Evening star., 1915-06-05

- eAteHuiHS 10 pldnIS normally en-
gagged otherwise, thus partly offsettng
slack domestic trade Textile dry
goods and mercantile lines generally
are in better demand. but it is evident
that domestic markets of nearly all
KINDS, while improving in tendency
are subject to the ups and downs in
sentiment as the European war con-
tinues."
War Orders Aid to Industries.
From district No. 3. with PhiladeI-
phia as headquarters. comprising most
OF Pennsylvania. Delaware and a part
OF the eastern shore, Maryland, comes
the following:
war orders and their influence are
undoubtedly helping many Industries
General trade, however upon which in
the long run We must depend for our
prosperity. is still dull and much below
normal. The effect of the war
is most conspicuous in the iron and
steel industries. and improvement con-
tinues.''
New England comprising district
No ], with headquarters at Boston, is
consldera ply more cheerful over the
general situation. but reports the great
industrial saving grace of war orders:
Forelgn government orders are re-
ported to be coming into this market
almost daily, and trades directly in
huenced are doing a good business The
situation in the shoe and leather trade
has not improved. In this trade war
orders are still the principal factor.
In the wool and woolen industries -
even apart from war orders, the general
situation seems to be improved"
slight Improvement is reported in
most lines of business, with the excep-
ton of the shoe and leather trade. The
cotton mills are generally running on
full time. for which war orders are
likely to be largely responsible, al
though the report is silent
District No. 4, headquarters at Cleve-
land, comprising western Pennsylvania
Ohio and eastern Kentucky as it's
southern end. reports as follows:
While our advices indicate no re-
cession in business. there is a slight
pause, with fewer orders for new busi-
ness. Steel mills are running about
> per cent increase of ineot capacity
over thirty days ago The activi-
ties of the steel mills may properly
be accredited to orders. but the
report expects that transportation or
ders. normally consuming one-third of
the finished iron and steel of the
United States. again in the market.
will sustain normal degree of mill
activity for some months.
The business situation in the eX-
trerne southern part of this district,
the report continues in reference to
the situation IN western Kentucky.
lis not participating in the general
Improvement throughout the district
except in certain lines having war
orders The general Improvement re-
ferred to is in the conditions report
ed month ago, and sustained with
out gain during May.
Richmond District Report.
fifth district. comprising most Of
Maryland. the District of Columbia,
Virginia and North and South Caro-
lima, comes this report:
Most lines. Including retailers, re-
port in comparison with last year.
this time, materially diminished
volume of business. Manufac-
turers and exporters of goods for war
purposes are, of course, an exception
to the general rule"
The report of the sixth district COM
prising Georgia. Florida. Alabama and
parts of Tennessee. Mississippi and
Louisiana. with headquarters at At
lanta. makes only the slightest direct
reference to the influence Of war or
ders. But the Industries reported as
active have the same significance.
This is in the south. a cotton growing
land. which suffered most when the
war shut off demand for cotton.
The cotton mills of the district are
running fhll force comments the re-
port, and many overtime. with heavy
orders on hand. Reports indicate con
ditions rapidly assuming normal In the
Birmingham iron district
Trade development in the seventh
district. headquarters at Chicago, and
comprising parts of Illinois, Michigan,
Indiana and Wisconsin and all Of Iowa,
is reported as having been favorable
during May.
Moderate Improvement is noticed in
the leading industries, especially iron
and steel and the metal working
branches, comments the report, land
at more satisfactory prices. All agri-
cultural products continue in demand
AT unusually profitable prices, despite
lessened spot demands from Europe
This is one of the most, if not the
most. optimistic report general con-
ditious.
Small Improvement Shown.
District No. s, comprising parts
OF Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Mis-
sissippi and all of Arkansas, reports:
The manufacturing industries, ex-
cept those affected by war orders
show less improvement than the gen.
eral jobbing interest" General bust
ness. still below normal is reported
as slowly improving
Minneapolis. headqu rters of district
No. 9. comprising part of Wisconsin
Minnesota. North Dakota and South
Ia kota. reports:
Ma pufacturs is somewhat below
normal aud Ih. lumber business is off
- cpiuper"d With previous wears.
There ~ 80 evidence of any rea
business: depression. except in the
northern michigan lrOH- iuiliHg dis
tricts and on the iron ranges of north
eFn Minnesota. where condit ions in the
steel business have reflected them
selves in a slowing down of mining
operatFoHS There is consid
cradle activity in tn. stock bushes.
of western No-th Dakota and Souti
t-'-t nar'"r:'- IN" roticeabi.