The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-03-08
BUSINESS MEN
FEELING BETTER
Continued from page 81

Dardanelles are opened the outpoor Of
Russian grain will check our exports
and restrain high prices here.
The money situation is exceedingly
easy. Demands for business accom-
mediation are Of course small, and
funds are now returning from the
agricultural districts. The outlook is
consequently for easy rates for some
time to come. excepting the slight
stringency which may develop as usual
Iaround the first OF April There is I'm.
Iquestionably larger amount Of funds
awaiting investment than is generally
supposed. Lack of confidence has in
duced many investors to hold back for
more assuring conditions. The. belief
that European liquidation Is incom-
Iplete and that the placing OF enormous
government issues abroad will insure
better rates for CAPITAL has also been
la factor in making investors hesitate
! Security holders have had to face
very discouraging influences abroad
land at home So far as the war IS
concerned, it looks as IL it's very Sc
verify would hasten the end. Public
opinion has been considerably stirred
by the embargo activities of the bel
lllSeTeuLS.r DuL lie WOTSI 1cnSClS VI
these movements have already been
felt. and there is no reason for Amer
licans to take other than calm and
hopeful views of the outcome. Peace
cannot be expected Immediately since
the better prospects of success to the
tallies will only strengthen their de-
Termination to carry the struggle to
an end which they deem satisfactory.
The strain Of the war upon the bel
iligerents has thus far been less Sc
we're than might be expected. Great
Britain is showing extraordinary
| financial strength. having SO far met
texpenses with little difficulty, and also
Afforded important financial aid to
Russia, Belgium and other belligerents.
France is meeting the war success
fully, being country Of exceptional
| financial strength. Bristol consols are
lnow selling little below CO, compared
with about rs year ago, drop OF
about 6 points. French rentes are
selling at about 20, COMPARED with IS
a year ago, drop OF about Is points
The New York stock market has re-
sponded to better influences and
shows general rising tendency. Spec
ulation is not active. but prices exper-
fenced considerable huctuation. A
fair degree of activity was shown in
the bond market, partly owing to sales
on foreign account There is good
buying, however, of the better class
of bonds, prices of which are well
sustained. The amount of new issues
announced in February was over
s26O 900, coo, Of which about 5000 TO-
1000 represented railroad bonds. A
large proportion Of these issues, how
| ever, were for refunding purposes; the
maturities in February alone being
estimated at nearly s60,0O0,00O With
| the close of congress, business men
will have relief from the harass of
hostile legislation. Fortunately there
has been decided abatement of the
o-position to railroads and large indus
trial corporations, which when other
conditions permit will materially aid
business recovery. Mr. Wilson has
promised to give big business a fair
chance, and it Is to be hoped that
nothing will interfere with the free
and full execution of this promise.
HENRY CLENS.