The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-22
EVERYBODY MAKING MONEY
By HOLLAND

New York, September 2.-(speciaD This morning one of the leaders in the American financial world, himself chair man of the finance committee of one or the very large corporations, was asked if his forecast led him to believe that we should find ourselves in an era or great imitation. It Is stupendous. It Is, however, not dangerous at present for it simply reflects the enormous de- mands which have been made upon Amer iean industry and agriculture. One proof that 1t is already here Is furnished by the fact that the people as whole never had as much money as they now possess And wages were never higher nor more promptly paid. Money is flow ing into the treasuries of the large in- dustries by hundreds of millions and much of this money is almost immedi- ately disbursed. I have heard that the farmers of the west and the northwest will receive this year for their grain harvest alone not far from $6,000, 00,O0O. They will spend a considerable part of this money in enlarging their farms and in buying labor saving apparatus, so LLdI they Indy lu0 luOAS S<iS3iy 1icbA NOot their crops next year and this money thus goes immediately into circulation"
 One of the best authorities upon condi- tions in England said this morning that never before have the plain people or England and those who are sometimes referred to as the lower classes, had as much money as they possess today. Workers who before the war were glad to receive yearly wages as servants of about $125 our money, are now receiv- ing on the average of $100 a month in payment for their work in munition fac- tories and in other industries. All classes in England are abundantiy sup piled with funds, and there seems to be no disposition on the part of the wealthy to curtail their expenses except ing in the matter of food.
 Inquiry in this city shows that the retail shops never did better early fall business than that which is now coming to them. The shops are crowded and notwithstanding the high prices charged for commodities, especially wom- ans garments, nevertheless there is ready sale for all of them, except, per- hape, precious stones.
 When it is remembered that the gov ernment is now expending hundreds of millions of dollars, and has presumably exhausted the $2,OOO 100000 received by subscription to the first liberty loan, then there will be better understanding of the reason why apparent, and It may be real, prosperity, Is now the charac- teristic of the American peoples fnan- cial condition.
 There is, however, no real imitation of money, excepting that which may be di- rectly caused by our abundant stock of gold Credit may be somewhat inflated, but the bankers of the entire country are understood now to be exercising great care in granting accommodations. This means that they are not at present willing to furnish capital whereby new enterprises can be undertaken, but they will cordially assist all business activ- tiles of the United States.
 Within two or three days certain moni- tions have been carefully spoken by the presidents of two of the great banking | institutions of the United States. One | of these institutions is the largest which operates under a federal charter. The other is the greatest trust institution ir