Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-23
FEDERAL BANK
SHOWS A LARGE
Gain this YEAR
Political Campaign and InfIu-
enza Epidemic Cause but
Little Check in Bust
ness for October.

The Federal Reserve bank of the
Tenth district which has a branch
in Omaha, did a record business
during October of this year, accord
ing to bulletin issued by Chairman
Ramsay, of the board of directors.
The bulletin has to do with the f.
nancial affairs of the fifteen clearing
house cities in the district and
shows that the actual cash transac-
tons aggregated $l.63l 5l7,258, as
compared with $1,397, l0S54l during
the corresponding month of last
year.
During the 10 months ending
with October 81, the total clearings
of the banks within the district ag-
gregated $l4.l65,49S 600, as COM
pared with $1,000, l33,0O0 during the
same period of last year.
Chairman Ramsay calls attention
to the fact that the political cam
paign during the fall, and the raw
ages of inhu1~za caused slight
check in business. He points with
pride to the fact that the district
oversubscribed its quota on the
fourth Liberty loan approximately
$35,000 600, besides having raised an
immense sum for United War work.
Neither this, nor the peace talk pre-
ceding the cessation of hostilltles
lessened tie business perceptibly.
Big DENT I'd for Farm Loans.
All over the district, according to
the bulletin, the demand for farm
loans continues strong and rates OF
interest remain firm. He predicts
that during the coming year and
perhaps longer the government fl
nancing plan that is , be applied
throughout the country and abroad
will continue a strong factor. Bank
ers are urged not to overlook this
fact.
1t is predicted that the transition
from war to peace basis will be
gradual and that the conservation OF
credit, as we'll as continued thrifty
habits of the people are vitality es-
sential, not only to the United
States, but to the reconstruction of
the devastated countries of Europe.
Summing up the business situa-
ton. Chairman Ramsay says;
Building operations continue in
active, but the prospect of an early
release OF labor and materials by
the slowing down of government
work and the return of the soldiers
from Europe offers encouragement
for a resumption of activities in all
lines of construction. While lum-
Der manufacturers are hopeful of en-
larging production, retail dealers
are anticipating a rapid improve
ment in their trade on account OF
the demands for materials for long
neglected farm improvements and
housing Improvements in cities. Re
lease of steel and cement is also eX-
pected to cause a resumption of mu-
nicipal construction and Highway
building, although the impression
prevails that this class of work will
be slow returning to normal be-
cause of the necessity of carrying
out the ship and harbor program
which is limiting the supply of these
materials for other than govern
ment work.
Adding to the labor shortage,
October and the first half of No
vember saw serious complications
resulting from a general epidemic of
Spanish influenza among all classes
of workers throughout the district.
No branch of industry escaped. The
mines were especially disorganized.
many men being incapacitated from
one to two weeks. In many cases
it was difficult to maintain opera
tons. Factories and large industrial
plants were affected in the same
way and in the same proportion.
Men, on returning to their work,
proved unequal to their former
tasks.
Business continues very active
except in building materials and
tools. In other lines a promising
increase continued through October
and November to date with an up
ward trend. Especially marked is
the increase in textiles and furnish
ing goods. Dealers say that men
subject to draft, not knowing with
certainty the day they would be
called, had postponed the purchase
of clothing, but cooler weather re-
suited in last minute purchases OF
wearing apparel regardless of when,
if at all, htey might be called. A
stimulating influence to trade in
women's wear, household supplies
and holiday goods, has resulted
from increased earnings of women,
large numbers having taken the
places of men now in the service
and becoming wage-earners for the
first time. Increased earnings OF
heads of families also has contrib
uted to the volume of this trade.
Precautionary health measures, due
to the epidemic cut down sales to
an extent but only temporarily post
poned the buying. Drugs are very
active. The grocery trade continues
heavy, especially in those things
which can be put away for winter
use"
Aid for Men Blinded in War