Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-01
THIS YEARS PROSPECTS.

THIS YEARS PROSPECTS.
Dun's Review looks on the beginning
of the year with optimism and says
"the year closes with something APP
preaching buoyancy in some of the
leading departments Of trade It points
out that it is the season when whole
sale trade shrinks-the time of the
yearly resting spell-and these markets
are as usual quiet, but active prepara-
tions are in progress for the new year.
OF significance, as to the betterment IN
iron and steel, the usual cessation Of
mil: activity has not occurred in the
holiday season, and additional capacity
is being provided for. Animation char
stcerizes the southern pig iron market,
contracts for the first half Of the new
year being freely placed and offers Of
ltaer business at current quotations are
not entertained Manufacturers in all
sections Of the country are generally
we'll employed and the high level of
wages is NAMED; this is particularly
true as to manufacturers of woolens in
New England.
Conditions at the south tend to check
trade temporarily. but when existing
obstacles are removed there should be
an unusual squirt Of activity. The note
worthy feature Is the exceptional
movement in exports. which feature is
the exceptional movement in exports,
which for the Itaest week at New York
cent higher than a year ago and double
the exports of the corresponding week
in 1909. The increase is largely OF man
ufactures and emphasizes the remark
able record Of the year. Imports fo-
the faest week at New 7 ork were $751;
$50 900, practically the same as a year
ago. The local money market is excep-
tiollally easy for the year end and year
ly settlements abroad are being con-
cluded without apparent difficulty.
Bank clearings this week maintain the
month, at cities outside OF New York
exceeding a year ago by as per cert
and at New York 5.s per cent Rail-
road gross earnings for the three weeks
OF December show a gain Of 3.3 per
cent.
The opening Of 1911 was an excellent
prospect but we had arrived where the
process of readjustment was to begin
When the railroads proposed to ad-
vance freight rates and the Interstate
commerce commission blocked the way
the railways made vociferous complaint
and followed complaint with inactivity.
It checked expansion of business. But
the railroads have since come to diff
ferent conclusion. They are buying aup-
plies and steel and there is none OF the
loud talk about cutting wages and idle
cars. They have pared expenses and
sought higher efficiency and have in
creased earnings. The country had the
stuff to ship, the money to consum-
mate exchange and the railroads got
the business. Net earnings compare
LOQdy 1dSOEdUly "llAA I1lOSS "a last } cat
and the refusal Of the commission con-
demned a few months ago Is considered
now the best thing that could have
been done. Other big businesses have
suffered disturbance. The general dis
turbance was to be expected But with
all that when at the close Of the year
the business Of the entire country Is
balanced it is found that 1911 was a
good average year in the business
world.
The prediction Is that 1912 will be a
decessor. Steel rail and railroad equip
merit mills have orders ahead that will
keep them busy for six months. Other
orders are ready to be given. Little OF
the important business which was
postponed last year has been aban-
doned. 1t is likely to come forward this
season There was little building last
year but the man who postponed build
ing q house or a block has his project
In mind and that adjustment between
him and the causes which led to the
postponesnent u near at hand. Senti'
ment 10 better. There is no promise O.
q boom but there is every reason fol
good and profitable business and {
prosperous new year.
BUll.NECk.kIN6 OF THE SMOKER.
Set the scene in any smoking cal