The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-09
BUSINESS gains
IN SPITE OF war
Bank Examiners Report Good
Trade Conditions in AL
most Every Section.
COTTON PRICES ADVANCE
New York Has Few Small Borrowers.
Maryland One of States Where
Business Isn't So Good.

A permanent improvement in business
conditions has taken place recently. &C.
cording to the opinion expressed by 81
per cent of the eighty national bank ex-
aminers who were asked for special re-
ports on the outlook by Comptroller OF
the Currency John SHELTON Williams.
The examiners report pronounced hope
fulness in nearly every district. accord
ing to a summary Of these reports. made
public by Comptroller Williams yester-
day. Agricultural conditions are said to
be generally excellent, and commercial
lines, with comparatively few exceptions
are enlarging their activities. mainly as
a result of an increased demand. but in
some instances in preparation for new
business which is expected to develop
with the coming of good weather. In
dustries receiving orders for supplies
from foreign countries are described as
especially buoyant.
Railways Make Contracts.
The Comptroller says:
Further orders have been placed for
cars and rails by the railroads, and some
large contracts have been made for
structural iron for large buildings in diff
although business has passed through
depression caused by the unusual con-
ditions abroad, in many ways the result
will be a permanent benefit. Business
throughout the country has been stabil-
lied through the application of economy.
This economy has been applied by the
manufacturer. merchant, farmer. and in
dividual. The result has been the plac-
ing of all lines upon a more stable work.
ing basis.
Small borrowers Absent.
NEW YORK-There has been no time
in the last three years that merchants
and manufacturers were such small Dor
rowers, indicating that their present cap
ital is sufficient for their need and that
borrowed money cannot De invested prof
itably by them.
Prices of edibles have declined a trife.
Business fairly good in grains. Indus
tries for supplies of war materials. cot
ton, hat manufacturing, iron, metals,
copper. shoes, textiles, etc, are improv-
ing on account of the European war.
Other industries will improve il the war
is continued long. Regular steel business
is picking up. Embroideries and laces
are looking up. Lumber business Is i'm
proving a trifie. Wholesale groceries are
inactive. Electric and railway supplies
Fertilizers are quiet. Volume of stock
and merchandise is in keeping with the
volume of business. Not much stock car
ried on the shelf.
Maryland Business Dull.
MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES-Gen-
eral business conditions throughout this
group Sf States show improvement. only
two districts Reading, Pa, and Mary
land) being excepted. The general and
immediate outlook is reported as good
and healthy in tone. No business is de-
Ginning.
Manufacturing generally is increasing
and the production of articles for the
use Of foreign armies Is active in this
section also.
There is some slight depression in a
few manufacturing lines. also to some
extent in the retail business.
SOUTHERN STATES-The South as
whole reports a decided improvement
in business. The present outlook and
the basic conditions are good. Confidence
has been restored, and the Improvement
is permanent
1.-The effect OF the past depression has
been the retrenchment of all classes and
the application of the principles of econ
omy. The retail and wholesale trade has
greatly improved. Many farm districts
report the best conditions in years. with
good demand for cotton at advancing
prices. and excellent crop prospects. The
lumber business has shown reviving &C
tivity."