Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-09
BUSINESS SHOWS
BIG IMPROVEMENT
Bank Examiners Report Pro-
bounced Hopefulness Through
out the Country.
DEPRESSION ONLY IN MAINE
Change for Better in All Lines
Declared to Be Per-
manent.

most oh lines. according TO reports from
national bank examiners. made public
tonight by the Treasury Department.
hlRhty OF the ninety examiners In the
United States reported permanent
Improvement. and Maine is said to be
'he only State where real depression
ex.B,a
pronounced hopefulness is prevalent
In nearly every district" says the an
nouncement. agricultural conditions
are generally excellent. and CONNER
c'al lines. with comparatively few cx-
cepions. are enlarging their activities,
mainly through an increased demand,
but In some cases preparation for nc
tFity is expected TO develop with the
coming OF good weather. Manufac-
turing is on the increase, and those
Industries having orders for supplies
from foreign countries continue es-
pcc!aily active
Further orders have been placed
Tor cars and rails by the railroads and
some large contracts have been made
for structural iron fer large buildings
IN different portions OF the country"
The statement attributes depression
TO unusual conditions abroad. but says
business here has been stabilized
through the application OF economy.
SotIH ~ SHOWING:
MARKED IMPROVEMENT
The South" II continues, lis show
Ing marked Improvement. The sale Of
cotton is active at advancing prices
with tn. result that all business In
that section Is feeling steady and
pronounced improvement. The pros
poets for large crops generally are
excellent, and there Will be greater
diverstication.
The Western States and the Pacific
States are showing q general improve
Incnt.
The New England and Middle Al
lantic States and portions OF the Cen
trai West. although generally report
ing an Improvement, seem to feel the
past depression To tho greatest eX-
tent Farmer, however, generally
have had satisfactory results: but man
ufacturinS, with the exception OF that
TO MI foreign orders, is feeling the
Improvement TO the least extent
There is Improvement, however. in
most lines Savings bank deposits are
Increasing. and generally banks have
an abundance Of money.
TREND or CONDITIONS
IN LEADING CITIES
The following reports show the
trend OF business conditions outside
OF farming communities:
New fOrk-Thcre has been no time
In the last three years that merchants
and manufacturers We're such small bor-
rowers indicating that their present
capital is sufficient for fhci! need. and
that borrowed money cannot be I'm
vested protitabIy by them Prices ot
cdihles hav" declined trin. business
fairly good In graUs Industries for
supplies of var materials. cotton. hat
manufacturing, iron. metals. copper,
shoes, textiles. etc, are improving on
account Of the European war Other
industries VIII Improve II the war con-
t.nues long. Regular steel business is
picking up. Emhro!derics and laces are
looking UP. Lumber business Is i'm
proving tTife. Wholesale groceries
are inactive. Electric and railway sup
piles are spotty, but not much below
normal. Fertilizers are quiet Volume
Of stock and merchandise Is In keep
Ing with the volume OF business Not
much stock carried on the shelf.
"Boston-Strong feeling Of optimism
and business generally regarded as i'm
proved.
elphia-Prescnt and immedi
ate outlook business conditions are en-
couragins and showing gradual i'm
provement
"pittsburgh-Prcscnt conditions show
increased activity.
BUSINESS IN RICHMOND
SLIGHTLY IMPROVED
"Richmond-Gencral business condi-
tions are slightly improved.
| acknowledgements and Immediate ont
nnl. a
"Louisvillc-Prcsent and Immediate
outlook is good.
New Orleans---General situation re-
garded as gradually improving.
"Dallas-lIusincss marking tina.
Basic conditions arc good.
"Chicago-Present conditions d,,,
Immediate outlook hopeful i'm tone.
business showing slight Improvement.
81. Louis-Business conditions stand
NJ highest point since May, 1911
Kansas Ctty--PreSent and immediat te
outlook good for material Improvement
san Observation-Disclosures people are
IN better spirits. Present and immedi-
at outlook better and steadily i'm
proving.
"of the seven New England districts
reporting. none show n decline in husi-
ness conditions. while three districts
- show Improvement. Maine is the onlv
portion reporting real depression. The
lines which show the greatest actiy
ity are those with orders for war sup
plies, which include shoes woolens
coarse cottons. arms. ammunition and
metals Textile. lumber, steel and iron
show improvement.
General business conditions through.
out the Middle Atlantic States show I'M
provement. only two districts (Read-
fng Pa. and Maryland) being excepted.
The general and Immediate outlook Is
reported as good and healthy In tone.
! There Is some slight depression in a
few manufacturing lines, also to some
extent in the retail business
LhAsIC CONDITIONS
IN SOUTH ARE GOOD
"The South as whole reports n de-
cided Improvement. The present out
Continued on Second Pago.)