South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-06

states. ana IN our territory the
situation is not all that could be de-
sired. Since the issue of the Off
cial data, weather conditions have
been favorable and the condition OF
the crops has shown improvement.
The cold weather damaged the win.
ter wheat crop and necessarily de
creased materially the expected
acreage. Farmers are making everv
effort 10 take advantage of the high
prices for grain and the total acre
age 20 be planted this year will
probably be greater than in pre-
ceding seasons. The damaged winter
wheat land is being plOwed over
and put in corn and oats.
Agricultural Implements-Ma Manu-
facturers report a good demand.
particularly for corn tools. and the
volume OF general machinery sold is
in excess OF last year Concerns in
this line are finding 1t ditfcul, 10 Sc
cure steel and this. together With
the railroad situation. will tend to
hamber not only the implement
manufacturers. but also the farmer
who is dependent upon these tools
TO properly care for the increase
acreage contemplated for the com
Ing season.
mObiles-Currant business is
good with deliveries affected by the
shipping congestion in this line.
Dealers are reported well stocked
with ears, ard there is "A feeling of
uncertainty as to the future, due 10
the prospective taxes and the gen
eral high cost of the necessaries of
life.
Building and Building Materials
Construction is considerable held up.
due 10 the prohibitive prices Of raw
material. the increased cost Of fire
proof and other commercial build
ing being estimated at from so to
40 per cent Engineers. architects
and contractors look forward 10
active work should the government
require the ENLARGEMENT of factories
manufacturing war supplies, etc.
Cement companies and brick manu-
facturers find strong demand for
their products hut complain of the
railroad service and scarcity of
labor. II is estimated that the gov
eminent require nents for cement TO
construct fortihcations will seriously
tax manufacturing establishments.
Coal-The available supply is
readily taken at prices substantially
above normal, some fer immediate
consumption, and an additional
amount for storage. There is no
present prospect of lower prices,
and mines are turning out coal as
fast as cars can be secured to make
shipment.
Distilling and Brewing-COncern
in these lines are naturally watching
with the keenest apprehension the
movement toward prohibition and,
at this time. the high cost of grain
is tending 10 decrease the produc-
ton of whiskey. Masters have
plenty OF orders. in fact. one con-
Germ is nearly 1000 carloads behind
in shipments. The industry is Oper-
ating to the fullest capacity, com
mensuratc with the car supply. but
the manufactured product is piling
up and has forced the closing down
Of some plants.
Dry s-Wholesalers are find
ing a generally active demand,
which is carrying sales above last
year. although this may be due in
part 10 the increased values. Some
of the purchases are probably
speculative, and collections are fair.
In the retail trade cold weather has
held back the distribution of goods,
and there has been a spirit Of con-
.servatism evidenced on the part of
the consumer and the tendency TO
buy freely is not so evident
Furniture-This line has had a
setbacks since the declaration of war
and orders have been cut down.
buyers apparently holding Off for
the purpose Of analyzing the trend
OF the market. Collections are fair
ly good.
Grain-During the past month
the markets for all cereals have ad-
vanced materially. and foilowing
the government report showing an
unfavorable outlook for the winter
wheat crop, the quotations for this
cereal have advanced TO the highest
prices known in years. Conserva-
tive grain llIAilS dIe cur ldllllS lutll
operations as much as possible OH
account of the great risk in hand
ling grain at the present prices.
Railroad equipment Is i'm short sup
ply but this situation is easing up a
trife
Groceries-In the city of Chicago
the volume is satisfactory. but the
distribution through other centers
bears only a fair comparison 10 last
year if the increased value of the
merchandise is taken into consid-
Grafton. Collections are generally
satisfactory, but there is evidence
of slow pay i'm certain sections. A
more or less Intellectual attempt is
being made TO curb the speculative
tendencies of the consumers who
are buying in large quantities i'm
anticipation of further rise in prices.
HARDWARE good demand still
exists in this line. and il appears
that inplate Is being restricted 10
the Gamers Of perishable food for
making containers The quantity
49,, hoe Iaar, v-aIt,naI ~