New Britain herald., 1917-07-13
BUSINESS FAILURES DECLINING IN 1917
est Showing Since 1911 for | First Six Months

With 7,4S8 failures for 94,721,356, clusive of banking suspensions and large life insurance receivership in ennsylvania, the country's commer- hl mortality during the first half
 1917 made the best numerical ex- bit since 1911, while the liabilities ore the smallest for any similar riod in nearly decade. The pres t figures compare with the $9,49 faults, involving s111, ,242,421, re- prted to R. G. Dun & Co.,, last year, Id with 12,740 for $188,587,535 in 15-the highest point on record. In e first six months of 1914 there were b43 insolvencies, with aggregate (bts of about s1S5, ,0O0,000. It thus pears that despite the very material crease in new Enterprises and other ctors calculated, to enhance the pos bflities of financial embarrassment ilures have been relatively moder- e. and a study, of the latest state snt discloses no evidence that the onomic readjustments occasioned
 this nations participation in the IT have caused serious distur bance
 business. The improvement which htured the returns during the first rec months of this year was we'll lintained in the second quarter, and faults in June were less numerous an in the same month of 1916 and IS, with the smallest liabilities for e period, excepting those of last lar, since 1912.
 Both in number and amount, re- ction occurred in manufacturing d trading defa aults; but whereas ere were 140 fewer insolvencies hong agents brokers and other con- rms not properly included in either
 the two leading classes, the in- btedness was about $1,O00,O0O lar r than in the first half of 1916. Thus ch failures numbered 361 for ST. 6,8S9, as against 5O1 for $16,249,- g: while there were 1888 manufac- ring reverses, involving $4O,44O,9OS,
 comparison wth0 2,i247 for $39,- 7,742, and 5,239 in the trading divi- bn for $37, ,O04,5 559, as contrasted tn 6,747 last year for $56,O93,87O. he trading defa ults made relatively e best showing, with a numerical (crease of 22 percent. and a contrac- bn of 34 per cent. in amount.
 Geographically examined, the rec "a discloses practically countrywide hprovement in the business mortali- for there were fewer failures in all
 the eight sections into which the Rtement is divided, and only in the ew England and Pacific States were abilities larger than in the first half
 1916. Numerically, a reduction
 564 occurred in the Middle Atlan- group; in the South Central di- sion the decrease was 470; in the buth Atlantic States it was 263: in C Central East 234; in the Central Test POS; in New England 126, and
 the Pacific and Western States erc was a falling of of IF and 25 efaults, respectively. As to the mount involved, relatively the best khibit was made by the South Gen. al and Western sections with reduc- ons of over 50 per cent in each kse, and the increase on the Pacific cast was moderate.
 Excepting Vermont, all of the six CIV England States reported fewer lilures, and only in Massa chusetts nd Connecticut, were the liabilities krger than in the first half of 1916 otal defaults in this section number ITS for $12,S91, ,493, as against 9O4 the previous year for $8,484,59 nd 1,O58 in 1915 for $11, 1,933,5 ,501 he numerical increase in Vermont nyer 1916 was 19 per cent or 31 in- bfvencies compared. with 26; but here was a reduction of 45 reverses a Rhode Island; 38 in Maine; 30 1T Massachusetts; 15 in New Hamp pshire Ind in Connecticut In respect tc he amount invo1vedy Connection nade the most unsattsfa ctory show. hg with an expanion of early $5,oOO, 100, due to one large manufacturing allure late in June. In Massa husetts the indebtedness rose $347, co; whereas in Maine it fell of 44Ao00; in Vermont $135, ,O0OO ant Rhode Island $124.0oO, while il gew Hampshire the decrease wa light Separated according to occu ataon the New England figures show
 small increase in number of manu featuring failures and liabilities $5, &1n,00O larger, but among trader here was substantial improvement Fl both respects, and though in tn klass embracing agents, brokers, etc. khe amount was somewhat greate here were 29 fewer suspensions.