The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-05-10
2oHenrv clews Letter.)

the note was made public and Its un-
satisfactory character dfvulged- on I
Friday morning. there was a sharp /
slump in securities and general dis
appointment. On the decline how I
ever there was good buying and the |
reaction was soon checked. The hope /
also prevailed that in some way a |
automatic break would be averted; |
the very evident willingness of the
German government to conciliate |
American opinion being the basis of
this hope. The Mexican situation has
much improved, and this served to |
lessen the general apprehension
against which the market has been
our export trade continues it's
headlong expansion. The total mer- /
chandise shipments from the United |
States in March were valued at $410,-
900, 900, increase of $ll5,OOe,O0o
over a year ago, and about double |
the March average for the last five
I years 1t is also said to be the largest
amount exported by any nation IN one
month March imports reached
1000. 900. or $4,000, 600 more
above the last dve-year average OF
the United States. These are extra
ordinary figures; confirming the un-
precedented activity of shipping at
Nhis port. They show an excess OF
exports over imports for one month
months, our exports were nearly
$4,000, 900, 900, or more than $1,000
100000 ahead of the same time any
other year Imports for the sameel
period were $1.5O5, 100000. or $751;
1000 900 more than q year ago. This
II left an export balance of nearly
SOC. O0O.0 600 in nine months. and
1fae government report indicates that
this excess may reach $4,000, 900, 800
by the end of the fiscal YEAR Thus
lar these phenomenal conditions, due
entirely to Athe war. have not caused
any serious derangement of the ex-
chang mrkete the adjustment of
which seems to have been aided by
the return of securities and the
granting of credits to foreign nations
Trade reports from all parts of the
country are exceptionally satlsfac-
Atory- 1t should be remembered that
the increase in volume of trade is not
as large as it appears, for the reason
that comparisons are usually made
with values. which are much higher
now than year ago. Nevertheless
the volume of trade is large, and ris-
ing prices are bringing good profits
to both manufacturers and 1distribu-
tors alike. Strikes have been the or.
der Of the day, but these have usually
been the acconnpaninents of pros
perity rather than depression. While
labor has not secured all its demands,
many concessions have been granted,
and the laboring classes generally are
getting a full share Of thee ountry's
prosperity This means enlarged pur-
chasing power arnopk a large popu-
lation. which IN ITSELF is a stimulating
tractor Interior Jobbers and depart
ment stores are buying freely and
stocking up IN anticipation of a good
autumn trade Building is reviving
IN the West Railroads are reporting
earnings 20 per cent and over ahead
of last~year. Bank clearings confirm
trade activity. being over 80 per cent.
larger than year ago ApriPs new
Interpretations for the principal states
aggregated $224,0O0,OoO, compared
with ST.. 100000 the same month in
1875 In the textile trades there is
considerable activity, though more or
less unsettIement caused by labor
difficulties. The steel industry for the
first time in a long period shows hes
itancy- Prices have at last reached a
level that restraints orders and inn
poses caution upon all new enter
prises. Possibly the high peak has
been reached. The mills are sold
weH ahead into 1917 Pig iron pro-
duction is running at the rate of 49,
600, 600 tons annually though output
latterly has been reduced This week
the industry has been much upset by
strikes of more or less seriousnesA
but very liberal concessions have
been made to the majority of hands,
be OF long duration. The antracite
labor problem was settled by granting
advance. which inevitably, means
aearer coal to the consumer. The
railroad controversy has not yet been
adjusted, nor does It seem possible or
fair that the railroads should be
obliged to take on an added burden
without permission to compensate
themselves by better rates If neces-
sary- Thus the upward trend goes on
and on, adding to the cost of living;
for all of these concessions in wages
in the long run fan upon the wage
Garner himself.
The general crop outlook is fair,
though not equal to a year ago. 1t is
estimated that nearly 20 per cent. of
the winter wheat acreage has been
lost and that the coming crop will be
over 100,0J0, 900 bushels less than a
year ago. There is a large surplus,
however, left over from last year to
Soffset this decrease A larger acreage
of corn is anticipated owing to the
decrease in winter wheat. Cotton
acreage thus far reported shows an
increase of per cent. over last year,
when there was a decrease of IA per
cent
The present trade activity cannot
continue indefinitely; its very fever
1shness being proof of its instability.
Initiation is rampant, and the end is
not yet in sight, and under ordinary
circumstances no break would be ex-
pected until credit became oVerex-
panded- At the moment credit Is not
deranged, and beyond the Somewhat
closer scrutiny Of names and con-
Germs the banking situation appears
to be generally sound and satisfac-
tory. Conditions, however, arising
from the war are so extraordinary
that the old guides to opinion are
completely overshadowed. Even our
own financial situation cannot be
gagged correctly without taking into
consideration the vast amount of i'm