South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
Real Estate BuiZding-IndustriaZ
Scarcity of Essentials
Affects Industry IN This
Federal Reserve District

heard with regard to country col
( lections.
Coal miners are unable TO satisfy
demand. the extremely cold weather
+ depreciating the efforts made TO fiji
/ the already pressing requirements
I of manufactures Car shortage is
I also an unfavorable element
/ Export demand would afford a
\ broad market for distillers' products
were it not for the difficulty with
/ shipping restrictions and scarcity
! Of ocean bottoms. Domestic bust
| ness is quiet and no activity is an
= ticipated for the duration Of the
war.
1T is suggested that boarding of
\ stock is responsible for some of the
I advanced prices at which dry goods
are being sold. Wholesalers re-
/ port a considerable volume of spec
I ulative buying. A satisfactory
volume Of retail business has re-
suited from the seasonable weather
/ of the past few weeks Collections
/ are better than normal.
Furniture houses are reasonably
well occupied with new business;
factories are retaining most of their
/ employees. though orders are rather
light. Collections are good.
| Considering the large crops or
wheat, corn and oats, prizes have
ruled high Corn of good quality
brings high price though there
has naturally been some decline in
the lower grade. which was forced
/ to the markets on account of its
poor quality. Speculation is blamed
/ for small receipts Of oats, though
/ transportation deficiency likewise
/ operates TO maintain this grain at
/ high levels. A fairly good export
| business prevails.
| Wholesale grocers find a ready
sale for their products with the
scarcity of material a actor Can
. Eers face high prices for sweet
corn, tomatoes, beans and the like.
] Volume is about normal and col
/ lections very satisfactory.
I The leather industry reports ex-
treme quiet in civilian business.
Government orders are keeping
some houses at capacity, while those
without government contracts are
slowing down with little promise for
the future. Heavy hides for govern
ment work are in strong demand.
Collections vary from good to ex-
3 cellent. Labor is not particular
| ~ commented upon.
Soft Corn Affects stock.
The live stock situation con-
tinues TO be affected by soft corn.
As reported, this has resulted in an
unprecedented demand for feeding
cattle and banks serving asgicul-
tural communities are experiencing
a brisk demand for funds Receipts
of animals at yards are somewhat
lighter, the quality apparently good.
1t is said that meatless days are at
fecting domestic demand, though
of course. foreign demand is very
active. one authority questions the
food value of soft corn and suggests
that this may tend TO bring inferior
products TO market. An agreement
recently reached between the food
administration and the railroads as
to hauling of live stock from pre-
scribed zones will regt late the vol
ume of receipts. Prices trend down
ward. Collections are good.
I'm the lumber business the car
shortage is acute but it Will worIA
no particular hardship at this time,
which is usually slow. Building
operations are practically at
standstill. Collections are fair.
"Shipbuilders are still employed
TO capacity and labor is scarce.
steel Industry Pushed.
The steel industry is working at
capacity to fill war orders Con-
structional steel is not in great de-
mand. Production of pig iron is
not keeping pace with orders and
there is some concern among con-
sumers Lack of transportation is
seriously affecting production 1t is
noteworthy that the month OF
November saw the smallest decrease
in United States steel untitled ton
mage (S,S97,1O6) since the decrease
began in May. 1917, from the high
point 12,1S3,0S3) in April, 1917. 1t
is believed that steel buyers have
given up hope of lower prices or
greater ability 10 fill orders.
Wool purchases are being made
for immediate requirements. Still
prices remain firm as imports are
curtailed owing to the unwillingness
of the importers to comply with re-
quirements of the trade council in
securing import licenses. This Will
cause encroachment on present
stocks"