The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-01-29
60 AHEAD" SPIRIT
TO RULE YEAR 1874
THOUSANDS LAID OFF m 1917
HAVE RETURNED TO WORK ~
SINCE JAN. 1. -
CHICAGO FINANCIERs' VIEWS
Big Bankers and Business Men All
Seem TO Be Optimistic-What
the Various Ones Say On
the Subject.

Chicago, Jan. 27.-Business condi-
tons in Chicago and throughout the
country are decidedly better than they
were a short time ago. Nineteen
hundred and fourteen promises to be
a year of profitable activity. The
present looks like a good time TO go
ahead"
That, in brief, is a summary of the
views expressed by a number of PROM
inent bankers, manufacturers, and
merchants interviewed.
Men Put on Again.
Since Jan. / several thousand men
who had been laid off late in 1913
have been put back to work in differ
ent industries. Reports are that work
ing forces will be still further in.
creased.
Among the points advanced as in.
dicating an active business year are:
The seeming certainty that the rail.
roads will be granted an advance OF )
per cent in freight rates.
More plentiful supply of money and
lower interest rates.
Coming Inauguration of the new sys-
tenn of regional reserve banks, which
is counted on Ito make panics impos.
sible."
Better understanding between bust
ness men and the administration.
j. Ogden Armour, who conducts one
of the greatest business enterprises in
the world, expressed his satisfaction
with the present outlook.
The business outlook is rosy, in
deed" said Mr.. Armour. The manu-
facturers will be busy and money will
be easy"
The go Ahead" Spirit.
Bankers in Chicago repeat the Opt
mistic go ahead assertions made in
the city by Secretary of the Treasury
McAdoo. Those are my sentiments"
said James b. Forgan, president of
the First National bank, and added
that the go ahead spirit, coupled
with a general feeling of optimism.
presaged a better business condition.
Money rates are softer than they
have been in months. Rates are set
Ting around a 5 per cent basis in Chi
cago. Money is flowing in from the
country in large volumes, but it is 8
natural situation at this time. Our
customers report that business is pick
ing up and the collections are fairly
good"
John ]. Mitchell, president of the
Illinois Trust & Savings bank, said:
Business sentiment has improved
greatly in the last week or ten DAYS
although the tangible developments.
which should show as a result of this
condition, have not as yet become nu-
merous. | believe that If the railroad
rate advances are allowed, and / am
of the opinion they will be, the Incl
dent will have a splendid influence
based upon the better feeling which
already has been established"
Patten Hopes for Prosperity.
James A. Patten, declaring that he
hoped for prosperity during the COM
ing year, said that the results
plished so far had been small.
e. d. Hubert, vice president of the
Merchants Loan & Trust company,
pointed out that the fact that manu-
facturers were inclined to increase
the working forces in their plants was
one of the best indications of better
conditions.
Write optimism in blackface
type clear across the page and you
will express my sentiments" said
Harry N. Wheeler. vice president of
the Union Trust company.