The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-11-03
REPORT ISSUED
TODAY SHOWS
CONTINUED from page onA)


High and increasing cost of every
thing used in manufacturing, raw ma
terals of practically every kind
scarce; any special demand raising
prices at once. Manufacturers eau
tious about making future contracts
until they are assured of materials,
causing jobbers, retailers and even
consumers to stock up before prices
advance further.
New York.
Despite high prices. remarkable
activity continues in most business
lines, with general tendency toward
further expansion; manufacturers be-
ing unable to keep pace with their
orders and handicapped by labor
shortage and other deterrent. Whole
sale and retail business stimulated by
seasonable weather; some conserva-
tism in wholesale buying for next
spring.
Philadelphia.
Unprecedentedly good business
conditions, only complaint being
scarcity of materials and shortage and
high wages of labor. Retailers pre-
pairing for heaviest Christmas trade in
their experience. Manufacturers in all
lines extremely busy. Wholesalers re-
port liberal volume Of orders for fall
and winter commodities.
Cleveland.
Activity in nearly all lines of busi-
ness "On a scale the greatest ever
experienced"
Car shortage causing delays in
industrial work. Retail trade given
impetus by cold weather and sales in
larger centers show estimated IL per
cent over previous maximum at this
period. Workers being brought in
from other sections to relieve labor
shortage.
Richmond.
Situation generally satisfactory ex-
cept for occasional adverse reports and
unfavorable conditions in one or two
localities affected by flood and weather
conditions, High prices of crops
bring many comments as to high cost
of living and expressions of serious
doubt as to how labor is to support
itself notwithstanding high wages"
General activity in every business
line and outlook bright.
Atlanta.
All lines of industry report extra
ordinary bright prospects for autumn
and winter trade. Labor conditions
satisfactory despite some disturbances.
Business strong in retail and whole
sale lines, some difficulty being expert
enced in securing goods. Car shortage
causing fear of shut down of many
plants.
Chicago.
Continued business activity in all
lines, ample bank funds for all legiti-
mate demands, low interest rates.
Rising cost of raw materials may cut
into manufacturers earnings. Excel
lent fall trade anticipated in every
line, with shortage of certain materials
increasingly evident. Some complaints
of lack Of car facilities and deficiency
of labor.
ST. Louis.
Industries and business generally
| report best business in years with
sound financial conditions. Crops
spotted, but prices off-setting effects
OF bad spots. Building industry is only
| one not seeming to be at high tide
High prices of goods mot yet reached
| point where purchasers hesitate to
| buy wheat they desire in either
necessities or luxuries.''
Minneapolis.
Retail trade favorable and whole
sale and distributing lines enjoying
brisk business Industrial concerns
producing on large scale, labor fully
employed at good wages. Business
outlook bright leading business men
| believing that high prices of farm
productsare satisfactorily offsetting re-
! duction in grain yield and potato
! crop.
Kansas City.
Unabated business activity; high
prices offsetting reduced agricultural
production. Wholesalers, retailers
| jobbers and manufacturers working to
capacity. General shortage of labor
Many voluntary concessions reported
as coming from employers with some
concern expressed over the future
when the present abnormal conditions
| have passed"
Dallas.
Conditions continue satisfactory,
heavy wholesale and retail buying
good collections, exceedingly satisfac-
tory fall trade. High prices for in
| creased volume Of agricultural
commodities. Bankers, particularly ir
| cotton sections, report unprecedented
deposits. Reports. however, show
advance in prices of necessities being
seriously felt without appreciable in
crease in wages. Car shortage problem
| serious.
San Francisco.
/ Business condition and outlook good
except for inactivity here and there
as in numbering and real estate. Ma
| tional and state banks show sub
1 stantial gains in deposits and loans
| Acute shortage of cars. Bank clear
| ings and railroad receipts and in con.
1 struction and building, large increase.
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