davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
Middle West Buying Goods
Heavily - Crops Great
Factor in Upturn.

Chicago, Dec. 3i.-Busncss In this
city in tho last especially during
its lattor half has been exceptionally
good in almost all lines. in many
breaking all previous records. Every
observer looks not only for a contin-
uancc Of this condition, but for dis
tinct improvement during 1916, despite
the European war and the fact that II
will be year with "A Presidential cleo
ton.
improvement gained IN momentum
until May, when the Lusitania disaster
for while checked the upturn, and
even then was widespread through the
Middle West. With the passing Of this
fear, conditions again improved, and,
beginning in August, "A distinct boom
was in evidence, which gained strength
in astonishing proportions.
The last bank call Of l9l5-that or
November showed deposits in Chicago
banks aggregating Sl.l54,67l,00o, as
against 5000 $4,000 for the last call
OF 1914. an increase Of approximately
% per cent; loans of s7l9,4l4,O0O, as
against s6s5,A35,000 in 1914, an in
crease Of approximately D per cent,
and cash resources of 1897 $4,000, as
against 1921 ,9i4,0 in 1914, an in
crease Of approximately 80 per cent.
Banks here find it difficult TO find
avenues OF profitable investment,
nearly all stable business concerns
being we'll and amply financed. TINS
il indicated by the further fact that
high grade commercial paper IL IN
great demand at interest rates rang
ing from 3 to AZ per cent, as agalhSSO
a rate Of from 70 per cent prevail
s .tst.tl 10
call loans command from to per
cent. az against from TO 7 per cent
last year. Ill.
The wears last review Of the whole,
salc drvgoods situation by Marshal
Field & Co. SAYS: Current wholesale
die,ribution shows marked advance
over the corresponding period OF n
voar ago" II also notes large IN
crease in road. mail and telegraphic
orders and OF the number OF customers
in the market. and says the retail dfy
Goods business throughout the west
Jurino the holidays was exceptional
with orders for spring delivery sho"
inc an enormous increase, couecuonS
above normal and prices firm.
The Chicago holiday business was
the greatest in history, a conseIFa'.,e
estimate putting IT at over s6s'ooo'ooV'
against s5l.O0o,O0O last year. -,
Much Of Chicago's prosperity OF
course comes from the enormous crops
of the year and the high prices, whlca when
tbev brought. The cattle and meat
trode was far above normal during the
wear. and Chicago's position ss tng
leading packing centre Of the woria
caused il 10 reap large beneht from
this fact. Too.
to, but II is the general opinion that
tho hulk Of the prosperity OF Chicago
and the Middle West was due more 20
normal causes. The Middle west Is
buying heavily. and this section can can
scc nothing but continuous ana IN
creasing prosperity for 1916.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
FREDERIC G.. LEE. President Broad
way Trust Company:


We are living in wonderful times and
the end cannot be foretold it looks
-o me like a new era. How the war
ring nations are to find new sources
of taxation 10 pay the interest and
amortization on the enormous increase
IN their debts is hard TO imagine No'
trst / doubt the security OF me eA-
torral debt. as II ~ a very sInaA per
.ceptal,e Of the whole and the CeDtoIS
are leading commercial nations deailhg
with the entire world. ....
This country has been the beneficiary
of the war and trade ~ al Hhes mas
becn greatly stimulated. me sun -
shining here ard We are making nay;
The tremendous imports OF goa Hhu
tbo oDoration Of the Federal Reserve
act have united to increase the roaming
mower Of the financial institutions OF
tL,s conntrv TO an extent heretofore
undreamed Of. and money is the cheap
OF IN fact the only cheap, commodity
in the country. 800, 90
With All our prosperity We seem 70
no lost friends among ell the war
No oovcrs. and therefore the cau Ior
-,cnaredness. This seems inevitable,
but / regret il, as preparednesS Is Gu
INITIATIVE been so IN al mlllVdrS
co r'1' One year it is 100000 sol
6;o,a the next more. and so on ana
how with boat wants TO sail It.
The financial weather IS very me me
o,.1,. bore and consequently we are all
,co,ntcd TO make excursions ID ne" anu any
,,rLroo-, waters. but l feel that WIN
tbo groat storm blowing in Europe, the
and If which is not in sight II IS me
mart of wisdom not to get too Tar from
.Lnwa
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
l.. +. JOHNSON. president Norfolk <
Mcatcrn Railfnnd COMPANY:

