Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-06-04
GENERAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS

concerning the business situation for the past week
"Steadily expanding industrial operatiOns-due main
ly but not wholly to the big war demands-have sm-
uatng effect generally although the many uncertainties
Of the foreign situation make for caution everywhere
Hesitancy in enterprise however, does not imply
any lack Of confidence in the future but rather DISPOSE
ton to await further developments in regard to this
cOuntrys diplomatic relations with Germany. Funda-
mentally, domestic conditions gain in strength gold is
again flowing this way and the banking position is unls-
ualy sound with ample funds available for all require
mentS collections somewhat less difficult on the
WHOLE and While credits are still closely scanned COM
melcal failures during May made much the best exhibit
OF the year Moreover the purchasing power of the peo
pie is enhanced as the number of unemployed dmnishes
more men finding work as activity at the mills and
factories reVlVeS-Whle another prosperous season for
the agricultural community is indicated by the favorabe
progress OF the crops Prospects for large traffic move
mentS in grain and other staples prompt the TRANSPORTING
companies to enter the market freely for needed
equipment, and buying on the part of these interests
together with the urgent war demands results in con-
tnued Improvement in iron and steel Production is not
only maintained at the recently increased rate but in
some instances still further expands and while quotations
lack uniformity the general tendency upward Offer
ing OF price concessions has accompanied the return TO
guinness IN copper and tin is easier because of heavy ar
lWals, puC the other minor metals notably strong
with Speter ruling much higher than ever before
elsewhere industrial conditions reflect irreqularitv
New England cotton mills running close to full capacty
whereas Wooen and W0rsed manufacturers are in need
o ne" doheSuc orders to keep machinery occupied The
shortage IN dyestuits remains handicap at the textile
cenerS and is leading to sharp advances in values par
teuIary on black prints and indigo blue goods Although
wool rules at high position there is trend toward even
SieaIef mneSs with renewal of speculation and active
trading IN the new clip in the West few footwear
shGpS are IN receipt OF larger volume of contracts and
shipments are increasing while leather though ouiet for
the present, gives promise of an early resumption Of
@cn &c1y Trading in hides has diminished somewhat but
I9IHer SCfength IS maintained full quotations being
obtained on fairsized transactions In strictly morcans
tile INES weather conditions have had deterrent effect
on tne distribution of seasonabe merchandise at retail
particularly in the East yet this is temporary influence
more normal '''N' ''O0'ne
"ihat commercial and industrial operations are ex-
pandng Indicated by the steady though as vet small
gam IN bank c!earngs; but on the other hand GROSS
earnings OF railroads reporting for three weeks in Nav
sho" shght loss as compared with a year ago AS hear.
ing upon tne heavy foreign demands for foodstufs and
war supplies the complete April returns of this nations
oyersea commerce proved highly significant: eynorts
hoDpb %nops weS es m h'n in March or February ye
cess OF shipments over receipts amounted to nractca
$lI000000" '''' " Pl'VVcaIly :