Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-06
BETTER BUSINESS REPORTS.

Current movement OF merchandise
continues scnaewha. below normal. par
ticularly in the east; in the west and
south there is more activity and bust
ness sentiment is quite confident be-
cause of the generally promising agri-
cultural outlook. At number of the
interior centers bank clearings exceed
those Of the two years Immediately
preceding and at Chicago clearings for
March are the largest ever reported for
a single month Merchantile collec-
lions are somewhat backward, which is
not unusual at this season. and In spite
of the attractive rates for money future
borrowing is light and offerings OF
commercial paper continue restricted.
Retrenchment still characterizes the
iron and steel trade. Some betterment,
however, e still manifest in copper and
the record exports during March testify
to large consumption abroad. A
steadier tone has developed in prac-
tically all the dry goods markets, with
advances named on general lines OF
fall wooleus and worsteds. Buying Of
print cloths and convertibles has ex-
panded somewhat. but care is exercised
in accumulating merchandise and at
certain manufa curing centers part of
the machinery is idle Conditions in
wool reflect sustained strength and in
dications point to continued frmness
in the raw material. Quietness in foot
wear has resulted in general slowing
up in the factories and new business
in leather is Irregular although tanners
maintain quotations by restricting pro-
duct1on.
Apart from few scattered sections,
prospects for the growing winter wheat
crop are distinctly encouraging and the
leading grains have receded in value
Some complaints are heard Of delayed
farm work in the south, but cotton re-
acted after an early advance and the
trend Of most other commodities was
again downward, thirty-s!x declines
and twenty gains occurring this week
in the 80 prices compiled by Dunns
Review.
Statistics of bank clearings outside
Of New York made a fairly favorable
comparison during March, there being
increases of 2.S and So per cent, re-
spectively, over the two preceding
years: on the other hand gross earn
ings Of railroads reporting for three
weeks of that month were 3.8 per cent
smaller than in 1913
That the country,s business mortality
is diminishing is indicated by the in
solvency for March. Commercial fail
ures are still, above the average, but,
as was expected, some Improvement
was disclosed in comparison with
earlier results this year. Last month s
defaults, both numerically and in the
amount of money involved. were lighter
than in either January or February,
and though there were considerably
more suspensions than in March, 1913,
the liabilities, on the other hand. We're
substantially reduced. The exhibit for
the manufacturing division was ad-
verse in each respect, whereas in trad
ing occupations and in class embrac-
ing agents. brokers and similar con-
Germs the aggregate debts decreased
materially from the figures Of year
ago. In analyzing failure returns 1t is
essential to eliminate the reverses Of
unusual size from the greater bulk OF
smaller insolvencies, since a few large
losses frequently distort the record.
During March there were 81 defaults
for 800, 900 or over for a grand total
Of ss.5o0ooo, thus leaving an average
Of $500 for the remaining 1,43S sus-
pensions. This is lower than in three
Of the four years Immediately proceed
ing, the average for 1911 being in ex-
cess Of $4,000.
In new York city during the last
year there were 302 automobile fataii-
ties, Of which 149 were children. In
the state Of New York, outside Of the
city, the totals for the year are: Au-
|tomObiie, $50: trolley, 10: wagons. -.