The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-03-23
'rEnay cLEws AND BUSINESS.

, NEW YORK. March Il, I-i1s-ia ~
. time to stop and ponder as to
whether reactionary tendencies IN
the stock market are not about ex-
hausting themselves We enjoyed
pronounced recovery in January
based upon President Wilson's favor,
able statement In regard to leg1sia-
, ton and upon the usual investment
demand for the season That al
iyance has been almost entirely lost
lduring the past six weeks, and it can
Isafefy be said that the decline more
than discounts any changes which
Ihave happened for the worse 1t is
ADMITTED that there has been a gen
eraI slowing down of business which
lis part of worldwide movement.
The trade reaction in this country.
however, has not been very severe
In most cases it has been spotty, both
las TO industries and localities The
somewhat unsatisfactory situation
| has, however, been seriously agra
waited by political tendencies at Wash
iington and the popularity OF corpora
ltion-baiting throughout the country.
Much of the latter must pc attribut-
sional election Is in prospect next
fall. 1t Is doubtful, however, il the
voting classes are as hostile In this
respect as those catering for their
support assume Last week It was
shown in these advices that there are
over 100000 bank depositors with
81. 0O0. 0o0. 600 Of deposits In the Unit
ed States who are vitality. though
often unconsciously, interested in
securities. This class has not yet
been awakened to the injury threat
ening them It is also generally over
looked that there are $1,000 600 of
life insurance policies in existence
in the United States, and that the as
sets OF these benevolent institutions
amount to over $4,000 900 900. Alto
gether it is safe to say that the fnan
cial interests of the bulk of the voters
in this country are being seriously
imperilled by the present unreason- |
able hostility towards corporations. |
PROFESSIONALLY few of the latter |
deserved the punishment already re-
ceived, but punishment cannot go on |
forever. Many mistakes cannot be |
undcne; and it is sheer folly to apply 1
the same treatment to the unoffend-
ing as to the criminal. Unless all !
signs fail, radicalism has seen its /
zenith, and before long we hope to
see signs of returning sanity in 70. /
litical circles. President Wilson IL
believed to be more or less conserva-
lively inclined. but he is evidently /
having difficulty in restraining the !,
radical element We do not doubt |,
Mr.. Wilson is absolutely sincere in
his promise to build up business.
Perhaps the best thing that can be
done is for the constructive ele /,
ments in the country to aid him in
the laudable purpose OF moderation. j
The monetary outlook is encourag
ing, and aside from expected flurries
about April first. which may not
come, the. outlook is for continued
ease. Last weeks bank statement
showed a good increase In reserves
and contraction in loans, the first
since the opening of the year. For
eisn markets are also showing signs
Of returning monetary ease resulting
from general slowing down Of trade.
Some distrust was caused by the crisis
in the French government arising
from the assassination of NJ. Calmstte,
but while temporary disturbance is
possible, IL not probable, It should be
that the French as 1
nation are distinctly conservative, in .
spite of their political excita bility, for .
the reason that the masses are ex-
eeedingly thrifty and do not favor
any public movement that will injure
heir financial interests. The Ulster (
difficulties appear serious, but thus
'ar financial london has not got very !
excited over the controversy.
The latest returns of exports show
some interesting results. In bread
stuffs there was shrinkage in Feb
ruary of about s10,00o.O0U and in meat
and dairy products a loss OF over
s.. 100000. On the other hand there
was a gain Of over 5000 900 in cot
ton, more than offsetting both OF these
osses. In the eight months ending
February, our exports of breadstuKs
have fallen s2S,000,00O. Meat and
larry products increased $4,000
and cotton gained s51 .0oo,0 900. Vital
changes are taking place IN our for
,ign trade, because on the one hand
,ur exports of foodstufs are steadily
declining, being needed at home;
while On the other hand the reduc-
ion OF the tariff Is operating to slim
late imports, although It's effect in
hat direction has not thus far proved
Is important as expected. AS to the