The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-18
They Point to the General
Conditions Over the
Country
GROSS EARNINGS GREATER.
PRESENT SITUATION ALSO lNDl-
Gates THAT MORE LABORING
MEN ARE BEING EMPLOYED
STOCKS INCREASE.

New York, Oct. 17.-Estimates of
railroad men just obtained, indicate
that the trunk lines of the country are
earning in the present month an
amount that equals if 1t does not sur
pass the earning of the corresponding
period Of 1907. In the first three weeks
of September the gross earnings of
thirty-five roads showed a steady gain
and the reported increase in traffic in
the states where farming products are
and in the states where manufactured
articles supply roads with work, make
it almost certain that the traffic in
October already is far in excess of the
September tonnage.
The pouring of increased revenues
into the treasures of the railroads is
of great Importance to both the la
boring men, the retail traders and to
manufacturers. Reports received from
various parts of the country are that
the increased traffic has compelled the
roads to hire more men, while the pay
ment of more wages in turn has stim-
ulated retail trade and has forced the
merchants to = send additional orders
to wholesale houses and factories. The
increased tonnage means still more,
because the railroads are the baromet-
ers of the business condition and the
farmers prosperity. When the rail-
roads are busy, that is a sign that the
working people have been turning out
commodities for transportation, and
that they are enjoying good wages. In
creasing traffic means the employment
of more men.
The additional gross earnings of the
roads again show how quickly the
country has recovered from the panic
of last fall. Confidence has been re-
stored to business men. The assertion
was made by several men that the
readiness with which business condi-
lions responded after the panic was at
tributed to the republican admins
tration.
While the moving of crops forms the
greater part OF railroad traffic. the
shipment Of dry goods from wholesale
houses and factories in this city to the
Other products that mean increased
railroad tonnage is iron and steel.
They report many orders.
Another significant indication of i'm
proved business conditions is found In
the reports of bank clearances. For
the month of September the total was
81 per cent greater than last year.
The payment for crops, for stocks. in
retail stores and purchases by farmers
and wage earners increased the depos-
its and the Withdrawals from banks
by checks. The payment through
clearing houses in 1O1 cities in the
country amounting to more than elev
en- billion dollars. a gain of S.4 per
cent over August. The figures OF
bank clearings tell more than words
how confident merchants are through
out the country that under tariff
and careful federal administration
week.
With the disappearance of remind
ers of the financial stringency the rap
i'd rise in the prices of stocks is an
other forecast of the confidence o.
business men in the election of Taf
and of the reign of prosperity that i.
sure to follow. Men who deal il
stocks make it point to live four o.
five months ahead of the industrial
conditions and their optimism in pay
ing gradually higher stocks ever sine,
Taft was nominated for the presiden
cy shows their faith in him and thei
confidence that industries and rail
roads will have greater earning pow
er next year than last year.