The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-12-16
BUSINESS CONDITIONS GOOD.
President Finley, of the Southern,
Talks of Conditions in the South
and of the Future.

and of the Future.
Columbia. Dec. 12.-President Fin
ley, of the Southern Railway company
who has been in the South for the past
two weeks, in speaking Of the business
outlook in this section, said:
internal business conditions in the
Southeastern States are excellent
Fundamentally, this due to the gener-
ally prosperous year that our farmers
have had. All things into consldera-
ton I doubt whether Southern far
mers as a. whole have ever had a bet
ter year than that now drawing to a
close. Cotton, the most important crop
of the South, is moving at prices
which yield to the grower a generous
margin of profit. The Southern apple
crop is large and profitable. The
Southern corn crop has far surpassed
all previous yields and is having far
reaching effect on business conditions.
Heretofore the planter mas drawn on
the proceeds of his cotton crop to buy
corn for his stock. This year he will
huy much less corn, and, at the same
time. will have more homegrown
meat. He is, therefore, in mucn
stronger financial position and is able
to spend more money on buildings
and other improvements on his farm
to buy farm implements, and to make
larger purchases Of general mercnan-
disc.
"As a result of the good agricultural
situation the outlook for retail Dusl-
ness in the South is almost uniformly
excellent. Dealers in dry goods, cloth
ine, groceries, boots and shoes, hard
ware and stoves, and merchants gen
era1ly report a good volume Of busl-
ness with encouraging prospects.
Manufacturers of vehicles and az
ricultural implements, and other
manufacturers who sell principally to
tha Southern trade, anticipate gooo
spring business.
"The fertilizer business of the South
is one of large Importance, and 1t Is
predicted that this seasons movement
which will begin in January, will be
substantially larger than that OF last
year."
Speaking Of industries nranufactur-
ing for the general trade, Mr.. Finley
said:
FURNITURE manufacturers are no"
filing moderate orders and are look
ing forward to larger sales after tnelr
new STYLES have been displayed at the
January exposition in Cincinnati
Chicago, and Grand Rapids. The
Southern cotton mill situation is un-
even. The long-delayed readjustmen1
of the prices of mill products to the
higher price level of the raw material
has not yet fully taken place. Tnere
is. however, an active demand 1oI
some special lines of goods. Joobers
are reported to have relatively small
stocks. The situation is, therefore
nromising for an active business as
soon as sellers and buyers can get TO-
gether on prices. Leading cotton
manufacturers believe it is not un-
likely that such a situation may De
reached not later than the early
spring.
"The demand for iron and steel IS
not active. Lumber has also been raGn-
er inactive, but mills in many iocal-
ties are now reporting brisk demand
and largely increased sales.
1.-The financial situation IN the
South is strong. Money is easier, and
especially in localities where the TAR
mers have marketed a large proper
ton of their cotton, bank deposits are
increasing. Collections are generally
good except in some localities "neTe
cotton is being held
u.r,,r;o hath cha :" is certainly a