The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-12-08
OPTIMISM PREVAILS
ALL OVER COUNTRY
FEDERAL RESERVE AGENTS
SAY COUNTRY'S BUSINESS
is GOOD
OUTLOOK BRIGHT
Reports From Various Cities Tend
To Show That Country Still
Is Prosperous
OUTLOOK BRIGHT

Washington, Dec. 3.--Reports of
business conditions throughout the
country from federal reserve agents,
are, in the main, favorable, and
show improvement for November,
according to information from these
sources published today by the re-
serve board.
Atlanta reports general conditions
there as representing more of con-
tinuation of the favorable situation
and outlook for the previous month
than as possessed of new features.
Boston, one of the least optimis-
tic of the IL reserve district cities,
says that there business has improv-
ed "but slightly, if at all, but that
the economies OF the past months
are not now being so riyidly observ-
ed and that the public generally is
spending money more freely than in
the past, due presumably, among
other things to the fact that labor
is more generally employed"
New York Optimistic.
Activity and improvement in trade
and industry continued during the
month, New York reports. Retail
and department stores have found
business very much better with an
increasing demand for higher grade
goods. Steel orders are reported as
very heavy, Notwithstanding steadily
advancing prices.
Philadelphia says conditions
through that district are gradually
becoming better and substantial i'm
provement is being reported in near
ly all lines, with mills and factories
of all kinds working at nearer nor
NAL capacity than for some time
with voluntary wage increases with
some concerns and reduced working
hours and larger payrolls than ever
before.
A. tremendous demand for steel
products and unprecedented activity
in the steel and allied businesses
continued through the Cleveland dis
trict with prices the highest since
1908. Output from automobile and
rubber manufacturers is at capacity
and there is scarcity of labor.
Further developments of the very
satisfactory general conditions here
tofore reported" features the Rich
mond district. This is said to be
strongly in evidence and general
business is described as in excellent
position both Immediately and pros
pectively.
Business development in the Chi
cago district is reported as favorable
and confirms former reports of gen.
eral recovery with accumulated or
ders for future delivery in steel
equipment, cars and heavy structur-
al forms exceeding all previous ex-
perience. Confidence in the future
is held to be indicated by expected
undertakings to enlarge output.
At St. Louis.
Sc. Louis says there is indication
of a considerable increase in busi-
ness activity, in all parts of that dis
trict; with business men optimistic
rs to the future and generally con-
ident. Improvement in the last two
months is said to have gone far to-
ward wiping out the losses of the
early months of the year.
Industrial conditions, are reported
good in the Minneapolis district with
labor fully employed.
Although farmers in the Kansas
City district are reported as showing
a decided inclination to hold wheat
for higher prices, a considerable
amount is moving. The district is
said to be facing the next few
months with optimistic complacency.
Reports from Texas, Southern Ok
lahoma, northern Louisiana, south
ern New Mexico and southeastern
Arizona, are said to show a graft
flying recovery from conditions ex-
isting at this period year ago.
San Francisco is hoping for reas-
report declares, with a perceptible
report declares, with a perceptable
betterment in numbering with i'm
portant inquiries and considerable
buying which have som ewhat streng-
thened "the demoralized prices"