The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-08-20
Business and Finance

however, that the exchange problem
! between Great Britain and the United
| States is a much more stupendous one
than had perhaps been realized. A
| short time ago our most prominent
bankers were talking of British Gre
dit or loan of $l00,0O0,000, which
would readjust the difficulties in sterl-
/ ing exchange. To-day it is realized
that $500,000O00 is nearer the sum
which would be necessary to put sterl-
ing back on a normal basis. 1t is
said that in some weeks the payments
falling due in this country for the ac-
count of Great Britain for war pur-
poses is not far from 100000, 600 This
will necessitate more gold shipments,
iEg these l.rge operations can be de-
vised.
Business Reports.
Reports compiled and published by
two of the most largely representative
organizations of the United States, the
Federal Reserve Board and the United
States Chamber of Commerce, may be
accepted as an accurate barmeter in
solar as American business and finance
are concerned For not only do
they give an actual survey of actual
physical conditions as relating to sup
ply and demand, production and con-
sumption, but they take note of that
y cry important feature which we call
business sentiment" and which at
present is pointing without deviation
on the business barometer to fair
weather" Added to this is the gov
crnment's monthly crop report, issued
on Monday, which promises billion
bushel corn crop, to be sold at the
highest prices ever known to the
younger generation of farmers.
The Chamber of Commerce sum
marizes conditions somewhat as fol-
lows: Estimates of the corn, wheat
and cotton crops are almost identical
with those made by the government
reports, with the possible exception Of
the cotton crop. Here there is a re-
duction of 100000 bales from last
years production, making the 1915
crop about 100000 bales. This is
explained as a result of the reduction
of 10 per cent in acreage and 40 per
cent in fertilizers. Lumber interests
are everywhere very quiet A gen
eral dearth of building outside of the
large cities is having a depressing eff
feet on the sale of building material
The conditions of mining vary very
sharply 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, largely be-
cause of slack demand from the rail
roads and the slow business in most
Slate mining in Pen
nsylvania is at low stage because of
lack Of demand. Silver mining suffers
because of low prices Of silver, and
gold mining is not much better save
in a few favored localities. There is
little business in naval stores because
of lack of demand. Phosphate mines
of Florida still remain closed, be-
cause of the European war. Unfavor-
able reports come alike from the fish
cries of Oregon, Washington. the
Gulf and along the Atlantic Coast.
Manufacturing varies much, according
TO the articles made, though in gen
aral it is fairly active The steel and |
ron business in cotton and wooden
mills is fair. Those manufacturers in
different sections who have orders for |
war contracts are exceedingly busy. |
The furniture business in Michigan, |
northern INDIANA and Chicago is alike |
hull. The oil industry, as a whole, is
lull. Cement factories and those