Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-30
Increase of Over 1900 Car
load Lots of Outgoing
Freight for Year With
Total of 1851 Cars.
Volume of Wholesale Busi-
ness Goes Up 40 Per Cent
and Retail From Is to 40
Bank Deposits Nearly
Thirteen Million.
BY BYRON E. HYATT.

(Secretary Boise Commero al Club
The year 1917 has taken it's place
alongside the greatest and most event
full in American history. Unlike many
of its predecessors we cannot. with
out serious concern. turn this page as
a closed chapter, and unmindful Of the
joys, cares, and worries Of the old year,
with renewed interest and anticipation.
There is something in the old year that
continues it's life and links it closely
with the new year-something that
emphasizes the beginning of the most
stupendous epoch in the affairs of our
nation.
The world war and entry of the
United States into it, has wrought
economically in established conditions.
How to meet these new conditions
with practical solutions is the great
problem now confronting the Ameri-
can people.
Assuming promptly and without re-
serve whatever portion destiny may
decree shall be our allotment. we en-
tered the terrible conflict eight months
ago, that great outlaw nation shall
be punished for it's crimes. and it's
people brought to realization of the
awful deeds of savagery their govern
ment has caused them to commit. And
for the further and more important
purposes of making the world safe for
democracy, and to protect posterity
from a repetition of such an appall-
ing calamity. With high resolve and
, tenacity of purpose, we have accepted
the responsibility; and as a pledge to
the allied ro>yers of the world of our
determination to assist them in dealing
a crushing blow to that deadly enemy
of free government and present-day
civilization. the German empire, we
have pledged our lives and our for
tunes.
STIMULATES BUSINESS.
The war has given great stimu-
liant to business So much SO. that
avery community. no matter how re-
mote from the big industrial centers.
is now enjoying more or less prosper
ity. Therefore, war must be consid
cred the great impelling force that is
driving business in every line at max
imum speed. The urgent demands of
our government, the needs of our al
lies and certain neutral nations, for
| the product of our factories. our farms
and mines, furnishes a ready market
| for everything we are able to produce
| at Unprecedented prices. And 1t must
be expected that dumping unheard
millions directly into the channels of
trade. will greatly increase the volume
! of business.
INCREASE IN BOISE.
The progress, growth and extent OF
trade enjoyed by the business men OF
Boise during 1917 excels all previous
| years.
! The business done by our wholesale
! houses shows an approximate increase
of As per cent.
j The retail merchants in nearly all
lines have increased their business
from 25 to 40 per cent over any pre-
vious year.
/ LUMBER ACTIVITY.
The lumber business in Boise exhib-
its very substantial advance over
1916, in both production and consump-
ton. The shipments for the year from
the Barber mill of the Boise Payette
Lumber company will reach 65,000,000
feet, 25, 100000 more than in 1915, in
spite OF a severe car shortage lasting
for three months. The wholesale busi-
ness has been materially greater. and
has extended as far east as the At
lantic coast.
The retail yards report business
from rs to so per cent greater than last
year. and considerable big business in
sight for next year. Prices have In
creased. but not in proportion to the
wholesale advance, on account of the
cash and carry system which went into
effect last June.
Planning mills report material in
creases In volume OF business. and in