Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-30
Industrial Reconstruction
Is Now Reported Certain

ness to respond to any new and en-
Couraging influences.
General business .alreadys shows
positive improvement; slight, it may
be. but real nevertheless; and there
are excellent reasons for anticipating
its continuance The country has been
through a prolonged period of severe
economy. This economy was greatly
intensified by fear Of serious conse-
ouences following the war. Every
business man upon whom initiative
depends knows to his sorrow what d
deterrent factor apprehension has
been in the last few months. Many
people, particularly the well-to-do,
have economized more than was neces-
sary; the result being increased saw
ings, which must now come out, eth
er in the investment OF larger pur-
chaseS of some sort. When the purse
strings are loosened and the number
of unemployed is decreased, all kinds
of merchandise must pass more freely
into consumption; hence one must look
for a better distribution in the retail
trade. Already there are signs of
improvement among the great depart
nlent stores in all parts of the coun-
try. Our immense textile industry is
exhibiting pronounced gain in con-
tidence, and cotton manufacturers are
'cften refusing to sell ahead, while
prices are firm and collections better.
The same remarks apply to woolen
goods, which are being materially
helped for orders for foreign armies.
A $1,000, 600 auction sale of carpets
this week was surprisingly success
ful The wholesale grocery trade,
which covers practically all food pro-
ducts except meats, is III excellent
condition and collections are satisfac-
tory. In the steel industry, which
must still be accepted as a first class
barometer, there are decided symp-
toms Of coming activity. Domestic
orders are being placed with more
freedom and prices show a persist
cnt hardening tendency.
at is too early to form any opin-
ion of agricultural prospects, but the
situation is such as to stimulate
farmers into the largest product pos
sible; the liberal demand and good
prices for all food products leaving
the American farmer in decidedly
enviabe position. For another sea-
son he is reasonably certain of good
home and foreign demands at salts
factory prices.
"Thc war continues to be vital
factor in our foreign trade 1t caused
heavy losses during the first eight
months, such as $245,000,000 in cot
ton, $4,000, 900 in iron and Steel, $685.
COO,O00 in copper, $4,000, 900 in lum-
bcr products, S16,000,000 in agricul-
tural implements, etc. These losses
were partially offset by gains of
Sc 100000 in breadstuffs, $30,00O,-
0O0 in horses and mules, $18,000,0 900
ir sugar, S16,O00000 in leather, etc.
We have now reached a season when
shipments in grain and cotton are
naturally light; but shipments of war
materials on orders placed months
ago are now coming forward more
freely, and for the next few months
viii prove highly important factor
In our international trade balance.
The Russian government alone ar
ranged for an order for S83,000,OO
worth Of war material this week
through Canadian concern, large
portion Of which will be executed in
the United States. The British and
French governments are also order
ing materials upon a very extensive