The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-08
BUSINESS DEPENDS
ON CROP. CONDITIONS
GENERAL IMPROVEMENT is
SLOW BUT SURE AND MONEY
is EASIER.
GAIN IN BUILDING
FINE CONDITION OF SOIL FOR
WINTER WHEAT, RYE AND
OATS Is REPORTED.
GAIN IN BUILDIN G
In the general letter on trade con

In the general letter on trade con-
ditiens, the American National bank
presents an optimistic forecast OF
business for the month OF March.
The letter says.
II is well understood that senti-
ment and confidence have great
deal to do with the general cendi-
ton of business. The sentiment
grows more wholesome each week
and confidence has been steadily in
creasing. Business Is not normal. It
Is still below normal. There is how
ever. enough visible improvement 10
make IL safe TO say that business VIII
grow better as the weeks pass
The improved condition lis felt In
a greater or less degree in almost
every line OF trade. The railroad sit
uation has not improved. Net earn
3ngs declined for considerable period
and now gross earnings have been
declining. The freer movement OF
metals and general merchandise will
help the railroad situation in meas
Are. but genuine relief cannot come
begin to come in. Even good crops
may not wholly remedy the present
unsatisfactory conditions unless some
method is found by the railroad or
the interstate commerce commission
to enable the roads to get a
higher rate per ton per mile
on freight Fortunately for the
roads, the cost Of materials is
less than It was few months ago.
and they would now he IN position
to buy new equipment and supplies
literally were thew able 10 finance
such purchases. Financing by rail-
roads was accomplished during Jan
nary 10 the amount Of S74, 900 900.
compared with $3.50 600 for Jam
uary OF last wear. Industrial ffnanc-
Ing hesng smaller for the month than
last year by saes00a.e 900. probably
helped the market for these secarf-
ties. Railroad securities generally
will look better 10 the investor when
the railroads can show better net
profits On operation.
The clearings Of banks for Jan
nary totaling $4,000 100000, were
$4,000. 900 less than or the same
month last year. CIearsngs outside
OF New York were se,s1s ohn, 900.
compared with ss.ass, 100000 for
January OF 1913. The decline in New
eide Of New York amounted 10 n ftll
per cent Money was easier for
the month. largely because business
operations were smaller.
Building operations for the month
OF January showed a gain of ahuot
10 per cent over the same month last
year although, thew were smaller for
New York, Philadelphia, San Fran
cisco, Los Angeles. Newark. Cincin-
natl, Baltimore and New Orleans,
Big gains for the month were shown
by St Louis, Seattle, Portland. Pitts
burrh, Minneapolis. Grand RAPIDS.
Duluth. Detroit. Denver. Columbus,
= Cleveland afas4ZA HAN y A. n her
of ether leading cities 81 wed Jar
gains.
1t is easy to say that he Business
for the later months OF tbs year Will
depend largely upon crop conditions
because we all know that this mus
be tue Tnis year. however. even
more depends upon the .rops fnan
IL usually the case. Business IS Sew
", Tut surely. improving. and easier
I'M ney is helping general conditi ms
The volume Of business witch VIII
r. shown on the last t.sv Of This
y..r to have been ira leictec ''irine
thr twefve months will sc iafSrss ar
fesird by farm product'+n. i'resent
~ -srta indicate good soil and plant
con lions over practica ~ the entirc
winter wheat, rye and ot' area
There are a few million acres whTh
we're planted to provide ca-iv spring
pasturage, and It In not expected that
We will harvest much more than Ss2.-
100000 acres of wheat. and 2.b0O.o 600
acres OF rye. Allowing for the de-