The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-09-02
GENERAL BUSINESS CONDITIONS GOOD
 DURING AUGUST This Is Shown by Report From 12 Reserve Bank Districts Throughout
 the Country

Washington, September 1.-General ted States continued good during August, according to summaries from the 12 fed eral reserve districts made public tonight by the reserve board. Generally dis couraging reports were received from no district Extracts from the reports fol- low:
 Boston There is, it would appear, less hesitancy today than last month and buying in fair volume is again becoming after the past temporary lull or digestive period, yet it is still too early to ac- curately tell what the trend of business is going to be in the fall"
 New York: "The general industrial con dtion is practically unchanged An un- usually well sustained demand for manu- factured goods and raw materials has continued throughout the summer with but few signs of the ordinary lull over the inventory period and midyear sea- son. The course of business has been steadier since the reaction in commodity prices few months ago. Collections are better, and it is believed will be gen erally satisfactory as the season ad- vances."
 Philadelphia: General commercial and industrial conditions have shown no es- sential changes during recent weeks, op- erations being maintained at as high a rate as the hot weather ana shortage of labor and materials will permit Gen erally the situation reflects more activity than at usually dull period and both man ufacturers and merchants anticipate that it will continue during the fall and win ter months"
 Richmond: General business is much above the average, reports on conditions are cheerful and the outlook for the future regarded at least with com placency.'
 Atlanta: Although future prospects in this district are largely dependent upon the development of crops, August mas been prosperous month considering the usual midsummer dullness and there has been no marked cessation of gen. eral business activity
 Rains, the reports say, have retarded some caops
 
 to all lines of trade at this season, has been felt during the past 30 days. Busi- ness has, however, been normal and there is nothing unfavorable in the situation, except that in some sections of the dis trict lack of rain is causing alarm. Statistics show less unemployment and better wages obtaining than at any time sirce the beginning or the European war, and compared with the year immeorateIy prior to the war, conditions may be termed normal"
 Cleveland: Changes repeating busi- ness and agricultural conditions, insofar as being significant, are good compared with 30 days ago. Many who a month or two ago were rather uncertain of the future, now speak quite confidently Chicago: Excessive heat has been an excessive factor during the past month and its deterrent effect is evident. Fall business to a large extent depends upon the results of the crops and in this district when prices are considered, the farmers should receive a satisfactory re- turn, since the damage taking the dis trict as a whole does not appear to be great enough to offset the increased mar ket value of the products. Mercantile houses appear to be actively engaged" St. Louis: Sales and collections con- tinue satisfactory and increases are gen. orally reported. The outlook for fall business seems to DC enurely IaVOraDle Distribution of merchandise, both whole sale and retail. continues at high level" Minneapolis: Wholesale and retail business is active. Industrial lines are prosperous and labor is fully employed and in brisk demand at good wages. The district as a whole is prosperous and the present outlook is favorable Kansas City: Absence of rains in this district appears to have generally interfered with the previous favorable agricultural prospect. General >business, however, is said to continue good. A largo increase in the deposits in national banks is reported"
 San Francisco: Conditions in the main seem exceptionally favorable. Favorable weather during the past month has espe- cially benefited agricultural interests. The continuous development of Alaska is creating an important commerce terri tory in this district. Great activity in shipbuilding at Pacific coast ports is re-