Evening journal., 1909-03-16
Tuesday, March I6, 1909
HOPEFUL BUSINESS SIGNS

IT He New York Sun on Sunday printed
n number Of interesting articles from differ
cnt cities of the country telling of the business
outlook. The consensus of opinion is decidedly
optimistic. The articles tell of the rapid revival
OF business in some cities, the gradual recovery
in others and the general belief that business
VIII soon resume its normal activity.
These opinions are similar to those expressed
ly Mr.. Schwab at the recent dinner of the Board
OF Trade in this city. Mr.. Schwab's figures as
10 the growth of the steel industry during the
last twenty years and his prediction OF a vastly
increased production of steel within the next de-
cade were remarkable and truly optimistic They
showed what is in store for Wilmington when
the Harlan and Hollingsworth Corporation be-
gins TO make steel cars.
This optimistic view held by Mr. Schwab is
echoed in the reports printed in The Sun. For
example St. Louis finds things good The sit
uaton in all branches of business is reported to
he improving. Beginning some months ago
when the St Louis manufacturers decided to re-
vive prosperity, there has been a steady increase
in the output of the manufacturing establish
ments. For half q year or more the ST. Louis
factories ran as low as 20 to Is per cent OF their
capacity and they arc now running from 40 to 90
per cent. These figures show that while the sit
uation is far from normal there is a gratifying
Improvement.
In ST. Paul, Minnesota, the center of the great
Northwestern country the bankers report condi-
tions much better. The whole Northwest feels
cheerful over the financial outlook One bank
president says, "Our merchants and obbers feel
that the prospects for good trade were never
better than they for the year Iooo.' An
either merchant says, Conditions indicate that
we are going TO have a prosperous year. And
SO the story goes from a score of the leading men
in the Northwest
Boston fnanciers and business men tell the
same tale. A large demand for woolens is ex-
pected. Some New England factories which
shut
running at their full capacity. The Boston men
are hoping that the tariff will soon be set
tied
Baltimore is very cheerful The mayor of that
city is quoted saying that the metropolis of
Mary land was not much affected by the panic
and even during the depression there were large
increases in some branches OF business.
The New York wholesalers are particularly
hopeful. according to The Suns review Indica-
tons of better times are found i'm all lines and
every effect OF the bushes depression appears
10 have been wiped completely off the map.
hese reports are very encouraging and point
out that Delaware business men and manufac-
turers should be prepared for the full revival
OF industry They should be planning to in
crease their trade-to secure new avenues of
trade. Our own merchants should endeavor to
command the trade of the State and surround
ing country as we'll as OF the city Whining
tons trade with the other parts of Delaware has
increased considerably during the last few years.
Addresses such as that Of Governor Penncwill,
al our Board OF Trade dinner, will do much to
assist IN getting this trade. The Peninsula
Board OF Trade idea will help things along
With the revival OF industry throughout the
country Wilmington should leap forward and
reap its full share Of the advantages. 1t is time
for progress, time for action, time for forward
movement in Wilmington Don't let all the
good things heard at the Board Of Trade dinner
go in one ear and out the other.