Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-03
BUSINESS AND TINE PROSPECT.

1T is reassuring, at a time OF un-
| precented business activity. that con-
| servatism is increasing rather than
diminishing, Confidence is widespread
| in the continuance of record -breaking
| achievements in production and distri-
| button, but there is now more gem
eral disposition to avoid speculative
excuses and to guard against over
extension in any quarter. This spirit
Of caution is manifested in the efforts
to check the rapid rise Of prices in the
steel industry. as we'll as in the textile
market sand other leading lines. Evil
dence appears that quotations have
outrun the views of some buyers, who
proceed more slowly in making for
ward commitments; yet, in the main.
demands still seem Unsuitable and
manufacturers have of necessity turned
numerous contracts away.
Still, after eight months of steady
expansion trade still continues on the
up grade. and it's cl,ief characteristic
is sustained activity. More seasonable
weather has come along to stimulate
retail distributions: the old plant of
lack Of materials, as we'll as Of car
shortages, is as loud as ever: prices
port speaking Of this feature as fac
tor that fails to discourage business.
Indeed, fear Of still higher prices
causes purveyors to continue to rush
buying, to actually bid up the markets
against themselves, and to completely
overturn the long practical policy Of
buying from hand to mouth that pre-
vailed in the years following 1907.
Present demand for raiment Of all
kinds is excellent. while that for fall
shipment is likewise of large proper
tons. The third month of the year
was indeed an exceptionally active
month. no doubt the best March on
record. Country merchants are maxi
ing larger purchases than ever before,
tho final distribution has hardly opened
as yet. and it is the season of bad
roads.
Labor is in scant supply. the short
age promises to become acute, wages
in industries are steadily mounting,
and there is the ever-present demand
for even more liberal compensation.
Industry huns with activity. textile
mills find themselves unable to make
deliveries as promised. and the rail-
way traffic congestion holds up ship
ments of materials needed for manu-
facturers.
Bank deposits are at the highest
point ever known, money is in better
demand. rates are somewhat flrmer,
and bank clearings, tho smaller than
last week, excel those Of one and two
years ago. Returns Of cash in hands
Of leading corporations are enormous.
Winter wheat crop reports are ir-
regular. drough in parts of the south
west having been partly broken. but
wint killing or dry soil are said to
have damaged the crop over much Of
the growing region. However. II Is
too early to draw a definite line on
conditions.
More seasonable weather served to
stimulate distribution Of dry goods at
retail and reports from jobbing houses
continue very optimistic, both as re-
CARDS immediate and future business. |
Further price advances have not yet |
restricted buying appreciably. but con-
sentative interests are urging caution
in the extension of forward commit
ments at current levels. Manufacture
ers make every effort to meet the
urgent requirements Of customers, yet
mill operations are hampered by diff
culties in securing raw materials, by
strikes and by scarcity Of skilled
labor. Moreover, the transportation
congestion has materially retarded the
movement Of spring merchandise.
Practically all footwear factories are
pushed to the limit, producers being
under pressure to fill prompt delivery
orders for the Easter trade.