The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-09
Agricultural Conditions Ex- cellent and Commercial
 Lines, With Few Excep- tions, Have a Rosy Hue
MAINE ALONE FEELS REAL DEPRESSION
 SAY INVESTIGATORS
South, as Whole, Reports Decided Improvement and Confidence Has Been Re stOred-POll of Cities

Washington, April S.-Business conditions throughout the country are showing marked improvement in al- most all lines, according to reports from national bank examiners made public tonight by the treasury de- pertinent. Eighty of the ninety ex- aminers in the United States reported a permanent improvement and Maine is said to be the only state where real depression exists.
 Pronounced hopefulness is prevalent in nearly every district,n says the an- nouncement "Agriculturai conditions are generally excellent and commercial lines with comparatively few exceptions, are enlarging their activities, mainly through an increased demand but in some cases prapartion for activity is expected to develop with the coming of good weather. Manufacturing is on the increase and those industries having orders for sup plies from foreign countries continue especially active
 Further orders have been placed for cars and rails by the railroads and some large contracts have been made for struc- { turcI iron for large buildings in different portions of the country''
 The statement attributes depression to unusual conditions abroad but says that business here has been stabilized through the application of economy.
 South Improves
 
 marked improvement. The sale of cotton Is active at advancing prices. with the result that all business in that section is feeling a steady and pronounced improve ment. The prospects for large crops generally are excellent. and there will be greater diversiication
 The western states and the Pacific states are showing a general improve ment.
 The New England and middle Atlantic states and portions of the central west. although generally reporting an improve nent, seem to feel the past depression to the greatest extent. Farmers, however. generally have had satisfactory results, but manufacturing, with the exception of that to fill foreign orders, is feeling the improvement to the least extent. There is improvement, however, in most lines. Savings banks deposits are increasing and generally banks have an abundance of money.
 Of the seven New England districts reporting, none show decline in busi- ness conditions, while three districts show improvement. Maine is the only portion reporting real depression. The lines which show the greatest activity are those with orders for war supplies, which include shoes, wcolens, coarse cottons, arms, ammunition and metals. Textiles, lumber, steel and iron show improvement. General business conditions through out the middle Atlantic states show inn provement, only two districts, Reading. Pa., and Maryland being excepted. The general and immediate outlook is report ed as good and healthy in tone There is some slight depression in few manu- featuring lines. also to some extent in the retail business.
 Decided Improvement
 The south as a whole reports a de- cided improvement. The present outlook and the basic conditions are good. Confi- dence has been restored.
 The effect of the past depression has been the retrenchment of all classes. The retail and wholesale trade has greatly improved. Many farm districts report the best conditions in years. The lumber business has shown reviving activity
 Many sections in the north central states report conditions as normal and many show a definite Improvement; while those states benefited by large harvest and high prices during the last season have been unusually prosperous. The out look for the present season is equally bright; crop conditions being excellent
 Improvement is noticeable throughout the western states. Many districts report 6 remarkable improvement since January | Mining and building have become ac- tive and the agricultural outlook is ex- cenent. Bank deposits are showing s satisfactory increase and all staple lines report very good business
 'Department stores report that March las been the best in their history. Re- tail business is revfving and rop conditions are excellent oye' tire Do aaf'