Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-11
the BUSINESS FIELD.


chandise in sections where the weather
has improved. there is more hopeful
feeling among merchants, and strength
ening of confidence is the dominant
note in reports from not few quar-
tiers. Best results at retail are not
now possible, however. and there is
some sacrificing of profits thru bar
gain offerings. while distribution OF
footwear has diminished to such an
extent that considerable machinery Is
idle. Yet, in most of its branches.
manufacturing proceeds close to the
maximum, with the demands Of the
government tending to Offset the lull
in regular buying, where any has oc-
CURED, and in nearly all of the lead
ing industries pressure to sell is still
conspicuous by its absence.
The sharply advancing prices iE
many lines reject the magnitude and
urgency of current requirements, as
we'll as belief that future supplies
may prove inadequate, and instances
are not uncommon where producers
are una bic to accept additional orders.
This condition results not only from
the oversoid position of mills and fac
tories. but also from the inability TO
obtain sufficient materials and LABOR,
and the drawbacks in transportation
continue. AS evidence of the great vol
ume of traffic being handled by the
common carriers, gross earnings OF
railroads reporting weekly for May are
ls.s per cent in excess Of last years
which up to that time had never been
equaled.
With seventy-two advances and only
twenty-seven recessions in this weeks
list Of over 800 wholesale quotations,
the strength of the commodity markets
is even more pronounced than recent
~, and on June Dun's index nam-
Der attained another new high record
at S2l25S5. This Is about 20 per cent
dnDN Inc Mo- ASGAC oA-A Wv
has been continuous during the last
ten months, exceeding 81 per cent IN
that period. A still more striking gain,
fully IS per cent, appears in COMPARE
son with Aug 1. 1914, and tho season
able reaction may now be looked in
many raw materials and manufactured
products are foreshadowed.
Evidence multipAes Of the restrict
ing influence on new construction Of
the extreme prices OF materials and
the scarcity and high cost Of labor.
Because of these factors, building per-
mits not unnatura1iy disclose reduc-
ton. and during May were BIO per cent
less in value than last year al ninety
seven representative cities. This fol-
lows a decline Of about 10 per cent In
April and losses again predominated
last month, with conspicuous decreases
at a number OF leading centers. The
greatest contraction. TT per cent, oc-
CURED in Greater New York, and sub
stantiaily smaller figures also appear
at Chicago Detroit Duluth, Baltimore,
Philadelphia and some other important
points, the totally outside the metropo-
Us falling of $50 per cent. BY reason
Of the adverse showing OF the last two
months, the aggregate OF all cities re-
porting for the year to date Is con-
siderably less than for the same pc
Rod OF 1916. and the record seems even
more unfayorable, when the high
prices, which obviously tend to swell
the value Of this years permits, are
considered.
Dun's reports from nearby trade
centers:
Chicago-Despite the adverse effects
OF unsettled weather upon leading re-
tail distribution and the increasing
economy of buyers. the volume Of
commerce continues strikingiy broad
and the general conditions strengthen
confidence in the outlook.
Omaha-The large local department
stores report business well UP to ex-
pectat tons, tho handicapped by unsea-
sonable weather. This condition seems
to prevail in all other lines with the
exception of building, which is checked
by labor difficulties.
ST. Paul-Current sales in dry goods,
clothing. mems furnishings, hats. caps,
etc. continue to be distributed in a
fair volume. and In these lines orders
placed for future delivery and soon TO
be shipped are reported as larger than
a year ago. In hardware shipments
and tonnage also show substantial
gain over 1915, while trade is good in
harness and automobile accessories. In
groceries and foodstuffs, the movement
during the past three weeks mas been
In smaller volume, but equal TO that
of a year ago. Collections are fair.
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