Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-11
NO CHECK 10 BUSINESS.

Business in nearly every line and
in all sections Of the country is going
ahead al full speed. The hating ten
the shadow Of the threatened railway
strike and the absence Of many thous-
ands of Labor Day vacationists, has
| been succeeded by activity. which
shows no sign of slackening. The
strength of the situation is reflected in
| the steady call from every section for
all classes of merchandise, even in
those districts where smaller crops
would ordinarily have resulted in more
or less depression, the demand being
maintained in remarkably heavy vol
ume by the exceptionally high prices
received for all kinds Of farm products.
Jobbers Of dry goods report that fall
trade is well above the average, emo
while buyers display a healthy con-
servatism in their operations, they APP
pear convinced that the prosperity Of
the people, due to steady employment
'"t scOu NdSOS, viii SiSul d pl ohtaDlc
outlet for their purchases, in spite Of
the advance in costs. Activity at tex
tile centers is still pronounced, and
more new business is being offered
than producers are able to accept
Most industries are running fur time
and Interruptions caused by labor
troubles have little noticeable effect.
The heavy consumption Of goods and
increasing retail distribution, due to
the growing purchasing power Of the
consuming public, all point to an UNI
usually large fail and winter trade.
Collections are generally satisfactory.
The crop outlook is causing some
concern. especially in the west, and
reductions in estimated yields are
looked for. Good premiums are al
ready being paid for cash wheat. but
the agricultural interest as whole
seems likely to end the year with
very Comforta bic returns. While the
principal food crops show a falling off,
a fair surplus of grains has been car
red over fro mthe phenomenal yield
Of last year, and, as a rule, higher
prices are more than compromising for
the reduced volume Of the harvests,
The demand for freight space is al
ready beginning to show signs of tax
ing transportation facilities.
That barometer of business. the
stock market. gave striking indica-
ton of the trend of trading sentiment
this week when steel common rose
above par for the first time in its his
tory, and stimulated activity all thrua
the list OF industrials. Railroad stocks,
however did not participate in the1
general advance to any marked degree
as there is still a feeling Of uncertain
ty as to the outcome Of the problems
raised by last weeks transportation
questions. While railroad earnings for
the end Of August in some cases
showed considerable comparative in
creases, these were overshadowed by
the showing Of indus:rials. Steel earn
ings were enormous, it being estimat
ed that those Of United States steel
alone were s33.O0O,0oo. Some sixteen
industrial concerns voted extra civi-
bends.
Dun's Chicago report says:
The sustained buying is a surprise
in the face of high costs and scarcity
of supplies. 1t is evident that the pur
chasing power expands, despite poor
crops. and the conditions steadily
favor the outlook for new enterprise
and investment. The markets for de-
sirahle securities reflect further recov-
cry in values. Money in its abundance
la sbeco1ie factor for sustained
progress and the discount rates lack
any hardening tendency, altho most
unlikely to go lower, there being as
surance Of ample employment Of loan
able funds during the fall and winter.
An encouraging feature appears in the
restored quiet in labor ranks, 1t being
essential for the necessary operations
that manufacturers have no more
trouble as to wording hours and
wages.