The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-31
oads is that the cost of materials

roads is that the cost of materials they use is higher, the average wage is higher and freight rates lower, than formerly. All of this is true but it remains for the Commission to decide whether the railroads are entitled to additional gross revenue per ton mile or whether the same result can be ac- complished by further curtailments and economies by the railroads them selves. If these economies are to di- rectIy affect safety and service, the public will oppose them instead of opposing the increased rates which the railroads claim they need and must have in order to increase the efficiency of the service and pay the interest and dividends on their out standing securities. In the last andy sis, the public at large pays all the freight and the same public owns the railroads. securities. A careful com parison of Interstate rates with Intra- state rates would indicate to the lay man that Intra-state rates are ap- preciably higher in proportion to the service rendered than are the rates charged on Interstate shipments. A general re-adiustment of freight rates would benefit the entire country could it be accomplished and would at the same time benefit the railroads and their owners. The railroads also iR- sist that they are entitled to 15 mill lion dollars more from the Govern ment for carrying the mails than they are being paid because of the tremen- dous addition to mail tonnage brought about by Parcel post.
 Steel consumption. continues heavy and nearly all orders are for immedi- ate shipment. Bookings are being re- quisitioned at rapid rate and ship ments are up to normal New book ings are small and prices are sagging although actual reductions are of no consequence yet
 The pig iron market is dull and prices are soft Some demand for eIectrolytic copper is appearing, the visible supply is small, and prices show a slight advancing tendency.
 The average price of a, selected list of high grade bonds is nearly points below a year ago, while our selected stock list shows an average quotation of 28 points below a year ago. Bond prices are a fraction above this date in 1907 and stock prices ran 20 points above quotations at that time.
 Receipts of butter and cheese at leading markets for the past few weeks. have been less than last year while egg receipts are heavier. Leath CT of all grades. is scarce and prices higher, although buying is only for immediate consumption. Hides are firm to shade higher.
 Although one underwear factory is closed and gives tariff reduction as the reason, most or CII0 IdcIOF1SS are full of orders and some are working overtime to make shipments on time. Both underwear and hosiery makers average two weeks behind their or ders. Shipments of wool to the mark ct as far below last year. The market is dull because the mills are waiting for lower prices.
 The Cotton Ginners' association re- ports T million bales ginned to Octo- Der 17th compared with $500 thou There is still a good probability of cotton crop of 13 1z million bales.
 Taking a birdseye view of the busi- it's steadiness in the fact of important the Currency bill still before the Sem ate. We can recall times when busi- ness would have been demoralized through the discussion of such import ant legislation. The present business activity is real. Mills are busy, rail- roads are busy, exports are heavy, money is easing and in spite of much public and press discussion Of a, pessi- mistic nature, the undertone of busi- ness continues strong and healthy.
 There is an area through Alabama, Mississippi western Kentucky, south ern Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Ne braska and western South Dakota where business is not what it should be. but in all the remainder of the country, business is as good or better than it was a, year ago or two years ago and it is decidedly better than three years ago.