West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-03-09
Reports OF Federal Reserve Agents
Just Made Public Show that Bus-
ineSs Conditions arc Good Over
the Entire Country-Seareity of
Labor is Being Felt

Generally good business conditions
throughout the country are reflected
IN reports OF Federal reserve agents
Just made public by the Federal re-
serve board. Growing scarcity of
raw materials used in many Ameri-
can Industries is noted, however, and
the southern agents predict an in
crease in cotton acreage this year un-
less steps are taken to prevent It.
The Boston district reports trade
generally In continued activity, with
the uncertainty as to the European
situation restraining undue expan-
sion Unrest of labor and increasing
cost OF raw materials, however, are
said to be disturbing factors.
From New York comes tho report
that there arc more products and
workers in this district, and that the
industrial activity there is OF record
character. Manufacturers OF automo-
piles, tools aud firearms and the roll
IN production. On account OF scarcity
OF raw materials. however, some
houses anticipate a shortage In mer-
chandiso stocks.
STEADY and substantial gain
throughout the Philadelphia district
in practically all lines OF business is
announced. Prices OF commodities
arc said TO bo rising and suppliea
scarce with labor hard to obtain aud
wages high. Lack OF dyestuns IL not
ed and raw materials are said to be
advancing in price. Steel mills and
shipyards continue busy.
General advances in wages and a
shortage OF labor are pointed out as
features OF the trade situation i'm the
Cleveland district. The labor short
age is said to be regarded as critical
IN several industries. The high level
OF business reported for January. the
report says, is being maintained.
The Richmond report describes
conditions throughout that district as
good, and points to railroad construc-
1ion, increased manufacturing and
hew credits extended to back up the
statement. The cotton acreage In the
district, tho report says, probably will
be slightly increased this year, but
the practice OF crop diyersincation
will not be abandoned.
Although February is said to be u.s.
ually a quiet month In the Atlanta dis
trlct, the report says there has been
very little lessenlng" OF business ac-
tivity.
Scarcity Of unnamed basic raw ma
terials, the Chicago agent says, are
receiving the earnest attention OF the
manufacturing industries dependent
on them. Reports from tho farming
section OF the district indicate a re-
duced wheat acreage this year, but
the farmers are said to have an In
creased purchasing power. The au-
tomobile industry is at q record pace.
there is a strong demand for live
stock and generally there is said to be
a feeling OF optimism.
St Louis reports a degree OF pros
Derity unknown for several years, but
with manufacturers reporting an in
crease In the cost Of raw materials.
Cold weather had retarded grain
shipments In the Minneapolis district
and TO considerable extent the Ium-
Der and Wholesale businesses. Car
shortage the report says, is causing
difficulties and the coal situation
at one time threatened to become SER
ious. Prospects for the spring are
called excellent.
Kansas city reports railroads taxed
beyond capacity owing largely to the
shipments Of last years grain. First
indications that the wheat crop 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 activity look for an unusual
Iy prosperous and busy year
Conditions in Mexico. tho Dallas
district reports, have stimulated bus
incss in all lines I'm the western sec
tion. particularly with mercantile
houses.
The weather has damaged the win
ter oat crop, and there Is said to be a
probability that this will lead to an
increase, estimated at 10 por cent Of
the cotton acreage over that OF last
year. unless active steps are taken to
prevent such an increase.
San Francisco reports there has
been little change IN conditions there.
Imports through that port for Janu-
ary exceeded all previous records By
}i3,O00.OO0. Seventy per cent OF this
was raw silk and WOOL
gad-Buf True