New Britain herald., 1915-11-02

The Philadelphia agent, who had been making pessimistic reports, says: Improved conditions are reported from nearly all parts of the district. hopeful sign is the report of in- creased sales by department stores, retail clothing, dry goods, grocery and other concerns dealing directly with the consumer. While domestic trade is still below normal, for the first time this year we have reports of a distinct betterment. Most industries and manufacturing plants are busy and in certain lines it is difficult to obtain merchandise, deliveries being slow.
 Labor We'll Employed.
 Labor is we'll employed and from the point of view of the laboring men conditions look good for the fall and winter. The textile industry, one of the most important in this district, pressing, now shows substantial recov- cries.
 Railroad shops are now operating on almost full time, being in better condition than in any period since 1913. Substantial increases in the mum Der of loaded freight cars being moved is reported. Coal mining op- erations continue to improve, paper mills are busy and glass industries are reported to be in fair condition.
 Demand for Steel Here.
 Unprecedented conditions in the steel trade continue to be the factor in influencing all business throughout this district" reports the agent at Cleveland. He continues: "One change over last months report is that much of the demand in steel trade now is domestic, which has made contract ing even into next year quite active Shoe manufacturers, shoe jobbers, wholesale carpet and dry goods deal- CTS, jobbers in millinery, etc., report good business-in some cases as much as 25 to 30 per cent. increase"
 The reserve agent at Richmond re- ports excellent conditions in the cot ton market, fine tobacco crop and an improvement in the lumber mar ket. Labor, he says, seems to be full ly employed and on a babis satisfac- tory to all interests.
 Atlanta District.
 The reserve agent at Atlanta says:
 Events of the past month have not only sustained but increased the confidence of the general business public in the expanding activities of almost all lines. This is not confined to any particular sectiOn.'
 The outlook in the Chicago district is summarized thus:
 foir gaining in strength from day to day trade is giving some evidence of being of the increase and a noticeable spirit of returning and increasing activity appears to be abroad"
 Improved in St. Louis.
 Business conditions in the St. Louis district show continued improvement according to the reserve agent for the Eighth district. The jobbing trade is said to have made substantial gains in the thirty days just closed and merchants view the future with con- 1idence.
 The agents at Minneapolis and Kan sas city are not as enthusiastic as those in the East, but they report no retrogression from the excellent con- ditions commented on in earlier re- ports.
 The Dallas agent reports "a gen. eral improvement in all lines of bus mess and an optimistic feeling as to the fall months.'
 There is an absence of pessimism' reports the agent at San Francisco. "This seems logical in view of the certainty of large crops coupled with present easy credit conditions"