Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-05
U. S. COMES INTACT
THROUGH BIG YEAR
Unprecedented Achievements Are
Recorded, with Billion Bushels
Of Wheat to Back Them.
ALL LINES OF TRADE PROSPER

Having emerged fundamentally intact
from the greatest crisis IN the worlds
history says Dun's review Of the years
trade of the country, this country has
with characteristic courage and fortitudc
met and overcome the most perploNing
and trying economic problems, and has
established ttself upon more solid
foundation than ever before. Since many
months were required for full adjust
ment 20 the extraordinary conditions
created by the war. for a considerable
period recovery from depression was
necessarily gradual and checkered but Of
late the barometer OF progress has risen
with continuity and rapidity seldom. II
ever, eaualed. Indeed, IN some respects
nothing in history parallels the recent
phenomenal expansion In national activi-
ties, and Il IL significant OF the existing
state OF the public mind that the advance
Is regarded as more than ephomeral.
Unprecedented Achievements.
Even the most cursory survey OF the
commercial world brings 10 light a num-
ber of achievements wholly lacking in
precedent. As a matter of fact II has
again become the custom 10 speak OF new
high records as something natural and
quite to be expected. while In several
Instances actual performances are out
stripping the most enthusiastic predic-
tions. All the traditional indices OF pros
perity are present: during October. for
the first time In the annals OF the coun-
try. output Of pig iron reached 20OO.OoO
tons: export trade, due largely. but not
wholly. 10 the magnitude and urgency
OF war demands. continues Of unmatched
proportions; bank clearings have touched
figures never attained and railroad earn
ings show a remarkable enhancement of
the earning power OF the common car
riers. with some leading systems report
ing maximum revenues. Moreover. con-
vincing evidence of the broadening con-
sumptive demands In many directions Is
found In the rise In Dun's index number
Of Wholesale commodity prices to the
highest level IN several decades. while
the statistics Of commercial failures re-
fleet a notable recovery from the strains
apparent during the early months OF the
year.
Billion Bushels of wheat.
With the exception Of the cotton in
dustry. the last year, the review says,
was the most successful In agriculture
In the history OF the country. For the
first time. Il points out. this country has
raised q billion bushels OF wheat.
The records show that In the produc-
ton OF iron and steel ali previous records
were broken.
Security values in Wall street recovered
naturally when an unprecedented crop
was raised ana Industry and commerce
were picking up correspondlngly.
The year 1915 was the most active in
the history OF the leather business, ac-
cording 70 the review. Prices advanced
to levels never before reached in the
memory OF those doing business today.
The boom IN the leather business, how
sver," the report says. was entirely
based on war orders.
The shoe factories also ran overtime
producing shoes. although freak styles
for time hampered trading to quite an
extent.
Monetary Conditions.
Touching monetary conditions. the re-
view says:
During another epochai year. the
United States has made unprecedented
strides toward a position OF internationa
Supremacy. not only in commerce, but
also IN finance Though economic events
IN the last twelve months presented
feweF sensational features that those
that followed the outbreak Of the greai
war. IN so far a. this country is con
cerned the developments Of 1915. unlike
those Of the last half OF 1914. were al
most entirely on the constructive side
Il hhs. indeed. been year in which
Amerscan enterprise. having fully recoV-
cred from the shock and strains OF the
world crisis. has extended over a wider
field and reached goals never before at
tained.
Summary fOr Year.
Following is 9 summarized table OF