Evening star., 1919-11-02
PROSPERITY RE|GNS
OVER i. S. DESPITE
INDUSTRIAL UNREST

: ceives Reports From
, Agents for October.
Great prosperity obtains generally
over the United States, notwithstand-
ing disturbed industrial conditions,
reports received for october by the
Federal Reserve Board from its agents
in several districts stal Strong de-
mand for commodities. sometimes
verging upon recklessness IN buying,
was noted in practically all sections.
The board in a statement summarize
ing the reports made public last night
said the labor situation occupied
position of primary importance, with
aA increasing degree OF general un-
rest over the country.
The steel strike. which has been
long drawn out, though with produc-
ton we'll maintained" said the sum-
mary, is apparently approaching its
end. The strike has not in recent
ton"
More serious. perhaps. in its pos
Uibilities than any other labor dis
turbance Is the general coal mine
strike.
."Hopeful indication in the labor
difficulties is the fact that in some
districts a smaller number of actual
strikes. or smaller number of men
out of work as q result of strikes, Is
reported.
i (. Cause Some Anxiety.
dlstrial situation is seen in the ex-
isfence of q widespread condition of
Industrial and social unrest, and while
disturbances growing out of strikes
have not Increased during the month,
prospects for q growth in this direc-
ticn have been such as to cause some
anxiety.
tipns, 1t would appear that in the New
England region there is no general or
9grfous dislocation Of working rela-
although there Is unusual
caution among employers. while in
hna S.ap but little dst1rnsnfe
the south. At Atlanta and the adjacent
region. are fairly satisfactory, while
in Minneapolis and the northwest
there Is full employment at good
wages. Unrest exists in New York and
Chicago. while the labor situation in
the southwest and on the Pacific coast
10 Sttn unsettled.
!; Returns Reported as Good.
Crop returns were reported as good
In most sections, and even where de-
cline In output has brought the to-
tai Yield below the forecasts, record
prices h have .,;,u ansme1ssd 9ss the money re-
There has been no decline in gen
ef1l manufacturing, while prieaS con-
tinue arm." said the summary. "Ths
Upward movement Of trade usually
durilg the month. while speculative
activity has been extensive and 10
reaching dangerous levels. !
Commodity prices show . recassion
rom the high levels rsaeheds during
saies both wholesale and retail, in
many soections are reported to be In
sxce8e of those for previous months
and for the same period last year.
ers In leading lines are, fxnntng low
and e6mplaint ID being. flaad6 81 dtiYis
cu1ty in obtaining merchandise. The
demand for hish-xrades goods con-
Increased Corn Yield.
I'm agriculture there has been =
further. increase in the estimated yield
OF corr. rs against small decreases for
and oats show low yield per acre and
the quality is poor. s, !,
"a continuance Of building activity
10 reported Labor dificulties, and
shortage and high cost Of constrac-
tioD. both for labor and material have
Contihued to be retarding factors.
Continuance Of a satisfactory amount
q building throughout the winter ID.
somcisi figures for the month Of
9eptember show q decrease to $1e1,-
1ee.e0o in the export balance from the
Of August This is the lowest fisure
for any month since July. 1917. =
Large decreases IN exports are
shown for meats. chiefly bacon, hams.
shoulders and lard and raw cotton.
TIE September exports OF the latter
Qeautfty than the month before IN
the other hand exports Of breadstuffe 4
mainly hour and wheat, were lareer.
Cotn IN quantity and value, than for
the preceding two months.s
Reports by Districts.
Msports by districts included tie
REchmond-Crop returns. owinr tn
tne nigh prices realized. have been
1ognoant, business is active and "un-
1eyerable factors have had little
deterrent effect"
Atlanta General business conti-
TOM show no outstanding change"
ana fau retail trade is opening up in
lafre volume" although both corn
An4 cotton crops are poor.
St Louis-Most lines of wholesale
ana retail business show increases
ovG the corresponding period in 1918
and optimism still prevails"
DSLlas-There is IAN auspicioua
opening OF fall activities in ali lines
OF trade. the Disappointing outlook
for cptton is offset BY excelient vieIds
ndAdequate prices realized on other
farm products, the production Of the
oil 1elds Is steadily increasing and
conqttions on the whole are sound
ana prosperous"