Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-19
THE GENERAL BUSINESS FIELD.

The recovery in production, made
possible by the improved working con-
ditoins Of recent weeks, has continued
and shipments are less generally de-
layed as traffic draw backs gradually
diminish. In these important respects,
business Is in a more favorable posi-
ton than for long period and in
various branches it's volume enlarges
as spring approaches, though not in
every case at better prices
While some commodities not subject
to official regulation. and supplies Of
which grow appreciably scarcer, have
risen greatly under renewed pressure
Of urgent buying, decisive reaction has
developed in certain markets where
there are accommodations, and some in
terests still hold off in anticipation OF
additional concessions by sellers
Where doubts about future quotations
exist, as in steel and iron, demands
from other than governmental channels
continue meager, and where the ele-
ment Of price uncertainty does not en-
ter, strictly civilian purchasing in
many instances is limited by the in
ability or Discrimination Of producers to
commit themselves further.
The adjustment of business to war
basis, in fact, steadily progresses, and
though comparatively little machinery
is idle through lack Of orders, regular
requirements are clearly along more
conservative lines Yet retail trading
Notwithstanding the already extreme
prices and the Offering Of some merch-
andise at still higher levels, bulks
heavy in the aggregate, and Is especi
ANY good in the prosperous agricultur-
al regions Of the West and South and
in the large Industrial centers.
Wages advances at one point or an
other continue matter Of almost
weekly occurrence, but these increases,
while measurab1y enhancing the pur-
chasing power in many directions,
obviously add to producing costs and
tened to make commodities dearer.
Chicago-The principal drawback to
the situation is the fact that distribu-
ton is hanpered in a measure by
shortage of freight cars, due to the
shifting by the government of thou
sand of these carriers into the grain
trade in an effort to get to terminal
markets the large quantities of soft
corn still in the interior, much Of which
may be lost unless it is moved before
war weather arrives. This cTtail-
ment of rolling stock causes delay to
shipments in general lines Of business,
but conditions are so much better than
they were 2 month ago that little COM
plant is hear.
Kansas City-Failures are not as
heavy as usual for this time Of the
year aand it is conceded that dealers
in all lines throughout this vicinity
are operating on a more conservative
basis than for years. Collections seem
to be a little easier than heretofore.
St. Paul-Wholesaie business is
made up largely Of numerous small
orders, but the volume is sufficient to
bring the turnover slightly above
that of year ago. Ordering for
future delivery continues quite active,
and, as whole, the situation in whole
sale lines is consi dered quite favorable.
Manufacturers and distributors report
business good in dry goods, footwear,
furs. hats. caps and mems furnishings
In hardware, however, the tonnage is
not equal to that Of last year, but
prices are firm and the volume in dol
lars and cents shows some gain. Ship
ments are about normal in drugs
chemicals and oils. and inquiry for