Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-21
the BUSINESS PROSPECT.

| Ani-around activity prevails. the Sit
uatiou In some lines being unparal-
leled. Buyers throng the leading mar
kets: industry, except in few neglisi-
BILE instances, continues at full speed:
prices, with the notable exception Of
raw cotton, keep on rising; scarcity OF
numerous articles is more marked than
ever. and while high costs under ordi-
nary conditions would tend to auto
matically restrict consumption, the
fact is that at this juncture the ad-
vanclng levels seem to spur buyers to
extraordinary efforts to fill their re-
quiremerts.
There is no longer any great DISPOSE
! ton to wait for sudden ending of the
European war. nor to expect marked
retrogression in other directions, ana
domestic buyers, reconciled TO existing
: conditions. are anxious about having
! is. of course, more or less deferring OF
! projects because of high prices, but
! this factor is negat.ved by the larger
one that America is the only free mar
ket to which belligerents and neutrals
alike can turn.
| AS already noted, every leading mar
ket thruout the country has been
/ thronged with buyers: hotel accom-
modations have been taxed; house
trade. especially of dry goods, clothing
and shoes. has expanded; road sales
continue to show steady gains: retail
trade, thanks to widespread employ
ment at good wages, more than holds
its own; mail orders are heavy, and
sales for fall shipment attract atten-
ton. Il is true that in some parts of
the country milder, thawing weather
has reduced sales of sea sonable articles
at retail. but, on the other hand. rubber
goods have been benefited.
Railway traffic is very large, COM
plants Of car shortages continue num-
erous, grain interests, iron furnacemen
and coal and coke producers being par
t!cularly loud in their protestations
over conditions, and. in fact, there are
signs that matters in this respect are
becoming worse instead OF better. La
Dor IS scarce, it is FESTIVE and exact
ing. and at the moment the situation
is cIOUded by three important factors.
the western traiDmen's demands, those
Of the anthracite coal miners and the
demands 81 western soft coal miners.
Demand for steel, copper, lead and
spelter is active, prices continue to ad-
vance. in the finished steel industry
mills are choked with business, and
it seems certain that domestic users
will have to pay high prices for stee.
or else go without. for that part Of the
world that is at peace needs our steel,
while the Europe that is Ia war mus,
perforce look to this country for its
needs. Some manufacturers Of agri-
cultural implements, at much earlier
date than usual, have partially COW
cred their requirements on terms ap
plying TO specifications that suit the
mills, and owing to high cost Of mater
ials, makers OF farm machinery II
turn have advanced their prices.
Bank clearinss excel those of one
and two years ago. money is easy and
seem to be good, Notwithstanding spe-
cuia tive reports Of bug damage 10
wheat in centra! Texas, Oklahoma and
Kansas. Supplies of moisture every
where are ample. Cotton, the import
ant exception to the general upward
trend Of prices. is Y cent lower on
disturbed views of foreign takings and
consumption, but wheat is slightly
higher on good export demand, Offset
ting larger movement. Pacific coast
| barley is crossing the United States for
expor. 70 Europe. Thes took market
heavy and unsettled in tone, reflects
! selling due mainly 10. less satisfac-
tory outlook for our international mat
eers.
| Bradstreet's reports are in every case
encouraging. Midwestern points are
quoted thus:
| Trade is more active and feeling is
more optimistic at Chicago. Railroads,
| builders and exporters are all buying
| lumber. Complaints OF car shortages
are general. st. Louis reports its hotels
| crowded with buyers of dry goods,
! clothing, shoes, millinery, and, in fact.
all wearing apparel. Manufacturers are
! active. and there IS a noticeable reach
| ing our for new markets, especially
! abroad. Wholesale trade Is active a.
! Omaha and Kansas City. At Peoria
| alcohol plants are running to full ca
| pacity. Lexington loose leaf tobacco
sales this season total 30,000.0o0 pounds.
| at an average Of 10 cents per pound.
| Dubuque reports Improvement in
| joDbing trade, retail business active
and collections good. Manufacturers
report unusually good demand for foot
wear and rubbers. Flour manufacturers
rae running TO two-thirds capacity
Milwaukee notes shortage of materials
for manufacture. Agricultural nipple.
ments have advanced in price owing
to higher cost of materials. ST. Paul
reports warmer weather helping rubber
goods. and trade generally equals last
and country elevators are full, owing
to car shortage. Grand Rapids furni-
ture factories are running full time,
and sales are satisfactory.
|