The Washington herald., 1915-01-24
GOOD BUSINESS
Will IMPROVE
Cuno H. Rudolph Says Con-
hdence Gains and Conditions
Favor Money Borrowers.
SALES ARE INCREASING
U. S. on Eve of One of Its Prosperous
Periods and Reserve System
Helps. States Cochran.

\ steady advance along almost all
lines Of business was noted during the
week Deposits in banks are good; in
fact. they showed an excess over the
totals Of the previous week People seem
to be satisfied" declared Cuno H. Ru-
dolph president Of the Second National
Bank yesterday in reviewing the week s
business.
Favorable to Borrowers.
confidence in the status Of things is
increasing. No unusual pressure for set
Elements was noticed, while demands for
good investments were on the increase
Activity in the sale Of stocks and bonds
vas cnCoura sing to the whole market.
Conditions are favorable to borrowers
and the demand for loans was brisk. The
meeting Of maturites is easier, and Il
general desire prevailed to hurry the
reaning-up OF business hanging over
from the last of the year.
Business men report increased sales.
Il recovery from the duIlness following
holiday trading. This favorable indica-
ton. however. seems to be peculiar to
Washington. as men from other cities
with whom have talked do not say the
same.
The above is what has taken pla .. in
the opinion OF an expert in finance What
this tendency toward increased conf
dcnce and general progression will lead
10, IS told in the interview of another
hank president. John s. Cochran, OF
the Franklin National Bank.
Asserts L. :. Will Boom.
The United States is approaching a
T"riod Of prosperity: by fall the Coun-
try will have returned to normal bust
less conditions, while this time next
,ear business will be booming" de-
ciares Mr.. Cochran.
Conditions have been improving to
such an extent that since October we
have practically recovered from the de-
preston Of the summer Reports from
the large financial markets indicate con-
fdence and an easing of money.
Improvement comes only by gradual
advances, while depression generally,
is sudden and rapid in arriving For that
reason, conditions now are as good as
should be expected.
The progress of business man be com
pared to the rolling OF a SNOWFALL 1t
grows the more it advances.
The ball is rolling now I do not
think it will explode upon reaching its
maximum size. as in former times, and
happens with some snOwballs. The
Federal reserve banks will be there to
put the breaks on. When tension is no
ticed, money rates will gradually ad-
vance until it will he Improbable to
borrow
Reserve system Helps.
The confidence that is felt because of
the existence of this reserve system is
having beneficial effects on business 1t
has provided a central power in finances
for raising and lowering discount rates,
sometimes which has long been needed in
this country and which has proved its
value in France and England"
In speaking of conditions locally, Mr..
Cochran said
Business in Washington is sound.
We were not affected greatly by the
depression OF the summer, not being a
manufacturing center. The majority
Of residents here are employees Of the
government. which neither holds back
their pay nor releases them during dull
business times.
Mr.. Cochran was born in Staunton.
Va, where he received his grammar
school education. He attended high
school at RelleyUe. Va. and matriCu-
lated in the University of Virginia.
Upon graduation. he returned to Staun-
Ton. where n" began the practice Of
Law Shortly after his return he was
elected president Of the Planters Bank
in that city, which position he still re-
tains.
During April of 1914. Mr. Cochran
,ame to Washington upOn his election
10 the presidency OF the Franklin Ma
rcnal I'auk