Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-09
IMPROVED CONDITIONS
OF BUSINESS IN j. S.
Former Feeling Of Apprehension BE.
cause Of European War Almost
Entirely Gone.
OUTLOOK IS MUCH BRIGHTER
Special Report Made Public by Com
mittee on Statistics and Standards
OF Chamber of Commerce OF tho
United States.

WASHINGTON. August S.-The for
MGR feeling of apprehension of some
thing going to happen" because of tho
European war, has almost entirely
disappeared. according to n special re-
port on business conditions in tho
United States made public here by the
committee on statistics and standards
OF the National Chamber Of Commerce.
Even with the possibility Of this
country becoming en,anglcd in tho gi
Gantic world conflict, there still re-
mains. according TO this industrial re-
view. q pronounced belief that not
"lthstand!nG such untoward condi-
lions, business Is bound TO improve
ana show distinct advancement. Con-
hdence In the future. the committee as
Scrts. has grown apacc with the steady
progress of the crops. and the slow,
put continual improvement In business
aHairs. The findings of the committee
are summed up in the following sum-
mary:
In the main, the thoughts and IN
tcreEts Of the great mass of producers
whether In the city industrial lifo. or
in the countryside in agricultural pur-
suits. arc in their Immediate local hap
Jennings and in all constructive mca-
sures which will benefit their particu-
lar communities rather than either tho
great national or international prob
much conservatism and caution in
buying and in new commitments. The
feeling seems TO he that IL is hes, 10
wait until the rcEults of the crops are
known beyond question before yentur-
ing into more extended way, and as
Il consequence stocks OF merchandise
throughout the country continues
light.
The weather has been the keynote
at the crop situation 'or the past six
weeks. Since tho first of June there
have been continued excessive rains
in most all sections Of the country the
exceptions being few ana disiinctivcly
located The effect upon the crops has
been both good and bad but the bene-
Il, has far exceeded the damage, as Sc
T!ous s has been the latter in some
sections.
Lumber interests arc everywhere
very quiet y general dear,h OF build
Ing outside of the large cities is hav-
Ing very depressing enec, on the
sale Of all hrildinr material
The conditions of mining vary
sharply as n the thing mined. Copper
mines are running fun time and new
ones are opening UP. Zinc and lead
mines arc exceedingly busy and the
lining OF iron ore is improving
Coal mining is everywhere dull!
largely because OF slack demand from
the railroads and Tho flow business in
most manufacturing Slate mining in
Pennsylvania Is al low stage because
Of lack ct demand silver mining suf-
fers because Of low prices Of silver,
and gold mining is not much better
save In 4 few favored localities
There is bu, little business in The
naval stores because of lack OF de-
mapd PHOSPHATE mines In Florida
still! remain closed because of the war
in Europe unfavorable reports come
like from the fisheries OF Oregon.
Washington, the Gulf. and along the
Atlantic Coasts
Manufacturing varies much accord
ing 10 the articles made. though in
general Is very quiet. Steel and iron
business shows distinct Improvement
with increasing orders. Business of
cotton and wooden mills is only fair.
Those manufacturers in different sec
lions who have orders for war con
tracts arc very busy. Furniture bust
ness in Michigan. Northern Indiana
and Chicago is alike dull Paper mills
are running only thrce-uuarters tine,
cement factories and those making
bricks and tile report only fair husi-
ness The oil business AS 4 whole is
exceedingly dull. There is very little
demand for railroad tic.
In general because o: abundant
fca1 and los prices. the raising Of live
stock IS a growing industry f., I'll sec
lions a the country. From the South
come reports OF increased numbers Of
animals. The greatly IN .-acsod rails.
Ing in all sections this year Of grain
and forage crop. points 20 n large
number of cattle and greater attention
10 stock raising and TO dairy products.
I'm every section OF the country.
without exception, the dairy industry
snoken OF as growing one and re-
Giving Increasing attention from the
'arnler Mules and horses are in GOOD
demand, and nj desirable prices This
industry has been favorably affected
~ til" European war"
Dealing specifically with crops thu
'cpor, goes or to say that stimulated
- the abnormal demand OF the war
IN" nations of Europe. the whea,
'rr"age this season in this country in
~ aTcd beyond any previous p!antin Z.
''1s approximately 1919 per cent
r"n'er in winter wheat and 10 per
"' prinE wheat than in 1914 The
'""'inucd wet weather delayed growth.
It'"ostng and threshing. Much dam
,"" VAS done 10 the standing grain in
h. 'owlnnds. Many fields were washed
tWaH entirely by the foods and sub
'rGuent damage accrued in shocks
because OF srrouting and too much
MOISTURE Thesc accumulated results
inced estimate OF both spring and
winter wheat, and based on the reports
inher consideration. the estimated
probable yield will be a4s,500. 600
bushels
While corn needs an abundance or
moisture for Its complete growth ana
development. II has had n supera bund.
nee this season The result is tina,
the bottoms the crop In many co.
IONS Is hurt beyond repair On ~.
'"iands and the hill country tho COW
i'ions. however. are of the very heet
nj VIII do much TO repair tho dan,.an
one in the lowlands On these hiiis
talks nine to ten feet with two ears
each stalk are common, and two
weeks ago corn was tasseline nc e.
sOrth IS the southern line of Iowa nn,
long that latitude "''
;ROWTH RETARDED by
CONTINUED COOL wE.T1,H,
I'm the northern sections, cspecia1lv
Minnesota. Wisconsin the two ia.