South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-17
SIGNS OF PROSPERITY

James A. Farrell president of the
United States Steel corporation, gives
the United Press an interview at st.
Paul in which he says steel mills
throughout the country are now run
ming at 20 per cent Of their capacity.
This does not mean that business is
so per cent below normal, as all mills
seldom if ever operate at full capac-
ity at the same time. Pres't Farrell
adds that "Our business is increasing
daily in volume" and he predicts a
season of genuine business activity in
the development of which he does not
consider war or peace a factor.
The monthly report Of the Ninth
Federal reserve bank, of which Frank
p HiXOn of this city is a director,
sounds a positive note of optimism.
From that report we quote:
AS compared with the previous
months report, the business cOndi-
tiOns throughout the entire ninth dis
trict show an Improvement. a no
ticeable feature of developments dur
ing the past 80 days is the growth of
spirit Of healthy optimism. Bust
ness men are not only talking more
prosperous conditions. but they believe
that an Improvement is beginning to
manifest itself, and are looking for
ward TO a more active condition than
has prevailed for many months.
Banks are in strong condition and
are well prepared to meet the more
active demands OF the spring months.
Interest rates are normal and money
is easy.
Perhaps the most convincing evil
dence of the coming of a busy and
prosperous season is that which
comes from the recent newspaper
meetings i'm New York city. There
1.400 publishers from every state in
the union attended the meeting Of
the American Newspaper Publishers
association. Reports were received
from every state, and in not a single
instance did these reports fail to re-
fleet optimism based upon present and
growing business activity. L. II. Bur
CESS. manager Of the Tribune, attend
ed this melting, hence its cheering
message comes TO us with the cOnvic-
ton of personal experience.
The moral is, get busy and help
make the good year still better by
your participation. - Tribune, La
Crosse, Wis. May 3, 1915.
According to local real estate men
and contractors, Springfield has COM
pletely recovered from the business
depression that caused much comment
last fall and winter, and the report Of
Building Inspector Offlighter made the
first of the month is offered as excel
lent proof for their claims.
More dwelling houses and business
buildings are under way right now,
according TO a prominent banker and
business man this morning. than in
any other corresponding season for a
number of years.
The surprising part of it is. that
buildings being erected now involve
the expenditure Of almost twice the
sum represented in similar activities
at this time last year: but operations
are not quite so numerous, he says.
Permits were let last month for 10
buildings at a total cost OF S115115.
while during the month Of April. 1914,
permits were issued calling for the ex-
penditure Of only S19.O15
Last March u permits were issued
at total cost 10 builders of SSS.920.
and during the months before that
extending as far back as September.
1914, there were but very few permits
issued
The boom, according to experienced
real estate men and contractors. is not
superficial, but Is a forerunner Of a
gradual increase OF business for the
community, which will mean the be-
ginning OF a new prosperity. a num-
Der or new business buildings are un-
der way and factories in and near the
city are reopening, with promise OF
fair and gradual increase of output
and employment OF men.-News-R Rec
ord, Springfield. III. May 5. 1918.
Evidence continues 10 accumulate
in proof OF the fact that a broad and