Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-14
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS
THROUGHOUT SOUTHWEST
Now York Trust Company Makes
Careful Examination OF Bust
ness Conditions.
, FINDS MONEY is PLENTIFUL
War Stimulating Prices and Wages.
Retail business GoUd-Wages and
Materials Arc Going UI,-NOrfOik
Reports Prosperity.

Favorable conditions in this section
or tho country arc reported by tho
United States Mortgage and Trust
Company. OF New York. in an economic
.urvey of the South and West. Tho
report relates to war. crops, labor SUP
ply and prices. financial conditions and
retail trade. The statistics were gath
cred in reports from ff,y-1vc leading
cities. Including Richmond. Norfolk.
and Roanoke. In Virginia.
1t Is the concensus OF opinion that
tho effect OF the war on the Sou,n-
eastern section OF the country is bene-
fetal Tho direct effect Is widely
varying. bat everywhere there is n
strong tendency to support the presi-
dent. The cost OF living is receiving
sober attention and vigorous efforts
are being made TO offset by increased
crops and improved methods. boom
In farming is noted. with cotton adj
rancinE. All OF tho cities arc ap-
parently In position TO hcneht large
ly from war requirements and antici-
pate prosperity.
Speaking OF crop conditions the re-
port save:
season late Cotton badly off
oats injured. Boil wecvil serious in
parts OF Georgia and Alabama. Much
larger food stuff acreage, many gar
dens and more cattle and hogs Labor
scarce due TO negro migration. furtn-
er shortage IS feared from conscrii-
tion.''
MONEY Is PLENTIFUL
AND RATES TEND DOW ~ ARD
on mortgages tho report says;
"ienrrhllv easy. money plentiful and
rates tending downward. Real estate
chiefly farm properties building mart
cd by steadily increasing wages ANA
material prices"
Speaking OF the influence OF the Fed
cral farm loan system on mortgage
situation, the conccnsus OF opinion Is
as follows:
"Only a few assoc!a tons being form
cd. az system Just becoming operative
and effects not fully defined. Lower
interests have Invariably followed its
introduction"
Financial conditions aud retail trade
conditions were found 20 be fol-
lows:
above normal. money uniformly
plentiful Retail trade sonewha. above
the average. wiS only occasional low
spots. Euyng tends toward conserv-
n.ism, with slight tendency 10 hoard
Ing supplies"
WAR STIMULATING
PRICES AND WAGES
Rchmond is round 20 have t1Spir-
Ing patriotism, with the city heartily
supporting tho Presidents policies.
Tho war is stimulating prices and
wages. and may curtail manufa curing.
Financial conditions are found 10 he
very good and the retail business good
A shortage Of labor is noted, ana while
wheat In this vicinity IS short and the
season late. food acreage, particularly
potatoes. shows a big increase. Money
is plentiful. with rates tending down
ward. Wages and materials are going
up.
Norfolk expects tho war to be highly
beneficial on account Of extensive gov
ernmcnt requirements and general
shipping. Acreage has Increased in
that vicinity, with attention turned
strongly TO potatoes and garden truck
Realty In Norfolk is affected adversely
by the upward trend OF wages and
building materials
War iB expected TO have 2 stimulat-
ing effect on Roanoke. y crop short
age Is expected. in spite OF increaaed
acreage. New building is active. but
real estate is dun. Financial condi-
lions arc easy and retail trad" good.
Long term OF Federal farm loan is at
IA al