The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-03-31
A BUSINESS REVIEW OF THE
PAST WEEK BY HENRY CLEWS

by no means a Radical, and there
are indications that he will be able to
exercise wise and soothing influence
upon Congress. What is also en-
couraglng is the reflection of warning
radicalism in the House itself. Now
that the Presidential election is over
and the next campaign is nearly four
years distant, there is less occasion
for spectacular political demonstra-
ton. For period at least the public
is entitled to rest from unreasoning
political agitation. Another very IA
vorable indication is the increasing
prospect for banking and currency re-
form. Mr.. Wilson is known to be TAX
ing a very serious and intelligent in
, terest in this subject, and is inclined
TO take the position that if satisfac-
tory bill can be passed during the
extra session of Congress he would
favor a movement in that direction.
Much depends upon the activity of
business men. The subject is one
which the average voter can no more
understand that he would a theorem
in geometry. He must inevitably de-
pend upon the experienced judgment
of others. The question will have to
be decided by those chiefly interested,
and the Legislature can probably be
trusted to pass a reasonably satsfac-
tory bill if the business sentiment of
the country insists. The Aldrich-Vree-
land bill expires on May so, 1914, con-
sequently it is doubly important that
a new bill should be enacted before
any new crisis develops, and it is ur-
gent that the business men of the
country should make known their
wishes through their Congressional
representatives. The demand for re-
form must come from the commercial
interests, because in the present con-
dition of popular prejudice the wishes
of the banking community are likely
to receive somewhat scant attention,
and if pushed might do more harm
than good.
Trade conditions at home indicate
a slowing down of recent activity,
partly because the pace has been very
rapid and partly because of natural
hesitation until the tariff is settled.
The recession, however, is generally
regarded as temporary; for shelves
are bare throughout the country and
consumption is still going at a rapid
rate. We are now approaching the
season when the crops become more
important factor. The winter wheat
outlook is exceptionally promising
and, though the acreage is somewhat
below year ago, the comparative
absence of winter killing affords pros
pect for considerably increased out
put. There has ben an abundant rain
fall throughout the country, which
creates favorable conditions for seed
ing operations.
Technically the stock market is in
sound condition. This was strikingly
proved by the first resistance of prices
to the losses caused by flood in the
west. The local money situation
should improve from now on, ample
preparations having been made for the
April settlements. Funds Withdrawn
for this purpose will soon return to
this market. After the first of the
month SITS, 100000 neld for dividend
purposes will be gradually distributed.
Gold exports have practically ceased.
The repairs necessary after the foods
will OF course call to temporary de-
mand for funds. Investments are now
selling at rates yielding exceptionally
satisfactory returns, fact which will
become more evident when interest
rates decline. For some time past it
has been more profitable to own
money than stocks. Before very long
the reverse will probably be true