Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-16
BUSINESS LAST WEEK.

All speculative markets experienced
reaction last week and legitimate bus
mess has temporarily moved under re-
duced momentum. owing to the holiday
interruption and a certain hesitancy
due to International Developments.
Current transactions. however, con-
tinuse unprecedented for the period
and, with the strength Of fundamental
factors undiminished. the general ten
dency in trade and industry is still to-
ward further expansion.
Rises in prices continue and Of the
331 wholesale quotations regularly
compiled by Dun's Review. sixty six
showed advances last week and twen-
ty-siX declines. The extreme costs nat
urally induce more or less conserva.
tism and deter some from buying, but
in many instances the prospect OF fur
Their advances is an incentive to larger
purchasing, and consumption generally
is maintained In extraordinary volume
This is evidenced by the record
breaking bank clearings, which last
week were 22.2 per cent in excess Of
last years at leading centers outside of
New York. Part of the gain, of course,
is due to the high prices, yet the re-
markable totals would not be possible
were 1t not for the noteworthy and
4 ,;,-;, -
ness. In many cases, however, full
measure of progress is not possible be-
cause producing and transporting IA
cilities, tho increased and extended to
the limit, remain inadequate to meet
the growing requirements. Insistent
calls for developments of materials
and products indicate the urgency Of
consumers neds, but, as some machin-
cry is idle thru labor scarcity and wage
controversies, outputs are insufficient,
and the shortage of rolling stock ac-
centuates the difficulty Of making de-
liveries as scheduled.
Measured by Dun's Index Number,
the general level OF wholesale com
modify quotations Is over % per cent
higher than at the beginning of the
war. In many articles the difference is
| much greater. and those who thought
that the yielding tendencies witnessed
in some quakters during the summer
foresha dowed definite reaction are now
wondering how much further the ad-
vance is likely to be carried. Within
| recent weeks the rise has been particu-
larly striking and it is still the fac
that actual consumptive requirement.
are tn controlling element in the stu
alton, tho other than legitimate infiu-
ences have accentuated the strength OF
some markets.
| Chicago reports that fall operations
| in production, distribution and trans
! portation exhibit aggregates at thu
highest. The activities, as whole, re-
| fleet a volume never heretofore reached
| in this district, and, despite the enor
| NOUS outputs in the manufacturing
| branches Of the past nine months, tner'
1 is no easing in the pressure upon ia
cilities, nor decline in new demands 10
future deliveries. At Mirneapon
| wholesalers and jobbers report yer.
active conditions and business trans
acted thus far, in nearly all lines
shows a material increase over the mrs
min. months of 1915. Retail trade IN a.
lines is satisfactory, and prospects TO
a prosperous fall and winter are yer.
/ favorable. Manufacturers are runnin'
to capacity with good volume OF or
ders on hand for Immediate and futuf
| shipment. Collections are fairly gooe