Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-28
,npusrRy Ano TRADE.

| Trade AZ well as industry Stll moves
at a brisk pace. prices continue to ad-
vance, deliveries of raw and finished
railway. traffic is congested, supplies
of money are plethoric. collections are
good and buyers OF some lines, fearing
insufficient supplies or still higher
prices have put out orders for fall de-
livery In brief. most producing units
of the country are choked with orders
and instead of seeking business for
| fa--off shipment, the tendency is to
move more slowly in this respect. There
is. however a disposition in parts OF
the country to proceed with caution. to
idly and to question the ability OF pur-
vsyors to obtain normal profits on final
selling prices. Whatever the cross cur
rents, the fact is that business every
where is active, far ahead OF that a
year ago, when things were looking up,
land the current situation is one which
sees country merchants stocking up,
! road orders of satisfactory volume.
house trade still maintained at q high
notch. mail order business excellent.
good demand on jobbers. large whole
sale trade and a broadening out of re-
tail trade in sections where warmer
wea Their has prevailed. Indeed, il is
confidently expected that results for
February will show the month to have
been more active than January. with
distribution of various kinds of goods
probably exceeding past records.
1t is true that production of certain
Manufactured articles has been greatly
handicapped. il not reduced, by inabil-
ity to get raw material either because
of congested railway traffic or because
OF insufficient outputs, but these de-
velopments are directly traceable to the
fruits Of prosperity. Shipments of
were it not for lack of cars, and scar
city of steel hampers car builders in
the west. Western roads complain
that eastern lines are holding their
cars. Labor is exacting. strikes are
numerous. and with additional indus
trial plants going ZIP. the coming spring
promises further shortage.
Cotton goods demand Is broad and
active. whoolen dress goods are selling
freely and mems wear goods are active
as rarely before Dress goods agentg
are already allottng quantities for
fall delivery to regular customers.
Trade in lumber. hardware, automo-
biles. fuel and lubricating oils. drugs
groceries, rubber goods. footwear and
clothing is good. and foreign trade in
lumber promises 20 assume conspicu-
Gus proportions
Early reports on winter wheat are ir-
regular. with the evidence of reduc-
ton in acreage clear but facts as to
condition are not sufficiently tangible
10 furnish a line on the damage
wrought by freezing 1t is. however,
stated that insect damage in the south
west has been light. and that crop Kill
ing reports emanating from specula-
tors are without the sanction OF fact.
especially al this early date.
Country banks are lending money in
Chicago. trust companies in the south
west have cut off interest os small de-
posts, and bank clearings exceed those
OF one and two years ago and in Feb
ruary Of 1915 there was heavy corpor-
ate financing, with large foreign buy
ing of Americas goods
Bradstreet's reports from different
business centers ALI over the country
show marked Improvement and re-
newed confidence in the future. From
nearby points all reports are optimistic
thus:
ST. Paul reports wholesale trade in
all lines ahead OF a year ago. and bet
ter is expected when weather condi-
tons. which affect shipping and travel
ing. are better. Minneapolis REPORTS
good demand for footwear, considerable
wheat being held, thus showing COL
Iections. and -four production declining
on lessened export trade. Milwaukee
reports wholesale trade active. manu-
featuring on fun time. retail active but
collections slow. Dubuque reports Dusi-
ness improving, collections good, manu-
featuring active and brisk building
season expected. One million dollars
worth OF automobiles are on exhibition
at the Grand Rapids annual show.
Manufacturing and jobbing and retail
trade are all active. Paper manufac-
turers say rags and other raw ma te-
rails are scarce. Omaha reports trade
ahead of last year: house trade Is
heavy. warmer weather has increased
farm implement shipments and cars
for wheat are scarce.
709IpS IF fha T;-