Speaking generally, the business OF
railroads started off badly for tho cal
endar year just closed, and many Of
them had hard shedding. Gradually at
first, and later with rush, relief came
TO those roads handling war munitions
and raw material entering into their
manufacture.
The good agricultural crops and bet
ter conditions in the coal. iron and
lumber trades have had benign iniiu-
encc upon results of the last six
months. The purchasing power OF the
South was greatly curtailed by low
prices for cotton, but that situation
has much improved, and the roads most
directly affected have, by rigid econ
omy. weathcrcd the storm.
The increased business during the
last half year as ] see II, Is not due
entirely TO the war Much OF II was
expected 10 matcrialze even If the
world were az peace. feel that the
outlook for business for 1916 Is good.
and should be very good II railroads
continue 10 purchase needed equipment
and supplies.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
PITTSBURGH SEES
R0SEATE OUTLOOK
Steady in Tariff Depression
Now at Capacity.
rspcciu Correspondence q, The r-.bar

rspcci, Correspondence ~ The rrihun,
Pittsburgh. Dec. 81 Stesdiness here
December 81, 1914, under the new tariff
made depression is followed at this
year end by. the most roseate outlook.
financial and industrial. this commu-
nifty has ever known. There were no
failures of consequence here in 1915,
though both the stock market CLOSED
for a time) and the mills and factories
suffered from about the worst depres-
sion in the history Of modern Pitts
burgh. The full brunt Of the Under
wood tariff hit Pittsburgh first and
hardest. Into the gap fitted the first
rush Of war orders. and now, as the
year ends. with mills and factories
operating 20 full capacity, Pittsburgh
would readily sheive the war orders
20 handle the great and increasing vol
umc Of domestic business.
Many Pittsburgh concerns making
equipment for other plants. such as
rolling mills, have closed their order
books for 1915
Labor Is fully employed. stores are
busy, banks bullying with wealth TO
.oan at fair interest rates and every
one is an optimist. The war IN Europe.
it is felt, has been largely discounted
mere.
Car shortage is tAe principal com
plant, and az the end of ,he year the
car shortage situation, in the face OF
industries producing at full capacity,
is acute.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
=. Il. THOMAS, president Lehigh Val
lev Railroad Company:

The railroad outlook for 1916 Is "a
cieicpl+ one about which 90 prophecy.
Fvarvthj0C depends on the situation
abroad IL the war continues u ls
highly probable the present lever ~
roiIroad earnings viii be maintained,
bu. If the coming year sees cessation
of hostilit.es we must lace general
resd;u-tment. which may cause a con
siderable reduction. Much will then
depend on the general situation IN TINS.
country; particularly much viii depend
ON the treatment the railroads receive
from the legislative and regulating
bodies. ......
I doub. & ret earnings can continue
20 show increases as they have done
recently. We have been favored IN the,
present rush Of business b. backward
autumn. with the heavy trafic an In
crease in transportation costs is Ger
tain in seasonable weather.
Constructive legislation certainly is
calculated to follow the work OF g
commission along the lines suggested
bv President Wilson in his recent mes
sage. 4 careful inquiry into the tctiF-
itics OF state and national regulating
bodies. / believe, VIII reveal them En-
Gagged largely in petty matters Whieh,
NUIIo faIllQU 70 give JIG pun
service or more safety, tend only 20
hamper the railroads, add great sums
70 their cost of operation and MAKE
new financing for them exceedingly
difficult. The most constructive WORK
nossible would be curbing Of these
widespread activities. the introduction
of system in the handling o. sucn mat
ters as must. naturally, come before
such bodies. and the adoption OF plan
which would insure enough action IN
tbe various states, at the same tinle
nrotecting the railroads from the petty
sttacks from which they have suffered
50 severely in recent years. g.,
The railroads Of the country have
faced an unusual situation in the las
lew months. I believe every one Of
them is striving TO keep abreast WIN
the country's transportation demands
Their efforts have been greatly. nan uI,
canned by the repressive regulation anu
legislation they have had TO undergo
in recent years, which has 80 seriously
impaired their credit ss TO make hna 80,
mo TO cover improvements most am
cult.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
BALTIMORE NOT YET
AT NORMAL LEVELS
War Business Accounts for
Most of Recovery Noted Here.

