Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-12
THE GENERAL BUSINESS FIELD.

Relatively few reports now fall to
reflect distinct betterment on condi-
tons, following a winter of exceptional
business, and conspicuous instances
severity and general dislocation OF
| business. and conspicuous instances
appear of reviving activity at sharply
rising prices.
While not a few foodstuffs have log
! ically become cheaper with the chang
| ing season. and tho certain other mar
kets disclose easing for different rea-
sons. most raw materials and finished
products are either fully sustained at
high levels OF still tend upward, and
there is no difficulty in selling some
! commodities at almost any figure.
With the continuing relief from the
congestion in transportation, the re-
covery in manufacturing makes more
rapid Roadway and outputs are APP
preciaMy augmented; but where gov
eminent needs monopolize an in
creasing percentage of mill capacity
urgent efforts to cover regular require
ments ar in som cass impelled by
fears that the paucity of supplies
available for civilian uses may be ac-
ceutuated, and there is some specula-
tive buying in anticipation of further
price advances. Recognition Of the
fact that some classes of merchandise
may later be more costly also stimu-
lates purchasing by consumers, and
not only has the recent development Of
milder weather benefited conditions
gnerally. but accompanying rainfall
has improved crop prospects in vari-
Gus sections.
Yet there are still many drawbacks
in the situation, and in about all its
branches business is coming more
completely under the domination OF
the growing restrictions of the war
period. This is evidenced both in di-
minished foreign commerce movements
and in declining BANK clearings at some
leading centers, notwithstanding the
highest average prices Of modern
tins.
Chicago.-Fo the first time in two
months, business conditions this week
were near to normal, or at least as
near to that state as they are likely
to be while the war continues. A toucn
of real spring weather spurred retail
traffic, orders to wholesalers again ex-
ceeded the heavy volume at this time
last year, congestion, which har been
felt severely by many industries be-
cause of coal and supply shortage,
showed great Glninution and the rail-
road blockade was ali but lifted.
Philadelphia-A more cheerful feel
ing has accompanied the advent Of
mildr wether, and retail trade has
picked up considerably in the leading
lines during the past week. Whole
salers have also benefited, and while
much conservatism is evident among
buyers, there seems to be more conf
dence prevailing as regards the out
look.
nneapolis-There mas been no
material change in wholesale and re-
tail business conditions during the
past week The volume Of trade in
most lines is equal to tnar Of the cor
responding period last year, and re-
ports from jobbers indicate that mer-
chandise stocks are in good shape
thruout the northwest.
Spokane-Leading jobbing concerns
in most staple lines report a satisfac-
tory volume of business for the month
Of February, as contrasted with the
previous year, and representative city
retail concerns experienced an unus-
ually brisk trade during January, the
business for February fell off to some
extent Taken as a whole, business
continues in large volume, owing to
quite an extent to abnornally high
price levels. Collections are good.