The San Francisco call., 1909-09-05
PROSPERITY REIGNS
THROUGHOUT LAND.
Opinions of 5000 Bankers and
Businessmen OF Country
Indicate Good Times
Optimistic Tone Characterlzes
Statements of Experts Re-
garding Conditions

General business conditions In the
United states may be viewed with an
optimistic eye and q wave OF pros
perity in almost every line OF financial.
commercial and Industrial conditions
seems to be sweeping over the country.
according 20 the opinions OF some 5000
bankers and businessmen Of the differ
ent states.
These expert testimonials are conf
piled in a booklet issued by the Com
mereial national bank Of Chicago, un-
der the title Of Crop Reports and Cen
eral Business Conditions" and sent out
with the PREDATORY remarks that 1t ts
believed that IT will make pleasant
reading. The expression Is made ooldlV
that the country is passing rapidly out
of the depression resulting from ths
panic of 1907 and entering period OF
prosperity which leaders in finance and
industry believe will be one or tne
hest it has ever experienced. IL Is IaF
ther gathered from summary OF
the ideas advanced that business con-
ditions are approaching normal. and it
is predicted that the coming year VIII
yield abundant employment for LABOR
and the largest volume OF trade ever
known.
This movement toward prosperity has
developed rapidly during the last thres
months and has gained in strength IN
practically every line until all fear or
a relapse seems groundless.
Just at the time that the recovery
from the panic Seemed assured comes
also what is termed the best all round
crop ever produced in this country 10
add TO the general good
One OF the most practical and wide
reaching benefits OF this is TO be FOUND
in the promise that food Is 10 De
cheaper The price of all farm products.
which have reached in the last Few
months the highest general level ever
known has been the source or much
discomfort. but the food crops OF 1909
are so generous. ii Is said. that TINS viii
be changed Wheat has declined -
cents a bushel and the lowered price
of corn. according TO present prospects
will make meat cheaper. Large crops
of hay and grains will mean more fe"d
for livestock and thus make less 70"
prices of dairy products and oihsT
table foods Nor Will this cAeapenirS
of farm products tend 10 saG1el the
farmers lite as hA vii! maize up IN
quantity what he would Otherwise lose
in depreciation Of values.
Railroads are not YET. Ii is declared.
1905-7 unsil their troubles became
threatening, but good degree of a.
tivity exists in railroad circles and ~
the rate the traffic OF the country
is developing they must constantly in
prove their facilities for handling 1t.
As regard financial conditions il has
been an improbable period FOR bankers
In the central cities. where large bal
ances accumulate upon which interest
IS paid Rates in New York still reflect
confidence that money will be easy
throughout the year. but this Is not
the belief in all parts OF the country.
There seems 10 be a fear that easy
money and low interest rates can not
continue indefinitely and there Is
mixed relief and discomfort in the
knowledge that the country's security
in emergency lies in it's ability to draw
on the reserves Of other countries.
The Investment market has been
active throughout the year and the
sale OF bonds surpasses al previous
records.
Detailed reports in almost every
branch of industry show the same con-
idence in the situation and a hope
which has almost reached certainly that
every branch of business will make
good" during the coming months.