Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-29
LAST WEEKS BUSINESS.

While the country's industries con-
tinue to operate at high speed, there
are numerous evidences of reaction
toward conservation In buying, the
| trend thus displayed suggesting that
for the time being at least. new bust
ness has undergone a slight pairing
down. and that buying power has been
temporarily satiated or repressed IN
order to permit of a breathing spell.
Over all, however. is the fact that
business. Industrial and commercial
has been such as to fill order books to
a point where a lifting OF the strain
is welcome. Optimism as to the future
is as strong as ever, but persistent
peace talk, high prices, previous fever
ish buying. some Of it speculative, I'M
certainty about crops, the presidential
nominal ions and the effects of unset
tied weather, which until very recently
held retail trade in leash, as it We're
are influences that naturally tend to
temper fresh developments.
Buying Of steel for domestic account
has receded, tho war steel is in even
heavier demand for shipment over sea.
But it Is noteworthy that prices tend
to so lower, another recession being
noted in open hearth billets,r while
steel scrap, electrolytic copper. spelter,
lead. tin, antimony, as we'll as some
grades OF lumber, are in a like pro-
cession.
Withal. general trade is we'll sus-
tanned even tho the pace is relatively
less rapid: iobbers. principally at the
smaller centers. report the receipt OF
tilline-in orders, mail order business is
of record proportions. and at some
points retail distribution has similarly
expanded. Dealers in goods 10 be used
Independence Day are buying early
and heavily. country hotels are getting
ready for heavy summer trade, and
amusement resorts expect to prosper /;
as a result Of the widespread employ
ment Of labor at high wages.
Labor IS still scarce. strikes for high ,
er compensation continue to prove !
successful and in some instances these !
Inconvenience move !
ments Savings deposits at the more
important centers continue to rise to ,
high levels.
There is an extraordinary demand !
for shoes, born Of style changes or /,
perhaps of the fear Of further ad- |
vances % prices, and trade in furni- /
ture at the principal producing center |
for the elapsed portion Of the year has |
been go per cent heavier than that !
done in tine corresponding time last !
year Meats, as we'll as live cattle, |
sheep and hogs. were never higher in |
the month of May. and II is patent that
small dealers will have a hard time |
making both ends meet. The grains,
cotton, vegetable oils and some metals !
are, however lower
Railway cars are in better supply, |
traffic is the heaviest ever known at /
this season, and western roads are !
said s9. be preparing TO spend large
sums the next.twelve months. Mining
the country over is very active, and
never were shipyards SO busy.
Bank clearings exceed those of one !
and two years ago by two-fifths to |
three-hfths, respectively; money is in !
better demand, rates are somewhat |
firmer bonds are going well. collec-
tons. except in a very few instances. !
are normal or batter, dividends are ]
still going up and the launching OF
new enterprises is marked The stock
market displays active trading prin-
cipally in the form of professional buy
ing, with rails and some specialties
smartly in the early part Of |
the week