Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-19

neigh bOrhOOd of S1,5OO, OOO,OOU per
year. Plainly our steel industry is in
| splendid condition and not likely to
be injured by any probable tariff legis-
/ lation, especially as the president
promptly vetoed the Stanley reduction
| bill. The steel shares in consequence
have lately shown justifable strength.
/ The copper shares were another
strong group, the better feeling in this
section of the market being due to the
knowledge that refiners were securing
better prices for their output. Quite
number of other prominent industries.
showed an advancing tendency be-
cause of satisfactory business condi-
tons and increasing profits.
| In the railroad section of the mar
ket conditions We're somewhat conflict
ing. Some roads are known TO be ex-
ceptionally prosperous. Others are
far away from obtaining satisfactory
results, causing concern among far
sighted railroad managers. The
heavy concessions made TO labor last
yetr, followed by the serious demand
now awaiting adjustment, have placed
a financial strain upon a number Of
the larger railroad corporations. Ev-
orything that the railroad buys has ad-
Vanced, but the companies have not
been permitted 70 make compromising
advances in rates, and have been per-
sistently harassed by government in
reference. They have no chance of
Tecouping themselves except through
increased traffic. Were this TO fail
them their plight would be quite SER
lous. Among the unavoidable demands
pressing upon the railroads is the i'm
per2tlye necessity for better freight
and passenger facilities in the large
cities. This means tremendous ont
lay of new capital for construction
purposes frequently OF an unproduc-
i've nature. During the next year or
two our railroads will be Obliged 10
raise large amounts of new capital,
which, in view of the higher rates for
money VIII prove a still further han
Qlcap to weak roads. So long, how
ever, as business continues large in
volume they may be able TO struggle
through, and it is not impossible that
ultimately the interstate commission
VIII allow the companies TO somewhat
. recoup themselves for these increased
OUTLAWS. The strong roads, however.
S have about discounted all hostile in
1 fiuence.
General trade prospects are encour-
[ aging for the reasons stated above.
Larger offerings of commercial paper
20 TESTIFY that merchants are well pre-.
: p1ieu Ior increased activity. The
opinlon as TO the effect of politics on
business is divided. The majority be
heFe, and with reason, that politics
nave done their worst and have been
= amply discounted. Western business
= men are certainly paying little atten
r non 10 politics. In the east, however
b. the situation is somewhat different
Big financial interests do not like the
; attitude OF labor and the government
Il towards the railroads Two months
Il OF hot tariff discussion are closeIt
o ahead of us. Many of our great indus
{ tries would be seriously disturbed by
/ any radical revision of the tariff
4 winch VIII be the main issue durinf
= the campaign this fall Such a dis
IT IurDance would be reflected in fnan
y claI quarters. While the west is con
IT troiied chiefly by local influences. til,
e east Is unavoidably controlled by ma
! tional and international interest
e hence its sluggishness in respondin.
+ 70 western optimism. After all, il i,
u possible that too much attention is be
.e ing PAID to political considerations
q congress will shortly adjourn. The,
u me opportunity for legislative disturb
;e ance viii be over, and after the M
RI 'emoer election the necessities fo
% polltlcal fireworks will be less urgent
II considering this fact, and that rsdj
ii cahsm' though not dead. is decIinin,
" IN all parts Of the country, there i
T. reason for taking more hopeful view
10 REGARDING national political affairs.
le 4hls market has a strong undertone
O. = considerable rise has already takel
e pace, which may induce Temporal,
" reactions; but in the absence of an
d INJURY TO the crops or other develor
~ hehts OF an unfavorable nature. W
IN anticipate more active and a wide
re market. The vacations will soon b
er over and then We may safely loo
IS TOT increasing activity.
ty II your liver is sluggish and out {
"a tone. and yoI, d,,n