The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-10-03

cent above the August, l9l/, record
on cattle ~ per cent above on hogs,
and o. per cent above on sheep. with
heavy war orders the packers are
increasing the meat output in about
the same proportion.
Mining.
Further reduction in tonnage OF
ore produced in Colorado is report.
ed. Gold operators say 1000 more
miners are needed to make produc-
tion normal, and they are looking
for additional reduction OF their
forces in the new draft. A number
of mines may be forced to close. a
wage increase, effective September !,
is also having a depressing influence
on small mines, the operators CON
tending the margin of profit is too
narrow.
The demand for lead increases,
with the premium price reaching
SlO4.S0 this month, and SlOO as the
basis. There is less Of "A demand for
zine ore. sales OF zinc blende rang
ing from $50 to 500 In the Missouri
Kansas Oklahoma field turnins made
the first half OF September one OF the
best two-wecEs periods OF the year.
improved transportation condl-
tiouS and 4 somewhat better labor
situation at the mines have slightly
increased the coal output, but the
Improvement offers no assurance the
supply viii be ample when winters
pinch comes,
Petroleum.
Renewed activity is seen in prac-
ticaIly every field in this district.
Operators are attempting, under dif-
dculties, to bring production up TO
the demand. More than 800 wells
were shut down in mid-August be
cause oi inability to obtain water
Tor their operation, but these condi-
lion, have been practically eliminat-
el.
rhc Kansas output in August was
slightly below that of July, but Q per
cent better than August of last year.
Oklahoma was 10 per cent short in
production compared with the same
month last year. Wyoming main
tanned steady pace with tendency
toward a good increase in the years
output.
Completed wells in August we're
AZ more for the three states than
in the same month of 1917, but new
production fcll of 22,740 barrels daily
capacity No wells of the gusher
class were brought in and there was
a larger pc, cent OF dry holes and
gasSers. At the beginning of Sep
tembcr, wells drilling were lS49 in
Oklahoma, 49l in Kansas. and 22l
in Wyoming.
Building and Construction.
Inspectors in the principal cities
OF this district report little work in
progress or in early prospect except
that which is clearly indispensable.
Permits in number were Y per cent
less than in August, 1917, but so
per cent less money was required for
their construction. The tendency is
toward smaller buildings and re
pairs until the war is ended. Munic-
ipal improvements and general con-
struction are in like manner and
proportion subordinate TO the war.
Aside from supplying government
needs there is little activity i'll the
number trade. Building hardware
and other materials are restricted in
supply by demands for government
use.
Labor.
September finds few strikes and
wage controversies in this section,
and these OF a local character. But
the man-power shortage is keenly
acute. Government agencies are
classifying labor for distribution
among essential industries. State
labor bureaus, commercial bodies
and manufacturing associations are
cooperating, hoping to relieve the
situation. Nebraska reports calls
for 0692 men and 36l7 places filled;
Wyoming calls for 1915 men and
l20 places filled, New Mexico about
the same, with the added report that
many men have lett the state to
work in shipyards and other indus
tries on account OF high wages Of
fercd. Colorado is working hard to
adjust the labor supply problem with
show Of success, but still needs
1000 more miners. The Missouri,
Kansas, Oklahoma lead, zinc and
coal fields are short OF men. Oil op-
orators have appealed TO the Oil Di-
vision for a ruling on the policy to
be pursued in drafting men for these
essential industries, as they are un-
able TO figure on future production
until they know what the draft is
going to do to them.
Mercantile.
Wholesale and retail merchants
report an active business this month.
The difficulty OF obtaining supplies
is increasing, owing to the divert
ing of essentials to war channels, but
patrons are taking what they can get
without complaining. With such
conditions retailers are able to clean
up stocks on hand at good prices.
Department stores report trade sur
prisingly large, while in dry goods
and shoes il is especially good on me-
dunn lines. The millinery trade is
active with liberal country orders.
Demand for mems clothing and fur
nishings is less this fall than the