The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-02-14
rHE BUSINESS SITUATION.

- ANNE
-
with diplomatic relations suspended
between the tinted states and DER
many one would naturally think that
business conditions here would be
somewhat shaky. but outside the great
speculative markets there 10 no indIca-
lion that the United States IL IN the
verge OF
Reports from an over the n
gathered from bankers and merchants
do M, Indicate that anybody Is chang
ing any business plans Trade is go.
ing right along In lis customary way,
new enterprises are not checked. there
IL little or no withdrawal OF meme
from hanks and no increased demand
for loans. Distribution Of merchandise
has not been checked and factorie- 20
rIght on running full time.
The cause OF this equaniritg IL hard
10 determine. Sone advance the
tneory that the belief prevails in the
business world that there viii he 10
war-at least a certain part of ne
business world holds to that belief.
Others express the idea that the Unit
Cd States Il established on such a firm
foundation that the country will not he
severely hurt BY the conflict in ease IT
comes
In view of the shock that was ex-
pericnced when the European war
broke out In 1914. the ealmness u the
American BUSINESS world now. In the
face OF the present crisis. H. regarded
as remarkable. No one can forecast
the possible consequence Of a state Of.
war between the United States and
Germany. II might have very little
effect Germany is kept pretty hesy
az home these days and she cpul No,
do much at the present time to hurt
this country. Perhaps that is the rea-
son for the absence Of disturbance IN
the business world. On the other
hand. there are ultimate possihiiiu n
that might ne very serious. But the
Amerscan ssusines- rnenf ~ sankersl
show no disposition TO anticipate ,rou
bic.
Authorities In the steel trade say
that foreign demand last week prob
ably was larger than at any %precedins
time since the war began.
Negotiations have beer opened on
$4,000 tons OF rails, y million tons az
wal material and \ million tons II
bars. plates and shapes 70 cover build.
Ing Of equipments for foreign rail-
ROADS. contmcts for 800. 900 boxes of
tin plate have Dee closed.
Agents OF the allied governments
have secured about zoo 0o tons ore
pig iron for shipment to ltaiy and
France and 20. 900 tons have been tax
en- nv another foreign interest for ex-
port TO Italy.
The United States government has
placed contracts for more structural
work al navy yards and similar orders
for 1900 tons OF steel.
Great activity IL evident In all
pfaufNet OF iNe steer ttth-lfNs hhl
many Of the plants are still emoarras-
red by the deranRed transportation
which either prevents the prompt as.
semhling % raw material or delays
the distribution Of finished products
Great and small plants alike are pre-.
pared 20 accept government orders
when necessary
Domestic manufacturers of cars and
locomotives have closed aaditiona.
contracts for approximately 100000
tons Of rolled. forged and cast stee
and "A greater tonnaRe II under neso-
tiation. Orders are being placed As
far ahead as the third quarter oi
1915.
ship builders have taken on add
tional orders for ships and Atanti,
and Pacific ooast yards are ueRotiaure
for more han 100. 900 tons OF steel.
Rail mills have accepted additional
contracts for 20. 900 tors OF standard
and light sections from domestic roads
for shipment in the third and fourth