The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-09-04
U. S. TRADE IMPROVING.
BUSINESS CONDITIONS GROWING
BETTER AND NO NEED TO
FEAR PANIC.
Money to Hold Big CrOps-RepOrts
From Federal Reserve Agents Indi-
cate the Country Is Safe.

Washington, Sept. 1.-Business con-
Editions throughout the United States
have changed but little in the last
Imonth, according to reports from
the twelve federal reserve agents,
made public today. The reports in
dicate slight Improvement, with large
crops in sight, manufacturing in spe-
cial lines stimulated by foreign orders
and money easy and plentiful
| The feature of the month in the At
lanta district was the revival Of the
iron industry around Birmingham.
| The blowing i'll Of several additional
forces and a demand for labor had a
good effect on general trade. No fear
lis felt, according to the report as to
the ability to warehouse the cotton
crop of the district or to take care of
1t financially through the Atlanta re-
serve bank. Railroad men feel op-
ltimistic that their business is about
to improve.
The Richmond district reported
that it Is realized in the cotton terri
tory there can be no excuse this year
for repetition Of the experience Of last
fall. knowledge that we'll organized
agencies are at hand to assist in talk
! ing care of the crop has had a steady
tpg influence. Southern tobacco mar
| kets have opened at satisfactory prices
Dallas had six weeks drought in
a part of the district, which reduced
materially the cotton yield, but the
report says if frost does not interfere
there may be fall crop. General
business conditions have been improv-
Ing steadily, but much depends on the
cotton crop.
I Boston reported increased emer-
gency orders, with direct or indirect
effect in all lines of trade, but retail
dealers and department stores show
business below normal figures. Unset
tied labor conditions are troubling
manufacturers.
From New York it is reported that
I,tndustry, particularly in iron. steel,
\ lmaehinery. wool and leather, is more
active. with foreign orders the prin-
cipal stimulus. Wholesale trade is
good and stock transactions were no.
tably larger in volume. =,
| Thpra hoo hoor Iittlo oL,,-o -
Philadelphia district, and the report
adds the expected general improve
ment has not appeared and the out
look Is uncertain" Emergency busi-
ness continues in iron and steel trade.
with the hope that it will soon create
activity in other lines. Railroad
freight traffic is increasing, but coal
mines still are working only half
time.
| Cleveland reports that gains shown
last month are being held, although
there has been no decided new ad-
vance. Domestic trade has not reached
normal. Crops are suffering some
what from wet weather.
| Chicago reports that August de-
velopments show the general business
advance" with better than average
crops in sight. and iron and steel
plants running to capacity. The au-
tomobile cities report an unusual de-
mand.
| Changes in conditions in the St
Louis district are reported as for the
better, with still more clearly de-
flned feeling of confidence. There is
increased activity in general business
and with the promise Of an excellent
harvest conditions should continue to
| Improve"
The Northwest is harvesting its big
grain crop, Minneapolis reports, and
Wholesale and retail business is re-
spending promptly to that influence.
The yield in small grains is expected
TO be unusually large.
No important changes are noted in
the Kansas City district, except an in
creased demand for money to move
the crops.
The unsettled condition Of exchange
mas affected the San Francisco dis
trict In Its foreign trade, as has the
lack of ships. Railroads are busy.
oranges are bringing satisfactory
prices, but lemons are moving slowly
at low prices.