The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-11-27
TIE BUSINESS SITUATION RE
VIEWED.

It would be difficult to describe in
a single phrase the business condi-
tons throughout the world. Never
in history, perhaps, has there been
such confusion and so great irregu-
larity. Conditions are probably bet
ter in the United States than any
where else, and yet throughout the
United States there is an uneYenness
OF commercial movements that Is un-
precedented. Some lines are exceed
ingly dull and others are operating at
a record-breaking rate. In New
England the situation 10 considerably
mixed. but sentiment is much i'm
proved, and it is believed that a, de-
Cided betterment will be noted within
the next few months. This also ap-
plies to the eastern States generally.
Some branches OF trade in the east
ern section are experiencing great
activity, on account Of the extra
ordinary demands from Europe Con-
siderable depression has prevailed in
the South because of the unfavorable
cotton situation. There has been an
Improvement lately, due to increased
cotton exports, and the likelihood
that the crop will be successfully
financed, and hope is strong that the
future Will witness a genuine revival.
Better reports come from the Middle
West than from any other section.
Crops have been good and prices re
ceiYed for them high; hence the
farmers prosperous. Merchants and
manufacturers directly dependent on
the agricultural out turn have bene-
fitted accordingly. Business in the
mountain and Pacific coast States is
not up to its usual volume, but is
fairly good, particularly in the agri-
cultural districts. In certain lines
of trade. notably steel and copper,
depression Is marked. 1t follows that
allied industries are experiencing a
quiet period In the packing indus
try. the wool trade, and certain lines
OF shoe manufacturing business ID
very active
Exports, particularly of foodstuffs,
have been making tremendous head
way. The foreign exchange situa-
ton 10 almost normal, and this has
been of great value to international
trade. The increasing requirement OF
Europe for American products f.
mainly responsible for the unusual
activity in certain directions. This
demand il likely to increase and
broaden so that other industries will
participate in the greater activity. At
least there Is well-founded hope that
business throughout the United
States from now on will undergo ex-
pansion. The larger clearing house
figures indicate that this expansion
has begun already. There have been
altogether too many failures, and
these indicate the great financial Or
deal which has been experienced by
institutions of all kinds. II is con-
fidently believed that the worst is
over. When 1t IL realized that a
deficit i'm the New York city banking
reserve of S4S,OOO.O0O has been wiped
out, and substantial surplus has
taken Its place; that money II fast
accommodating i'm the banks Of the
\ United States, and that some UMPIRE
cedented financial problems have
been solved within the last three
months. one begins to form some
conception or the wonderful progress
that has been made toward read
justment of affairs. Business il not
yet out of the woods, but there is
every reason to believe that decid-
eddy better state on affairs already IL
prevalent-From Christian Science
Monitor.