Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-20
HOW is BUSINESS

After learning the progress Of the nations de.
lenders at the front and in preparation for the
'front.' business has the first attention "How's
business? - Is the second thought
II we may take as criterion the condition at the
time OF the latest received report Of Bradstreets
II appears that the business Of the country holds
..eady and Is improving Secretary McAdoo prom
led widespread prosperity when the billions Of the
neat liberty loan bonds were LET loose. The pros
..rify has begun even before the loan money came
nio full action. The prospect Of good crops sup
plies the fundamental strength Of the situation.
"A shifting or readinsting process born Of war
conditions, tends to Fepress operations in some
rIabnels sast BradstTe sS fwlile atf the same
line stimulating wide range ofNwar lines 70 great
81 animation.
Iet. what may be termed regular distributivc
business Is large, and though il i conceded that
Here Is not the snap to buying that was 50 remark
able six months ago, faith in the future OF trade Is
01'5 tempered BY concern over governmental reg.
.aiion Of prices or BY present uncertainty as to
',, fun eiIects Of readjustments now making. How
~. fhe1e establishments will 90, and what lines will
i. most repressed while expansion grows in the in.
.6sffcs that are essential to warfare is the lead
ne question.
eHoWcver the main developments Of the week
rs. favorable notwithstanding that the larger
lire. erince seasonal quiet Warm weather and
.If cIearance sales have stimulated retail trade,
which in turn has made for some recorders, and
Industry Is active as ever being only held back by
.6Iiaee Of labor Or raw materials.
tIncidentally, crop conditions are more favor
able than at any previous time this season. soil pro-
diets are lower in price, speculative operations in
..51sf1hs as well as in financial markets are re-
.te>sed the railways. aided BY waterway naviga-
|on are doing better, the car shortage is less
.c0te ii the country districts merchants seem dis
I6sed to buy for all shipment and mailorder houses
ire doing we'll. Wifhal, the season has been excep
onally backward for retail trade, and besides hit
ting summer goods, the economy campaign also
struck at Injuries and fancy articles rs well fur
.iItre and while some distributors report an ex.
.htonally good turnover the first half Of the year,
|sre are numerous reports Of retail dealers asking
that shipments OF textiles be deferred until later
date. This attitude is dictated BY the desire to-
work Of stocks and to LET selling agents carry the
<c3ds for the time being.
tIhe labor shortage is more acute. and strikes
..r hun6rous, with the copper mining regions Of
Montana and Arizona most affected. Higher prices
|or big iron .the uncertainty OF governmental con-
16 81 prices lower quotations for scrap material,
|ctfy buying az coal large demand for lumber and
marked activity IN buying Of machine toolS BY chip
builders and makers Of aeroplanes are additional
features
|['ollections are relatively good, money is easy,
hank clearings are large and business failures are
.kt The easier tone Of money has failed to slim
'.Ie speculation in securities, and the disappoint
"a caused BY the interstate commerce commits
- ,ieeision on rates, and uncertainty as TO gov
.6ent price regulation, is credited with the bear
tome shown Bonds are dull and Investment
...,,.o, IL light