New-York tribune., 1916-07-03
Industries Are Crowded
Crops GOOd-LabOr De-
mand Boosts Wages.
MUNITION MAKERS
FORESEE WARS END
Fear of Disastrous Effects After
Peace Comes Now Believed
UnWarranted.

ness conditions continue good and the
outlook for next month is excellent,
according TO official reports Of the
Federal Reserve Board, made public
tonight in the boards monthly state
ment.
Crops are reported better than nor
NAL in most sections, industries are
said to be working to capacity, and
further increases are noted in build
ing construction. From nearly every
Reserve district there is a call for
more labor, with wages mounting.
In the Boston district buying has
been exceptionally heavy, and manu-
facturers are months behind their or.
dors. The boot and shoe industry is
most prosperous, cotton mills are run
ming overtime. and the drygoods bust
ness is better than year ago.
Signs Resssuring.
New York reports reassuring signs
Of a needed change to g more conser-
vative outlook In commerce. industry
and banking
The production Of pig Iron for May
was 8,25l,07 tons, a new high record.
Freight congestion has been somewhat
relieved by an increase in the space
available for ordinary merchandise on
ocean steamers, and the figures Of
foreign trade for the four weeks end
ed June II show a large increase, both
in exports and imports.
A uniformly favorable condition in
all departments of trade and industry
is reported from the Philadelphia dis
trict. where manufacturers are com
planning of a shortage of labor, par
tcularly female labor for mill work.
Coal mines are working at IS per cent
capacity.
"Some Of tho munition plants are an
ticpating the end OF the war and max
ing plans TO manufacture commodities
for use in times Of peace the report
continues, adding 10 the growing feel
ing that the end Of the war will not
have the disastrous effects on the in
dustrles which somo interests feared"
Cleveland District.
The steel situation in the Cleveland
district is said to be virtually un-
changed, but the movement OF iron ore
into the lower lake ports promises TO
make a new yearly record. Automobile
and rubber factories are doing an en-
ormous business, and mercantile trade
is active. Shortage Of labor has han
dicapped the coal industry.
The Richmond report says that In
spite Of cold and dry weather market
gardening along the seaboard is in a
better comparative condition than for
several years, cotton mills are running
on full time, collections are satisfac-
tory and the demand for labor is in
excess of the supply.
Money is plentiful in the Atlanta
district and cotton conditions are
favorable. although the fields are in
need Of sunshine. The corn crop is the
best in years.
There is no perceptible decrease In
business in the Chicago district, where
labor is well employed and a number
in the larger centres still have excess
funds, but n demand is growing which
has strengthened rates and a stronger
money market is expected. Cold, wet
weather has delayed corn planting, but
good growing weather will insure a
satisfactory crop.
St. Louis District.
Hardware, boots and shoes. drygoods
and allied industries all show gains in
the ST. Louis district, and railroad
earnings are increased, both net and
gross, with labor conditions not as un-
settled as they have been.
Minneapolis reports all small grains
in excellent condition, though corn is
making slow progress. Trade condi-
tions are described as active.
A growing unrest in labor campaigns
is reported from Kansas City. Building
operations have been especially ham
pered, and there is serious shortage
of harvest hands. Kansas alone must
import $4,000 men.
In a considerable portion of the
Southwest crop conditions are unfa-
vorable, says the report from Dallas,
Tex. Il is estimated that IS per cent
Of the farms have not been planted, or
will have TO be replanted. Most stock
men are shipping their cattle away for
pasturage.
Wine grape growers in the San Fran
cisco district are being offered the
highest prices in eight years, and pack
ers Of dried fruit are paying record
prices. Mining has been the most prof
table industry. The production of pc