The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-04
Bankers All FOresee
 Fine Fall Business
Good Crops Local Development and General Are Causes Given For Buoyant Feeling As to Gen.
 eral Conditions This Fall

Business conditions throughout the coun- try have improved materially within the past few weeks and in Birmingham the prospects for an active fall trade were perhaps never brighter than they are now.
 The banks are always good barometers, and this being true, the splendid showing made in the official statements of the va rious banking institutions, made public yesterday morning, is naturally cheering to the entire business community. Offi- cials of the respective banks belonging to the Birmingham Clearing House associa- ton, when asked for an expression of their views regarding Brmingham's fall outlook, all spoke enthusiastically
 w. P. G. Harding. president of the First National bank, said:
 q believe that one of the first notes of optimism that was sounded this season appeared in the general review of crop prospects and financial conditions in Ala bama that was issued by this bank on August 20. The information that has come to us since that date has simply confirmed and strengthened us in the views expressed at that time.
 Alabama has undoubtedly made the largest corn crop In her history, and there is every reason to believe that the cotton crop Is fully up to the average, and that the prices prevailing should enable the farmers to pay entirely out of debt this season and have some surplus money; and the large crop of corn insures that money staying in the state next spring.
 ''The coal business In this district has for several months past been satisfactory, it's volume being especially large, and the output for 1910 will exceed that of any other year in the history of the state.
 "The pig iron market, while still low, shows signs of improvement, and experts in the iron trade confidently expect re- turn of normal conditions in that indus try within the next few weeks.
 Reports from all over the country in- dicate absolute confidence in the situation. and generally good conditions. Some peo- pie are disposed to be somewhat disturbed over political agitation, and are especially concerned as to the activities of the re- turned lion hunter, but 1t hardly seems possible that one individual in private life would be permitted-even were he so dis posed-to disturb the prosperity of a na- tion.
 So far as the people of Alabama are concerned 1t appears to me that they should attend carefully to their own busi- ness, pay their debts, collect what is ow- ing them, and be careful as to how they invest any idle money that they may have. In times of renewed prosperity there are always many alluring proposi- tions, more or less speculative In their nature, brought to the attention of the people, and the sooner they learn to make solid investments, either in land which they are able to pay for, or in first-class stocks and bonds, the better off we will all be.
 'The local bank statements, published Saturday in response to the comptroller's call, are the best that have ever been made at this season of the year, and show without exception healthy gains over the same period last year. The First Nation ars statement shows an increase of about 25 per cent"
 Birmingham Trust and Savings Co.
 Col T. O. Smith, vice president of the Birmingham Trust and Savings company: Business is In healthy condition and there is an excellent outlook for fall trade. The south has been making steady progress within recent years and one of the best signs of that progress Is the tide of population that has turned in this direction. Here in Alabama a large in- Aux is in evidence. Farm values have enhanced in a large degre. Lands that !, $50 and upwards.
 Birmingham Is prospering right along and we have good reason to expect brisk business this fall.''
 American Trust and Savings Bank
 w. W. Crawford, president of the American Trust and Savings bank: 'There has been great improvement in the business world within the past month and this, in spite of Colonel Roosevelts big stick campaign. The immense crops make everything look bright, and the local situation could not well be better. We are going to have a fine fall trade"
 Steiner Bros.
 Leo K. Steiner of Steiner Brothers: Business is on the upgrade. The feeling in financial centers Is better than it was even two weeks ago. The tone Is all right and I expect to see active trade from now on.
 'As for Birmingham, there are many conditions concurring to promote It's in- dustrial and mercantile interests. The development work of the United States Steel corporation on a scale of great magnitude means much more for this city than people fully realize. The won derful strides of the Alabama farmers are having direct effect upon Birming- ham, the leading city of the state. These and many other factors contribute to solid prosperity in the Birmingham dis trict. Birmingham is going ahead faster now than ever before, and this fall will witness very brisk business"