Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-20
the GENERAL BUSINESS FIELD.

IHE GENERAL BUSINESS FIELD.
"Only by the use Of superlatives car
existing commercial and industrial
conditions be adequately described
says Duns' Review. Great as are the
gains shown by bank clearings. iror
output, untitled steel tonnage and
similar induces, mere statistical records
no longer fully reflect a situation 70,
which there is no precedent
In some branches and sections the
volume Of business has reached such
vast proportions that further expan-
sion Is dependent upon increased
facilities for both production and dis
tribution. Manufacturers in steel, in
textiles and in other lines are re-
jecttng additional contracts, which
they can not handle, either because
capacity is already booked far anead,
or thru inability to obtain necessary
raw materials. The most remarkable
feature is the magnitude Of the cur
rent demand, in spite of prices that
would ordinarily check it, urgent re-
quests continuing to be made for i'm
mediate deliveries of leather, foot
Wear, dry goods, ana especially OF steel
products. Probably never before have
the requirements for actual use con-
trolled prices with so little specula-
ton to anticipate higher markets.
Some interests in the steel industry
have withdrawn quotations entirely in
order to check the influx of orders
which can not be filed for months to
come, while in textiles, cases are cited
where statesmen are being brought in
from the road or are instructed to ac-
cept new business only within certain
limitations. Efforts to meet the extra
ordinary demands call for more ma
chinery, more manufacturing plants,
more stores and greater facilities for
transportation. as well as for an in
creased number of workers.
But at a time when the producing
and distributing forces Of the coun-
try should be running most smoothly
there is complaint Of a scarcity OF
competent hands, of annoying labor
troubles and of the inability OF the
railroads to make perceptible Roadway
in relieving the freight congestion.
ar shortages-common enough during
the crop-moving, but unusual at this
season-testify to the great rush Of
traffic, and the problems Of the trans
porting interests are aggravated by
continued storms, which have also in
terfered with tense communication.
No single division Of the textile
markets has monopoly Of good trade
nearly every branch phenomenal &C.
tivity. With consumption Of mer-
chandise steadily growing, production
is carried on to the limit OF capacity
and overtime rs in force wherever
labor conditions permit. Distribution
at wholesale is much larger than al
this season in recent years, but the re.
strictions in delivery. due to transpor.
tation difficulties. are a handicap in al
sections of the country. Further price
advances are numerous and it is thu
rather general opinion that the ores
has not yet been reached.
Buyers Of footwear are still anxious
to place new contracts, but manufac
turers have a large accumulation o
untitled orders and are not activel!
seeking additional business. All fac
tories in the east are running full, ex
cept in cases where operations ar
checked thru inability to secure suffi
cient quantities Of leather. The latte
commodity has had a remarkable rise
some varieties being IS to 20 cent
higher than a year ago. but successive
advances fail to check the deman'
from footwear producers, who NEE
the figures with a readiness that !
surprising.
Reports Of activity come from al
points. Bradstrects reports that:
Chicago reports that Norway is in
curing for $1,000, 900 worth Of genera
machinery and that the government
buying motor trucks for use in Mexico
St. Louis says activity In business
more pronounced than it was q mont
ago, that manufacturers report recor
orders and that railroads are dom
we'll, thanks to the heavy tonnage
first class merchandise. At Cincinnati
retail trade exceeds by 20 per cent tn
turnover at this season one and tw
Years ago. Stocks of dry goods
motions ad Louse- furnishings are 10y
and hard to replace, and jobbers do no
find 1t difficult to make sales. At Teri
Haute distilleries are running to capa
city. Heavy bank deposits are re
ported by Pittsburgh; Detroit, as we
as hicago, says they are OF record pro
portions, and the Michigan city say
any who care for work may have /
Colorado's steel mills. according to ou
Denver correspondent, are running
full capacity. Butte mines, says on
report from Helena, paid out reccr
wages to miners during February. viz
Isl, 800, 900, and the Chicago. Miiwauke
& st. Paul Railroad Company wi
spend 100000 for relaying track
Oakland says shipments Of iron
South America are heavy. Portland
lore, notes the receipt OF one ordt
lcalling for 100000 cases OF salmon
shipment to made to Europe. Dubu
!que reports q large Increase In d.