Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-27
BIG CHRISTMAS TRADE.

Christmas trade has exceeded all ex
thruout the nation and TO-
gether with the general upward
tendencies has stimulated trade in all
lines.
Bradstreets reports that: LAS indi-
Gated, holiday trade is unprecedented
and complaints few. Apparently the
people having money to spend have
been spending il on useful articles. and
forwarding Of gifts has overtaxed the
postal facilities as never before, the
expected depressing sentimental in
fiuence Of the European wars on a
large part of our population having
been negligible or sufficiently over
balanced by the general spending
power of the masses. Mail-order con-
Germs report unparalleled activity"
Dun's Review says that: "Christmae
requirements ran beyond expectations.
the long spell Of good shopping weather
having brought out crowds OF buyers at
the retail stores, and both local and
country dealings reached an aggregate
of surprisingly large proportions. This
indication on the part of the great body
Of consumers is taken as the best as
surance of good times in trade"
AS to trade in general Dun's Re
view tells US that, overtime continues
In force at many manufacturing plants
and the general request for early de-
liveries testifies to the urgency OF cur
rent requirements. Evidences ac-
cumuIate that supplies are becoming
shor. In some lines and efforts to re-
plenish depleted stocks are hampered
by the railroad congestion, though the
additional embargoes on export freight
work to the advantage of domestic con-
sumers There is, however, still con-
siderable complaint of retarded traffic
movements and delayed shipments &C
celerate the advance in commodity
prices, fuel being notably strong on
this account. A sharp rise has also
occurred In copper-which is at the
highest level since 1907-but this is
due to a resumption OF heavy buying
rather than to any scarcity OF the
metal. Production Is at a record rate
and industrial operations generally are
undated. conditions at the footwear
factories being without precedent in
this regard. Manufacturers are taxed
to the utmost and are booked months
ahead. while only the shortage Of dye
stuffs curtails activities at the textile
mills. Under the circumstance. there
is a keen demand for skilled labor and
the marked increase in the working
force, in many instances at enhanced
wages, is reflected in the largest
volume Of Christmas sales ever re-
ported in some sections.
Thruout the middle states bust
ness continues on its upward
trend, according to Dun's Review which
says of this region:
Business has maintained the i'm
proved momentum and the general
conditions at no time heretofore have
been so distinctly improved and at the
same time assured Of long-continued
prosperity. With the season for in
ventories and repairs close at hand
GONE slowing down in production and
distribution is usually expected, but at
this time the activities are under such
high pressure that any shutting off OF
capacity means much loss and delay
and there is to be little hating in the
leading industries. New demands for
outputs Of furnaces. rolling mills and
factories again are notably strong and
there is also gratifying upturn in
prices, which means return to ade-
quate operating profits for nany con-
Germs which suffered from the de-
! preston. With these favorable condi-
lions in manufacturing. further bet
:cr.nent is also evident IN the pFemi-
nent lines of distribution. especially
dry goods, footwear and clothing. In
fae.s y.ast ali branches OF general 4ner-
fchandisfng have lately felt the stifnu-
fius OF larger orders and easier col
ilections