Special Corrcsp1rlence Of The Tribune
Baltimore, Dec. 31.-Business. both
commercial and financial. has been bet
ter in Baltimore the last half of the
year than il was the first half or the
last six months of 1914, but I is still
subnormaL The holiday trade has been
larger and the department stores and
big retail dry goods and general home
furnishing concerns report zig bust
ness.
Employment al extra time % thou
sands of workmen in munition manu-
featuring plants has immensely IN
creased the amount of money in week
" circulation and stimulated retail
trade. Merchants attribute most Of the
increased business TO the money flow
ing in from war contracts.
Every kind of manufacturing indus
try that can obtain war orders has
gone into that business. Several Of the
largest shirt and overall manufacturing
concerns in the country located here
are loaded up with war orders for
shirts and underwear for British,
French and Russian soldiers. These
increased orders have meant employ
ment of more hands and increased pay
rolls have put money IN circulation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
NEWMAN ERB, President Minneapolis
g. St Louis Railroad Company:

We are being me. at tho threshold OF
the new year with the welcoming manu-
Of UNPRECEDENTED prosperity, .ts per
fqcatirg irHucucc NitalZrg INTO actlF..
it,. every industry. every calling and all
cmnIovrout: blessed with abundant
barvcsts. with short crop prices, IN
dustries working 20 capacity. with war
Dricos for their output. and business
stimulated by an addition 20 our actu-
al financial assets Of over S2,OOOOVV,-
coo within a period OF twelve months,
OF which nearly $4,000, 100000 is m goId
coin.
marks for our future guidance under
the unusual circumstances, but we may
fairly conclude that 1916 will be for
US a year Of marked prosperity u.
which the transportation Industry VIII
fully share.
TIE railroads Of the country have
no. generally during several years past
made normal expenditures Tor renew
ais. requirements and betterments. ms
deficiency they will now be able 10 cor
rect
The resulting added disbursements
for labor. supplies and equipmen. for
1919 may conscrvatively be estimated
at over $500 100000. Let us, however.
not forget that prosperity is forced
upon uuon us by normal processes ana
IS I'm no way duo TO any rectiIcatlon
of the fundamental conditions which
brought the railroads, our industries
and general business 20 the verge OF
disaster less than eighteen months ago.
Whether We shall again be confront
cd with serious business recession,
have our railroad credits impaired
without ability 20 make . fair return
upon capital invested, will depend upon
whather conservative statesmanship,
prudent financial management and WISE
and enlightened popular opinion SHAH
properly prepare US for the normal FAC
tors upon which, after all, enduring
rrnsneritH alone can rest.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
GREAT FOREIGN TRADE
AIDS NEW ORLEANS
Port Development Has Brought
Much New Business.

Al ID
>.ev Orleans. Dec. %. New Orleans
win enter the now year with the NOS
optimistic spirit. perhaps, that ever mas
characterized the city. Inc l"elF
months lust past have marked lts III u
ontry into the field OF modern. business
ms one of the great ports OF the Wotlq
and ne "A place that can compare wen
with the great industrial ports OF inc
Old World. s., 49,.
owned cotton warehouses has oeeh tne
chief event Of the year. These are
said to be without a peer IN LIyerp ,o,,.
Hamburg. or any other European city
Thev have diverted and are diyertlng
20 New Orleans a vast amount OF U"o
Southern cotton business.
During the past year, New orleans
has been made the chief entrepot ior
beneouin. This means that the enor-
mons sisal grass industry from ucatah
will come here In addition, big com
modi.v and coffee warehouses are 10 De
erected and are expected 20 conceh-
trate import and export business mere
still further Grain exports Tor Eu-
rome. through the local port have oeen
enormous during the last few months!
although no hope was entertained OF
egualling the record made during the
carly months of the European war.
New Orleans still asserts she mas
moro than the right 20 claim 10 be the
second por, in the country. THIS claim
il backed by recent government hgures'
which count both imports and exports.
Bank clearirgs for the year VIII snow
a figure higher than any previously AT
tanned. Department, drygoods and no
ton stores are unanimous IN saylns
the wear has been the best they nave
experienced. Crops. including sugar
rice and truck. have been very good.
The city and surrounding territory
suffered enormous loss in the hurrl-
cane of September %. but apparently
This has been more than Offset By the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
MORTGAGE CONDITIONS.
4. HURD. President Mort'
o,oe and Bond Company:

