The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-12-20
CONFIDENCE Is
DOMINANT NOTE
BUSINESS CIRCLES CLOSE YEAR
IN IMPROVED CONDITION
Securities Market Is Firm nj ClosC
of 1OO0--Railroad shares
Not Active.
MONEY COMMANDS A FAIR RATE

New York. Dec 20. Especially
As the year draws to close there is
an improved undertone in financial
circles. Uneasiness is gradually dis
appearing, and a more hopeful feel
ing prevails. Congress has been in
Session for nearly two weeks. and
thus for there are no indications of
seriously hostile legislation against
either corporations or railroads.
President Taft is shortly to issue two
messages, one dealing with the rail-
roads and another with large cor
porations. Nothing is yet known
concerning the presidents purposes
on these subjects, but his well known
views, which have been repeatedly
expressed in the past, afford assur-
ance that no radical proposals will
be offered. 1t is not likely that the
railroads will object to any reason
able regulation, nor are the corpor-
ations likely to any longer resist a
rational application of the anti-mo-
nopoly law. A good deal OF discus
sion must be anticipated. and more
or less radical talk may be expected.
but no disturbing legislation seems
probable at this date. The rational
action of the courts. moreover, in
recent antitrust matters is assuring,
and in all probability new legislation
will in due time be shaped to more
closely conform with the action Of
the courts.
The business outlook is somewhat
unsettled by prospects OF labor agi-
tation. There are signs of unrest.
not only among railroad employees.
but in the steel and several other in
dustries. In many cases the present
high cost of living is the basis for
Increased demands, but a determine
ton to secure as large returns as
possible is probably an equal mo-
tive for these demands. The general
trend of values of commodities Is up
wards, and the necessary process OF
adjustment to the higher cost of do
ing business and living is psrplexing
and uncomfortable. Food and cloth
ing are now very high. with little
prospect Of declining until the next
harvest brings relief. as it probably
will. The present high prices for
cotton. grain and other products
should induce very large crops dur
ing 1919, assuming that no disasters
interfere. The acreage Of winter
wheat already shows a large increase
and every acre caple of growing cot
ton will be brought into requisition
next spring. OF corn also the acre
age in 1910 Is sure to be heavy; and
the meat supply must soon Increase.
Farmers both west and south are now
enjoying prosperity TO a degree
which they never anticipated. and the
effect of this Is already being felt IN
an excellent demand for all classes
OF merchandise. The Christmas trade
thus far surpasses all records, and
the year is ending in a satisfactory
degree OF industrial and mercantile
activity created by our agricultural
prosperity. The outlook for 1910 is,
therefore, distinctly encouraging.
A firm undertone prevails in the
securities markets. Railroad shares
have not been very active, except in
the case Of few of the cheaper
specialties, or in properties affected
by dividend increases. The bond
market showed slightly more activity
and investors desiring to anticipate
any January rise have manifested a.
somewhat greater interest in better
grade securities. With conditions