Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-25
IHE BUSINESS FIELD.

All other business features are over
Swallowed by the price situation, when
daily becomes more extraordinary.
Notwithstanding the rapid and prac-
tically unchecked rise for many
months. noteworthy advances in raw
materials and partially manufactures,
and finished products continue, and
that even more striking levels may
conceivably be reached is everywhere
considered
That such facts appear is not sur
prising. however, for government and
other demands upon the countrys
leading Industries are increasingly i'm
Fortunate and the growing shortage of
supplies, with the steadily enhanced
costs of production, have naturally ac-
centuated the strength Of commodities
Reaction has not illogically occurred
IN some quarters from time to time
but It has centered mainly in speculat-
i've channels and more is heard eacn
week of the reluctance of manufactur-
ers to SELL either because their plants
are taxed to the utmost capacity and
night work is necessary. or thru the
beliefe that the markets must newt
ably go still higher.
The labor scarcity. which is likely TO
become intensified as men are with
drawn from productive enterprise, and
the strikes in scattered points, impose
restraint upon industrial activities,
while deliveries are delayed by the
continued drawbacks in transportation
and better than regular list quotations
are frequently offered in cases where
rush shipments are required. Yet there
is accommodating evidence that the en-
treme prices are curtailing purchases
by consumers, both of essentials and
Injuries. and. tho the recent develop
ment of seasonable temperatures over
a wide area has proved a distinct
stimulus to retail branches, general
distributive trade is clearly in lessened
volume.
The practice Of economy and re-
trenchment is spreading, but consump-
ton remains notabl large under the
conditions. and the Improvement in
wheat crop prospects has strengthened
confidence in the business outlook. The
cotton situation, on the other hand.
leaves much to be desired, as reports
to this journal testify.
Dun's reports from leading cities are
generally encouraging.
Observation-Disclosures mainly are
in harmony with the advancing season
and the aggregate volume Of trade evil
dences sustained activity in most
branches and some progress, on the
whole. 49,
Minneapolis-There is little change
in general trade conditions in the local
market. Retail business is holding UP
we'll, and sales are ahead of those Of
the corresponding period last year.
Wholesalers report orders in good vol
ume for immediate and fall shipment,
and manufacturing lines continue run
ming to capacity, with large amount
of contracts on hand.
Boston-With few exceptions, indus
tries keep fully occupied, and labor
troubles and delays in receiving ma
terials account for whatever. machin-
cry there may be idle. War economy
and unfavorable weather have exer-
cised great influence in curtailing the
retail movement, which has again been
comparatively small the past week.
Phila delphia-Quite number Of inn
portant lines now report noticeable
trend toward improvement, this being
especially the case with retailers han
ding summer dry goods, clothing, foot
wear millinery, furnishings, etc, sales
in these departments having been ma
terially stimulated by warmer and
more seasonable weather.
Omaha-Local business conditions
have not changed during the past
week. While there Is some complaint
in the retail trade, owing to the late
ness of the season, the demand is now
in good volume, being helped by the
warm weather generally prevailing
during the past two weeks. Crop con-
ditions are favora BILE.