Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-02
BUSINESS IS BRIGHTER
IN RICHMOND DISTRICT
Fifth Regional Reserve Bank Re-
ports Retail Trade Feels Good
Effects OF Big Pay Rolls.
ALL LABOR wELL-EMpLoYED
Big Increase in Prosperity in Past
Sixty Days General Conditions
Throughout United States Have
Changed Little in Past Month.

WASHINGTON. September l.-Busi-
ness conditions throughout the United
States havo changed but little in tho
last month. according 20 reports from
the twelve Federal reserve agents.
made public to-day by the Federal Re-
serve Board. The reports indicate
slight Improvement, with large crops
in sight. manufacturing In special lines
stimulated by foreign orders and
money easy and plentiful
In the Richmond reserve district
composed of the States OF Virginia,
Maryland, West Virginia. North and
South Carolina. heavier pay rolls are
reported. better retail mercantile con-
, ditions are bright and the banks arc
= ready to take care OF the task Of
financing the holding OF the cotton
crop until good prices arc obtained.
Richmond reports that il is realized
Nm the cotton territory there can be
no excuse this year for repetition Of
the experience OF last fall. knowledge
that well-orEanizcd agencies NJ
hand to assist in taking care Of tho
crop has had q stcadying influence, and
is expected TO insure neutral price
subject TO supply and demand.
FIFTH DISTRICT BEGINS
TO FEEL HETrER BUSINESS
The Richmond bank report, in part,
'Rea ijustmcnts, compelled or In
duced by changed conditions. have
reached n stage in this district at
which their effect upon its general
trade Is beginning TO be evident. Labor
of all classes seems TO be very we'll
employed. while there is strong de-
mand for skilled mechanics. In tho
Increasing number OF cities within THIS
district In which manufacturing is de-
/ vcloping. pay rolls are much heavier
fhsy, -, IT,, a.
} retail trade is just beginning to feel
the effect, as WAGES received TO date
IN large measure, have been used in
iiquidatinS indebtedness incurred dur
ins the period OF idlcncss.
The larger jobbinS distributing cen
tcrs In tho district arc almost as great
~ dependent upon cotton as is the ter
ritory in which the staple liz actually
grown. In consequence, general trade
collections. while compa rativcly light
as is usual in midsummer, are not
dlEappoint!nsly small.
HANKS AND MERCHANTS
HENEFITTED ny FARMERS
I'm the Carolinas Il seems TO be very
widely acknowledged that this year
there can be no excuse for a repct!-
ton OF the experiences OF last fall
The knowledge that there are now al
hand we'll organized AGENCIES conpe-
tent to assist IN the gradual liguida
ton Of cotton. free from undue pres
sure upon the farmers has had most
steadyins influence. and will make for
the marketing of the staple at prices
subject only TO tho universal law OF
supply and demand and freed from
artihcial or hystericaI conditions
banking facilities now available will
In permitting the generous use OF cot
ron as collateral when desired. enable
the growers rapidly to l,quidatc sea-
sonal Indebtedness 10 mature in the
fall. and such q condition should make
for the ADVANTAGE OF the banks and
merchants Immediately identified with
the farmers"
The report also states tobacco prices
opened satisfactorily; that general sat
isfaction prevails over the movement
for Investigation OF cro1s: that
abundant grass and hay crops will in
sure good returns to livestock men
The coal trade is reported 10 he i'm
proving Lumber Is the only product
reported to be depressed. In conclu?
sion the report says:
Viewing the situation In the dis
trict as a whole, favorable facts and
promises both actually and compare
weigh single unfavorablc situations rs
10 inspire "A feeling OF confidence"
SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES HAVE
RESUMED OPERATION
The feature OF the month in the
Atlanta district was the revival OF the
iron Industry around Birmingham.
The blowing in OF several additional
furnaces and n demand for labor had
good effect. No fear is felt as TO
the ability 10 warehouse the cotton
crop OF the district or TO take. care
Of II financially through the Atlanta
Reserve Bank. Railroad men feel opti-
mistic that their business is about TO
improve.
Dallas had a six weeks drought in
part Of the district. which reduced ma
telially the cotton yield. hut the report
Il frost does not Interfere there
be fall crop. General business
hdit2ns have been improving stead
much depends on the cotton
5Y on reported increased emergency
" with effect in all lines OF trade
retail dealers and department
.S : show business below NORMAL
uu fcT Unsettled labor conditions are
- HIng manufacturers
II