Evening star., 1915-11-02
ENTHUSIASTICALLY
NOW IS IMPROVING
Federal Reserve Boards Octo-
ber Bulletin Cheerful as to
Fifth District.
AUTO AND COTTON MILL
INDUSTRIES PROSPEROUS
Continuation for Several Months of
Promising Situation Indicated.
Labor Fully Employed.

| Business in the fifth federal reserve
district, in which Washington is in
cluded. is reported to be improving in
the monthly bulletin of the federal re-
serve board for October That business
| in the fifth district had been "slow and,
at times, haltinS," during several
| months, but had finally yielded to i'm
proved conditions, is indicated in the
report.
The October bulletin shows that
while cotton is largely responsible, it
can fairly be said that the improve
ment Is attributable to the fact that
intelligent and very general curta!l
ment of acreage" permitted diversified
ton of crops. including tobacco and
grains, which resulted to the benefit of
the farmers. Cotton has been moving
freely. it is said, permitting generous
liquidation
Tobacco has been of good quality and
ceiling at good prices. Vegeta able and
fruit packing conditions in the fifth
district are reported to be much better
than two months ago.
Whole Business Tone Better.
The report also says the whole tone
of business in this district is improved
II,
while the automobile business and the
cotton mill business are prosperous
Labor seems to be fully employed
and on basis satisfactory to all in
rests, says the bulletin. which adds
hat public utility corporations are do
hS good business and banks are in
aSy position.
From present indications very
comfortable and promising industrial
situation with us is apt to continue to
9e in evidence during the next three or
our months at least" according to the
hulletin.
Improvement in Boston District.
For the Boston district there has been
considerable improvement in CONNER
cIal activities. and reports coming from
me different lines of trade are not only
cheerful but decidedly optimistic De-
'pite difficulty of ascertaining the ex-
+ent to which European orders figure,
he domestic demand is daily becoming
greater factor.
industrial activity in the New York
turing the month Wholesale and re-
tail trade expanded with better colIec-
lions. Reports almost uniformly good
7aVe been received.
Dyestuffs Scarcity a Detrinent.
Improved business conditions are re-
ported from nearly all parts of the
Philadelphia district. A hopeful sign is
the report of increased sales by depart
ment stores, retail clothing, dry goods,
grocery and other concerns dealing di-
-ect:y with the consumer. While do
nestle trade is still below normal, there
IS distinct betterment. Scarcity of
a,-estIffs is a serious detriment to some
ind d1stries. however, and Is daily be-
coming more acute.
Unprecedented conditions in the steel
trade continue big factor in influenc-
ing business in the Cleveland district,
There was a decrease in idle railroad
cars of 100000 in September. Crop con-
ditions in the southern part of the dis
trict are excellent, and the feeling op-
t;mistic.
Confidence in Atlanta District.
Events of the month, Atlanta reports
have not only sustained teut increased
condence of the general business pub
lie throughout the district. Commercial
travellers report merchants sales dou-
BILE those of last year in the same
period.
Chicago says that the large centers in
Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa
report affairs seemingly are gradually
gaining in strength from day to day.
On the increase, and noticeable spirit
of returning and increasing activity ap-
pears to be abroad. A few lines are
operating below normal but there is
more evidence of generally restored
confidence and more activity in most
lines
st. Louis Notes Improvement.
Continued improvement is reported
from st. Louis. The jobbing trade has
made substantial gains and marked
feeling of confidence is felt among
merchants. Further activity is indi-
Gated as result.
Retail business in the Minneapolis
distiic, is far to good" with an ex-
cellent outlook. Manufacturing lines
show little change. Bad weather has
had an adverse effect on the marketing
of grain and reduced arrivals at Min
neapolis and Duluth.
Farmers in the Kansas City district
are still inclined to hold their wheat
corn and oats, apparently believing
that higher prices will prevail later
Hope is entertained for a bumper corn
crop. Trade generally is said to be
active, with fair collections.
Dallas District Optimistic.
Conditions throughout the Dallas dis
trict continue favorable. A general
Improvement Is noted in all lines, and
the general feeling Is optimistic
San Francisco says there Is an alb
sence of pessimism and that there is a
certainty of large crops. Depression