The Washington herald., 1915-08-09
American Business Confidence
Grows with Crop Improvement
National Commerce Chamber Reports Fear Of Something
Going to Happen Has Almost Disappeared AConserv-
atism and Caution Still Seen by Investigators.

The former feeling of apprehension. Of
something Is going to happen" because
Of the European war. has almost entirely
disappeared. according to a special re-
port submitted yesterday by the COM
mittee on statistics and standards of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States. Even with the possibility of our
being entangled in this gigantic world
conflict, there still remains a pronounced
belief that Notwithstanding such unto
ward conditions business is bound to
improve and show distinct advancement
Confidence in the future. according to
this committee, of which A. w. Douglas.
of st. Louis, is chairman, has grown
apace with the steady progress OF the
crops and the slow but continual i'm
provement in industrial affairs.
In the main. the thoughts and interests
of the great mass Of producers, whether
in the city in industrial life. or in the
countryside in agricultural pursuits, a.e
In their immediate local happenings and
in all constructive measures which will
benefit their particular communities
rather than either the great national or
international problems. There still con-
tinues. however, much conservatism and
caution in buying and in new commit
ments. The feeling seems to be that 1t
Is best to wait until the results OF the
crops are known beyond question befope
venturing in more extended way. and
as a consequence stocks Of mercha ndise
throughout the country continue light.
The weather has been the keynote Of
the crop situation for the last six
weeks. Since the first of June there has
been continued. excessive rains in almost
all sections of the country. the excep-
tons being few and distinctly local. The
effect upon the crops has been good and
bad. but the benefit has far exceeded
the damage. as serious as has been the
latter in some sections. This illustrates
strongly the statement made before in
reports submitted by the National Cham
ber's committee. that, in general Wet
years are years of bounteous crops:
while unduly dry years during the grow
ing season invoriably are marked with
serious crop disaster.
Lumber interests are everywhere
very quiet. A general dearth of build
ing outside of the large cities Is hav-
ing a very depressing effect on the
sale of al building material
The conditions of mining vary sharp
ly as to the thing mined. Copper
mines are running full time and new
ones are opening up. Zinc and lead
mines are exceedingly busy. and the
mining of iron ore is improving.
Coal mining is everywhere dull, large
ly because CT slack demand from the
railroads and the slow business in most
manufacturing. Slate mining in Penn
sylvania is at low stage necause of lack
of demand. Silver mining suffers be-
cause of low prices of silver: and gold
mining is not much better save in a few
favored localities.
There is but little business in the naval
stores because of lack of demand. Phos-
phate mines of Florida still remain
closed because OF the European war. In
favorable reports come alike from the
fisheries of Oregon. Washington. the
Gulf, and along the Atlantic Coast.
War Orders Help.
Manufacturing varies much according
to the articles made. though in general
is very quiet. Steel and iron business
shows distinct improvement with in
creasing orders. Business of cotton and
woolen mills is only fair. Those manu-
facturers in different sections who have
orders for war contracts are exceedingly
busy. Furniture business in Michigan.
Northern Indiana, and Chicago is alike
dull. Paper mills are running only three
quarters time. Cement factories and
those making bricks and the report only
fair business. The oil industry as a
whole is exceedingly dull. There is very
little demand for railroad ties.
In general because of abundant feed
and low prices, the raising of live stock
is growing industry in all sections of
the country. From the South come re-
ports Of increasing numbers Of animals.
The greatly increased raising in all sec
tons this year Of grain and forage crops
points to large number of cattle and
greater attention to stock raising and
to dairy products. The foot-and-mouth
disease seems to have been entirely
stamped out for the time being. and the
campaign of sanitation and vaccination
against hog cholera has had decidedly
favorable results. Hogs are increasing
in numbers because of abundant feed,
and due to diminishing ravases Of hog
cholera
In every section of the country. with
out exception, the dairy industry 10
spoken of as a growing one and receiving
Increasing attention from tho farmer.
Mules and horses are In good demand
and at desirable prices. This Industry
has been favorably affected by the Euro
pean war.
Dealing specifically with crops the re-
lort goes on to say that stimulated by
the abnormal demand Of the warring
nations hf Europe. the twheat acreage
this season in this country increased
beyond any previous planting. It
was approximately twelve and one-half
per cent greater In winter wheat and
ten per cent In spring wheat than In
ls1A The continued wet weather de-
layed growth. harvesting and threshing.
Much d1maRe Waa Aone Ia tha akaDdfnR