Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-07
LAST WEEKS BUSINESS.

Exceptionally gratifying reports re-
garding trade, industry and transport
tation are sonlwhat modified by less
favora BILE news from the agricultural
regions. Yet the reduced crop esti-
mates, while accentuating the tendency
toward wholesome conservation have
not raised doubts as TO the mainten-
ance OF the forward movement in bust
ness. In spite of various drawbacks
and uncertainties, confidence in sus-
tanned economic progress Is undim-
inished, the large increase in new en-
terprises testifying to strong faith in
the future. Notwithstanding the mag
nitude of previous purchases many in
terests are disposed to extend commit
ments further, being prompted TO cover
far distant needs by fears of grow
ing scarcity of supplies and the pos
sibil!ty that prices may go still higher.
Recoveries have occurred in certain
lines that recently showed evidences
of reaction.
Gratifying exhibits are not confined
10 statistics that measure business
movements and volumes. All are I'M
pressed with the remarkable state
ments OF railroad earnings and bank
clearings, but not every one appre-
ciates fully the Improvement in the
countrys commercial mortality. Dimin-
ishing failures are the exception in
July, yet the latest returns disclose
fewer defaults, than in any month in
over year and the smallest liza bilities
in nearly five years. The numerica.
reduction in comparison with June was
slght-from 1927 to l,207-but there
was decrease of 81 per cent from last
year and insolvencies were less num-
erous than in any July since 1913.
distinctive feature within recent
months has been the relatively small
number Of large failures. Those for
100000, or more, numbered only
twelve during July and involved but
@E,-fi,7oO diIOSetNeI. AIS IL tie Desk
showing for the period in a decade.
Bradstreets Chicago report says:
An immense volume Of business is I'M
der way. A little hesitation is dis.
played by northwestern buyers. and
somec anceilationS Of orders, owing to
crop damage, are reported, but retail
dealers from other sections are in the
market for goods. Dry goods houses,
already we'll supplied with orders, ex-
pect a large business during market
woke. Aug. to II. Activity continues
in steel. with demand still exceeding
supply, and the tone of the market !.
strong. Steel bars are being booked
for the first half of 1917, with the un.
derstanding that specifications are to
be given during the laft half Of 1916
Structural ma terial is ordered more
freely, the largest tonnage being one
lot Of $500 tons for a new steel plant
al Indiana Harbor. Increased activity
is noticed in scrap, with sales of $4,000
tons at sl5.25. delivered at Indiana
Harbor. Pig iron is slow, sltho a good
sized export order Is noted Inquiries
for machine tools are fair, but most
orders are small. Freight traffic on
western railroads increased to % per
cent for July as compared with last
year, and there is general scarcity Of
box cars. Builders materials are
meeting with seasonal BILE call Some un-
easiness is felt over the pending nego-
tiations between railway employees and
railroads, general strike being feared.
Produce prices are higher Hog prices
are Irregular, advancing early and de-
Ginning later. Cattle prices are off 10
to 25 cents. owing TO increased re-
ceipts as result Of dry pastures
Lambs have advanced 80 cents in two
weeks and are around s11. Sheep val
ues are strong. Receipts Of cattle and
hogs increased, while those of sheep
decreased. Money is in active demand
at firm rates. Collections are fair to
good.