Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-04
OUTLOOK FOR FUTURE
SEEMS ENCOURAGING
Caldwell Hardy, Federal Reserve
Agent, Issues Monthly Trade
Bulletin.
sLACKENING IN SOME LINES
Scarcity OF Ocean Freight Room and
Accumulation Of Goods intended,
for Export Chief Factors in Check.
ing Prosperity.


Caldwell Hardy, reserya ao~n, ,o4
this district, issued a monthly bulletin
yesterday, In which he predicted good
trade conditions for the future. While
slackening in some lines Is noted.
the bulletin asserts that conditions
continue sound and prosperous. The
bulletin follows:
General conditions continue sound
and prosperous. and the outlook for the
future is regarded as encouraging.
There has been some slowing up in
exports. although actual figures for
last month still show an increase. This
Slowing up is occasinned by the
scarcity OF ocean freight room, due To
interference with neutral shipping w
submarines. But for this condition, the
movement OF freight to the ports for
export would have resulted In larger
increases In their volume. The ac-
emulation OF goods intended for ex.
port is further evidenced by very con-
siderable volume of bankers accept
ances. which are being Issued for their
financing, pending actual export and
payment for same.
Postal revenues, clearing house re-
turns and railroad earnings continue
at. or above. recent maximums. ex-
cepting some railroad returns, which
indicate a falling oft In revenues from
coal traffic. This has been fnterfered
with particularly by car shortage, and
coal is bringing record high prices.
SLACKENING NOTED
IN SOME LINES
Trade In all lines continues good.
although little slackening in some
lines is noted, in comparison with re.
cent months. This Is due to hixh
| prices. which are inducing conser-
vatism in purchases among dealers ana
consumers. The increased difficulty in,
the movement of freight and the conse-
quent delay and uncertainty are addi-
| tional causes operating in the Same
direction. Collections. Notwithstanding,
are reported az good, and dealers gem
orally are looking forward to CON.
tlnued good business e."
Building is reported in fair volume.
some points showing very consider
able percentage of increase Manu-
facturers OF vehicles, furniture and
other lines. report stocks Of poods a,
limited and the demand excellent. The
lumber business has improved appre-
ctably and Is apparently only limited
by the inadequate freight facilities
and consequent congestion.
Farmers are prosperous from the
| returns OF the past season, prepara-
tons for planting are on n large scale
| FOR new crops, but the bad weather has
prevented much actual Roadway in
preparations, Staple crops are in con-
templatio ut normal or Increased
acreages. and reports Indicate n grow
Ing extension in the diversifcation of
| SINAI jrops tor home supplies sS.
! "r-ae demand for fertilizers has been
| strong. and some of the largest manu-
facturers report being oversold and
| having withdrawn their statesmen from
| the market
while farmers generally have Boo
| prosperous, some reports indicate that
tenant farmers, who raise chiefly sta
pie crops for market have suffered by
necessity of purchasing family supplies
at present high figures.
REPORTS OF CROP DAMAGE
MUCH EXAGGERATED
The recent Unprecedented cold
weather which swept ovei the South
ern Atlantic Seaboard did considerable
damage to garden. truck and small
crops, but reports OF damage In such
cases are frequently exaggerated, and
steps are being taken at once to
| remedy this condition as far as possi-
| BILE.
The good roads movement 10 re-
ceivinS efficient attention in tho dis
trict with the prospect OF steady Inn
| provement. Labor Is we'll employed:
| in fact. there is considerable scarcity,
Notwithstanding which many small
| new industries are planned and in con-
temptation throughout the district
much attention continues to be
given to stock raising. the high prices
for hogs and cattle stimulating inn
proved breeding by the Importation Of
blooded stock.
The reports from cotton mills are
somewhat mixed, some falling off In
new orders being reported. while Others
| indicate that the demands have Held
up remarkably we'll. considering the
| uncertainty OF our foreign relations;
no cancellations being reported and
prompt delivery OF goods on old orders
being urged. Most of the mills are
reported to have ample supplies OF
| cotton on hand to protect sales and to
meet requirements for some time to
come
Some banks are still reporting ur.
| usual ease in financial conditions, but
reports more generally Indicate Some
| natural decrease In deposits at this
season of the year with an Increased
demand for money, particularly for
crop preparations. Railroad lines In
dictate unprecedented Southern travel,
some of this due to an increa sing num-
Der of home seekers in the district"
v \