at good wages and farmers are busy
figuring up their unprecedented pro-
fits The merchants are preparing for
an enormous fall trade