The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-04-25
BUSINESS CONDITIONS.

Improvement in business and generally higher
prices in the stock market have been reported al
most without exception since the first of January.
following the slump and heavy declines in prices Of
securities last fall. Trading, which had reached
low ebb has developed a fair degree of activity,
though no definite reason for the improvement and
increased activity has been assigned, except that
speculative sentiment is treasured By the improved
general business of the country On the other hand.
the activity and higher prices in the stock market
are looked upon as the primary cause for the i'm
provement in wholesale and retail trade
Favorable crop prospects and easy money
market have contributed to the general feeling that
prosperity is being, restored Railroad freight traf
fc though far below normal in amount has shown
marked Improvement and fewer freight are
idle As a result, sixty of the most active railroad
stocks have increased an average of 81 a share over
prices a little over month ago. Whether the tone
of the stock market is affected by manipulation
otherwise. the fact remains that prices higher.
and this is taken as an indication of broadening
prosperity.
Money accumulates in the banks of the large
financial centers. and short time loans have been
quoted low per cent. or less. The United
receives the deficit for the first three weeks of April
reaching nearly $5000O00. The worlds supply of
gold was increased $4,000 ounces in March by the
South African mines alone the production for that
month being the greatest in the history of the Rand
with one exception.
Although Salt Lake has not seriously felt the de
preston which swept over the country, local mer-
chants report only slight decrease in their bus
mess, and in some cases slight increase over the
business of last year is reported. 1t is cheering to
know that business throughout the country is hold
ing up well, The bank clearings report shows a
decrease averaging about 10 per cent for all the
principal cities of the country only about twenty
cities showing increase over the report of last
year. The decrease is not considered especially
favorable, it merely indicating the more conserva-
tive attitude of the business interests Collections
are better, the easier condition of the money market
making it possible to secure accommodation from
the banks.
Prospects for enormous cotton crop seem
favorable provided favorable weather is enjoyed
throughout the cotton belt. The movement of the
DC crop is unsatisfactory; spinners not consum
ng much in former years, and exports show
decrease of 100000 bales as compared with the
,utgo last year. According to the official statement
ssued this week, the financial loss in value of cor
on exports for the month of March was SIS, 100000
The condition of winter wheat on April l. ac-
,ordng to government reports, is so favorable that
bumper crop equal to that of 1906 is anticipated.
The crop has suffered little or no damage so far.
ither from unfavorabe weather conditions or from
insect pests Uniform encouraging reports have
ended to decline in wheat prices but speculative
fluctuations of more than a
ent with no specific reason.
Manufacturing shows increasing activity in
ONE lines and some sections. with corresponding
inactivity III Others with the net change very sljght
The numbering industry shows seasonable activity
While the Touring mills in the northwest are cur
ailing their output. Iron and steel show no ma
er;al changes. Small gains in the output of wool
ms are reported, accompanied by losses in the out
ut of cotton manufactures. little better demand
Or raw wool and the prospect of the organization
f close corporation of wool growers in. Utah and
Their sheep states to hold the crop for higher prices