During the past year rentals ana WI
,os IN the South and West have been
materially reduced, but the previous
prosperous condition of real estate IN
those sections of the country has
caused ay the present drop in values TO
Saye very slight effect on the mortgage
IL The South. since the early spring,
.o,ditioDs have improved steadily, ana
~, e,o now better than at any time
since the beginning of the war
IN citics Of the Middle West real es-
.oto conditions have kept about normal.
In the Pacific Northwest the improve
mont felt throughout tho rest OF the
country has not yet shown l'selI' aho
rentals are lower than they nave oeeh
for some years past.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
p n HURD, President Lawyers Mort
GAGE Company:

The best that can be SAID ABOUT 'he
- ,o15 from the standpoint OF real
ostate interests in New York - that
-. .~.i..oseed the turn Of the tide from
~ ~, ears of liquidation 10 an up
' ,ne io ne6r;od OF recuperation.
I'll; Tbore are only sporadic instances OF
b;db myiJ nrices for New York real estate estate
n,s net I but the psychological condition
as Sei' a DS the tone is stronger and
mas mas C are beginninc TO realize that lot
men M o a., oits3e is cheap, is going 10 com,
' o. Ia l. isber rents and is going TO sell
MANI !" The vast increase of money in
n 8t.n yort due to prosperous times Is
f nr~ - interest rates down, so that that
I ,oa1v investors are now lending at Az
nnr cont instead OF 8 pei eenL
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
By HENRY {. SWORDS, President
fulton Trust Company:


Inc year 1915 has been distinguished
BENG more or less the opposite OF
i IN 1914 we had high money and
sa'csy conditions, owing 70 the decla-
s"on Of war about the first Of August.
.,aay things had 20 be tided over. In
words OF the hymn, Change and
lay 10 all around / see" In the year
81. we emerged into boom, owing
one selling Of munitions Of war
r'oad and large imports Of gold.
ray has been easy and speculations
,'. spccIaltics quite rampant.
nave been able 20 sell all sorts or
nom mules to munitions 20 our
,,'4s and have had the pleasure OF
., pSIhg our enemies without having
SN' them. Exactly how we will
t'll with our friends and enemies
10y, 'he war IS over remains 10 be
.,. a. We want o keep out of the
Geo. me Quaker doctrine Of non-re-
-."De may result in our having 20
a. = up some OF these days, as II looks
goi5 we VIII be the richest country in
,s....'n we world after the war. Every
h, looks very favorable for 1916 if
Itt"Q eliminate the war.
1.-Two abroad must be very unattrac-
vb;.t 'emlnding one Of the remark
ers' was attributed 70 a great gem
bo-Ib . n1W deceased, that II he owned
i've PAGES he would rent Texas and
% ,ba nell We apologize TO Texas
great. present day, as IL must have
Or mo-. improved since the fifty years
vas ss.S ago when the above remark
Tl,a'a 10 have been made.)
ne question IS being asked. How IS
10, ~ 'ley market and the labor mar
Ssr.d' "'o''d "hen peace is de-
hey me never had conditions a.
lea, are az the present time with
''S the whole world al waT. / do
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04

not know Of anybody who can say Just
what is going 20 happen when the war
is over. Most people talk M they are
interested. They predict what they
want.
The following is worthy Of attention
and may in time have its effect on the
money market:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
Prosperity Reported
Throughout Country

splendid advertising given New Orleans
by the way she wthstood the greatest
storm In the official records OF the
Western Hemisphere.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
r VI. SCHUMACHER, vice-presiden'
Ell Paso & Southwestern Company
and formerly chairman Rock ISLAND
COnpany:


Thu yoar iust ended has been most
nroii6c of changing situations and
on. conditions. If we profit by one
matter of the experiences which we
Sevo cone through and are gong
Lro,cb we will come out very much
benefited country.
A. railroad man feel we have run
the full line. In January last all car
riers were operating with expenses cut
"a the bone In an endeavor TO MAKE
ovnenses proportionate 20 declining rev
enucs. With the approach OF sprlnG
conditions improved. and through me
evnmer and into the fall the tremen-
dous crops brought condition OF pros
norit, that we had not known for
Considerable period. The closing OF
Tho Panama Canal. the increased ton
mace due 10 the awakening OF all Dusi-
noes and war orders suddenly threW
unon the carriers volume OF traiiic
which they were. after two lean years,
nnnrepared 20 handle. II il argued
that this condition Is most unusual
and will not recur. ! am OF the DeIlel
tbat we will experience from now on,
barring serious labor difficulties,
condition Of prosperity which VIII tax
our transportation facilities TO the Ut
most.
The question is properly asked as TO
why the railroads of the country are
not able TO handle promptly and effi-
ciently the business now offered. One
of the most d iiicult duties OF an exec
utive officer OF a railroad IS the con
sideration OF requests from operating
and traffic men for funds for mainte-
nance. additions and bettermentS. The
defects Of his line arc being continually
pointed out TO him by his own men and
by others directly or indirectly inter
estod. With the small amount Of funds
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
OPPORTUNITY AT
AMERICAS DOOR
Continued from page II.

