The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-03-05
GOOD BUSINESS
FROM FEDERAL
RESERVE BANK
OPTIMISTIC REPORTS COME FROM
EACH OF THEM-RAW MATER
lALs SCARCE. INCREASE IN COT.
TON ACREAGE PREDICTED.

Washington, March 4-Generally
good business conditions throughout
the country are reflected in reports Of
federal reserve agents made public to-
night by the federal reserve board.
Growing scarcity of raw materials
used in many American industries is
noted, however, and the southern
agents predict an increase in cotton
acreage this year unless steps are
taken to prevent it.
st. Louis reports a degree of pros
perity unknown for several years, but
with manufacturers reporting an in
crease in the cost of raw materials.
Kansas City reports railroads taxed
beyond capacity owing largely to ship
ments of last years grain. First indi-
cations that the wheat crops may have
been injured by the unusual weather of
the early part of the year have been
Offset by later and more encouraging
reports. Leaders in many lines of ac-
tivity look for an unusually prosperous
and busy year.
Conditions in Mexico, the Dallas dis
trict reports, have stimulated business
in all lines in the western section
particularly with mercantile houses.
The weather has damaged the winter
tharn i. ., 4,
probability that this will lead to an
increase estimated at Is per cent of
the cotton-sereage over that of last
year unless active steps are taken to
prevent such increase.
The Boston district reports trade
generally in continued activity, the un.
certainty as to the European situation
restraining undue expansion.
From New York comes the report
that there are more products and
workers in that district and that the
industrial activity there is of record
character.
Steady and substantial gains
throughout the Philadelphia district in
practically all lines of business is an
nounced.
General advances in wages and
shortage of labor are pointed out as
features of the trade situation in the
Cleveland district The high level of
business reported for January, the re.
port says, is being maintained.
The Richmond report describes con
ditions throughout that district as
good. The cotton acreage in the dis
trict, the report says, probably will be
slightly increased this year but the
practice of crop diversiication will
not be abandoned.
Although February is said to be usu-
ally quiet month in the Atlanta dis
trict, the report says there has been
little lessening of business activity.
Scarcity of unnamed basic raw ma
terials, the Chicago agent says, is re-
ceiying the earnest attention of manu-
featuring industries dependent on
them. Reports from the farming see
tion of the district indicate a reduced
wheat acreage this year, but the
farmers are said to have increased pur-
chasing power. The automobile indus
try is at a record pace, there is a
strong demand for livestock and gen
orally there is said to be a feeling OF
optimism.
Cold weather has retarded grain
shipments in the Minneapolis district
and to a considerable extent the lum-
ber and wholesale businesses. Pros
poets for the spring are called excel
lent.
San Francisco reports there has
been little change in conditions there.
Imports through that port for January
exceeded all previous records by $13,-
100000. Seventy per cent of this was
raw silk and wool