The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-16
GENERAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS. Great Improvement in That Barom-
 eter of Trade, the Iron Business.
Banker Henry Clews.,

Banker Henry Clews.)
 In various directions there are in
 dications of slow but certain i'm
 provement. There are still some com
 plaintS of SlackneSS in trade and in
 many instances profits are upon
 smaller scale than for several years.
 At the same time the volume of gen. era1 trade is fairly unsatisfact There has been no, shrinkage of con- sequence, as proved by well-sustained railroad earnings and bank clearings, and after the season of quiet in cidental to the close of the year there is fair assurance of at least moderate recuperation.
 By. far the most significant elem ent in the industrial situation is the strik- ing improvement in the iron trade. The turn was made about the middle of October. Since then orders have steadily expanded, and this week the big producers of finished steel have been so besieged that in not a few lines capacity is fully engaged for four to six months ahead. Prices are already firmer. In some instances they are being advanced, and the probability is that the close of the the country's steel capacity fully em- ployed. This is an exceedingly satis- factory state of affairs. The iron trade is still regarded as one of our m OSl TeildDl6 tIaOG DdTOm6CGrS, anu It is quite certain that railroad man agers with their exceptional oppor- tunitieS for observation would not be placing such large orders for equip ment unless satisfied that turn for
 the better had come. Their action in the matter should be accepted as proof of confidence in the future. Tn banking circles there is also a more hopeful feeling. A slight inn provements in investment conditions is observable, and this tendency will probably become more marked as the time for the s200, 100000, January dis bursements approaches near.
 The country is 'wading deep in 8 period of reconstruction of its busi- ness machinery, which inevitably means temporary uncertainty as to what the national legislature may do. conditions becomes more complete there will be less complaint on this hscore. The world refuses to stan,l still, Our own population is rapidly increasing. Food, clothing and shell l,ter arc being required in increasing quantities. Our transportation facili- ties are overtaxed, and there is earn lest demand for. increased production | and activity on all sides. This de-
 mand cannot be indefinitely ignored. New enterprise may be deferred un- | til uncertainty is at least partially re- l. creasing scale must go on as the country, grows. In some cases con- sumption has been checked by high fpriceS and the consequent reduced purchasing power or many consum- CTS. but this hindrance is already | finding relief in some directions by lower prices. notably in the iron and cotton goods industries f | This country has been taking an
 enforced rest cure for nearly two years Since the panic of 1907 con- ditions have never been entirely sat- 1 isfactory. Liquidation, however. has | been long and severe. There is less l imitation and more soundness than at any time in the last four years. At ! least moderate recovery seems justified Business is already feeling | somewhat invigorated and seems pre- pairing to try for fresh start in 1912 l This is shown by the stronger under | tone and the development of a more hopefI1l Snirit