The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-04
TRADE is BETTER
Improvement Reported by Fed
eral Reserve Bank Agents.
Tone of Optimism Echoed in All
Statements.
SOME LINES DOOMED BY WAR
Financial Conditions Excellent
i'm Kansas City District.
Approaching Harvest Promises
Full Pockets for Labor.
SOME LINES DOOMED BY WAR

Washington, June 4.-General bust
ness and banking conditions through
out the country as observed by the
federal reserve agents of the twelve
regional banks are set forth in the
monthly bulletin of the federal reserve
board. Improvement was reported by
most of the agents, while others noted
that the demand from Europe for war
supplies was keeping many industries
There is a feeling of optimism in
all lines of business in this district,
said the Boston report, land slight
improvement in most lines with the
possible exception of the shoe ana
leather trade. Foreign government or
ders are reported to be coming into
this market almost daily and trades
directly Influenced are doing good
business.
The New York agent reported a re-
duction of unemployment, and said:
Domestic Trade Is Slow.
'eThroughout New York state farm
ers fruit growers and dairymen antici-
pate a good season. Factories produc-
ing goods for domestic use are not
busy and new orders come in slowly
The manufacture of war supplies con-
tinues above capacity and is extending
to plants normally otherwise engaged,
thus partly offsetting slack domestic
trade"
The Philadelphia agent reported
that war orders and their influences
were helping many industries
General trade he said, upon
which. in the long run, we must de-
pend for our prosperity, is still dull
and much below normal"
Improvement of conditions in dis
trict No. A. said the Cleveland re-
port, las reported in April, is being
held, but no additional advance is
noted. While our adviceS seem to in
dictate no recession in business there
is slight pause, with fewer orders for
new business.
i1h
little change in general business con-
ditions during May
Timely Rains Give Hope.
Hope for the future he added,
"has been increased in the presence
of timely rains and the knowledge that
the close of the planting season shows
that there is material diversification,
especially in sections heretofore al
most entirely given over to cotton"
Atlanta reported conditions gen
orally good"
Chicago reported improvement in
general conditions.
Trade development in May has
been favorable says the agent. mod
crate Improvement is noticed in the
leading industries. The continuation
of serious labor troubles in the build
ing trades at Chicago is depressing
factor there"
Improvement Is Slow.
General business conditions in this
district" reported the St. Louis agent,
especially in the larger cities and
manufacturing centers, while still be-
low normal. indicate a continued,
though slow. improvement. The
manufacturing industries, except those
affected by war orders, show less i'm
provement than the general jobbing
interests"
Satisfactory agricultural conditions
in the northwest were reported by the
Minneapolis agent, who said:
Underlying business conditions of
the entire northwest are sound. A
spirit of optimism prevails
Purely financial conditions in the
Tenth district were reported as ex-