Us hope that 1916 will bring 10
people more happiness and pros
city than any year OF our history.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
4. II. SMITH. president New York
trail Railroad Company:

During the year 1915 the increase
I'm volume Of business. of which the
nucleus. az least. was orders for eN-
mort material for Europe, helped the
earnings of the railroads. particularly
those TO the Eastern scaboard from the
interior The reports from the manu-
facturers and the general demand IN
dicate that this volume will extend
wei into 1916.
While the outlook for business is
thus favorable the railroads viii do
well II the service is adequately main
tanned. in view Of the somewhat I'M
paired condition Of ocean Transports
tion and the need for additional facii-
tiles. and provided they 80 through
1915 without some more or less diff
cult problems peculiar TO our indus
trial and political situation.
In times of peak load il requires the
co6peration Of all the factors m the
transportation problem namely. iacll-
tiles ito provide which credit is nee
essary), management, service and reg
ulation in q harmonious manner IN
order that the channels Of commerce
may be most favorable TO the demand.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04
Outlook Is for Splendid
Earnings to Continue
Well Into 1916.
ROADS WILL HAVE TO
IMPROVE FACILITIES
Executives Looking TO Federal
Government to Put Curb on
Illogical Regulation.

Heads of The great railroad sys-
TENS Of the country look forward to
1916 as to a year Of bright promise.
Earnings give indication Of keeping
up their remarkable increases, though
with n continuance of the European
war a matter Of uncertainty, the
railroad presidents are naturally
cautious in making predictions.
Practically all are agreed that n
curbing of indiscriminate regula-
ton of the railroads by forty-nine
state and Federal commissions is n
contamination devoutly to he wished.
While the general outlook is for
good earnings. based on the expand
ing industry Of the country, many
of the railroad executives speak of
the necessity of improving tranSpOr-
tation facilities. if full advantage
is to be taken Of the traffic that is
being so abundantly offered
There is some difference Of opinion
as to what would happen to railroad
traffic if the war should have an
early termination In general, how
ever. it is believed that 1916 is TO
be one of the best years for the rail
roads that have ever been known.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04

Clearing House Members Loans.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-07-14
FOREIGN TRADE SHOWS A
VERY LARGE INCREASE

A recent press dispatch from Wash
ingfton says the country's foreign
trade during the fiscal year with last
month reached total of $6,505, 900, 900,
exceeding by many millions all prev
icus records, according to preliminary
figures just published in bulletin
by the department of commerce. Ex-
ports were valued at $4,345, 100000 and
imports at $2,1SO,OOO,OoO. The figures
are based on complete returns for the
first eleven months of the year and
estimates for June. The war NUM-
lions trade was the dominating feature
in establishing the new record. Raw
cotton exported during the fiscal year
was valued at $37O,OOO,OOO, compared
to 1916, 100000 the year previous.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-07-14
Indian Spring Holiness Camp
Ground Meeting On August 10

Rev. ]. M. Glenn, secretary of the
Indian Spring Holiness Camp ground,
is sending out an attractive announce
ment of the twenty-sixth meeting of
this famous religious gathering. 1t be-
gins this year, Thursday night, Aug
ust 10th. and closes Sunday night, the
goth.
The camp ground is situated on a
choice tract of eighty-five acres in the
hills of Butts county, Georgia on the
Flovilla and Indian Spring railroad,
Just one mile from the celebrated In
dian Spring. The life-giving proper
ties of the water. the high altitude
which renders it free from malaria,
the proximity of the camp ground to
both Macon and Atlanta, the ample
hotel and boarding house accommoda
tins at low price, the delightful
Christian fellowship with leading
church people of different denomina-
tons from the southeast. the sweet
gospel singing and the great gospel
preaching by the leading holiness
preachers of the world, make this an
IDEAL place for all who desire to spend
ten days both delightfully."- and profit
ably.