Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-01

| no means uncommon. Delivery prob
lems, however. still bulk large; at q
period when unchecked operations are
essential. producers arch andicapped by
the shortage of raw materials and OF
! skilled labor, by strikes at numerous
| points and by the transportation con-
gestion, which. tho less serious than
previously. continues source OF an
! noyance. 80
Practically all the industries are
running far behind on orders and while
in certain lines part of the output for
next year is already sold, In many
cases business is not now being booked
! that far ahead. In some branches,
nota bly, steel and leather, difficulties
in obtaining urgently needed supplies
increase rather than diminish, but in
! textiles the outlook Is improved by the
negotiations for the Importation of
large quantity of dyes from Germany.
1t is significant. as illustrating the
greater ability and disposition OF the
people to purchase. that retail dealings
are maintained in extensive volume,
notwithstanding adverse weather. The
backward spring has naturally re-
tarded distribution somewhat, but the
movement continues very full and gen.
eral merchandise buying indicates an
unusual advance selection Of fall and
winter goods. with more dealers taking
advantage of available discounts.
Local banking reserves have under
gone further depletion and money rates
are working slightly higher, but funds
are ample for all legitimate purposes
and nothing resembling stringency is
to be expected. That investors are
sharing in the present prosperity IS
shown by the increased and extra divi-
dend declarations, an dthe May dis
bursements will be s5.000,0o0 larger
than last year.
Detroit reports every automobile
factory crowded with orders. The open
ing of lake navigation has helped I"
relieve the congestion in finished bus
unshipped machines Office building
construction is active and residence
building is active. but housing IS in de-
mand and rents are % to so per cent
above normal. Lexington, KY reports
DRY goods, implements, seeds, horses
and mules active and retail trade above
normal. Louisville reports wholesale
trade ahead of last year, retail treoe
affected by cool weather and seeds
and implements active. Helena reports
new settlers in all parts OF the STATE
and sugar beet acreage will show
lareg increase. Chicago Reports lar
mers selling more freely OF grain.
Western railroads have had record
tonnage in the past six months. General
trade is large and promises to con-
tinunse so. Stocks of merchandise are
NOT large and some concrete Is being
substituted for steel. Duluth reports
big rush Of ore to the docks Tor snip
ment. ST. Louis reports trade actl'e
and some speculative buying evident.
Easter trade was heavy.
The grain crop situation IS Irregular
The season Is ten days 10 two weeks
late. and while winter wheat condl'
lions are good in the southwest, they
are poor in the central west. The plant
ing season is late in the northwest
where the soil is still too wet to plant
on low ground. A reduced yield OF
a,beat 10 certain. but lessened areas in
this grain are likely to be Offset by IN
creased areas Of oats. corn and barley.
Long desired dry. seasonable weather
10 renorted In late advfces. Cotton has
had a good start on an increased area