Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-11-03
U. S. PROSPEROUS
DESPITE STRIKES,
Rep 0RTS SHOW
Strong Demand for Commodi-
ties, verging Upon Reck-
lessness in Buying, Noted '
by Reserve Board.

Washington, Nov. 2.-Despite' dis
turbed industrial conditions, great
prosperity obtains generally over
the country, according to reports
for October received by the federal
reserve board from its agents in
the several districts. A strong de-
mand for commodities, verging at
times upon recklessness in buying,
was noted in practically all sections
Summarizing the reports, the
board in statement made public
today said the labor situation oc-
cupied a position of primary i'm
portance, with an increasing degree
Of general unrest over the country.
"The steel strike, which has been
long drawn out, though with pro-
duction we'll maintained" said the
summary, SIS apparently approach
ing its end The strike has not in
recent weeks seriously hampered
production.
More serious, perhaps, in its pos
sibilities than any other labor dis-'
turbance is the coal mine strike.
rCWCI HStudl olAhCos
Hopeful indication in the labor
difficulty is the fact that in some
districts smaller number of actual
strikes, or smaller number of men
out of work as result of strikes, is
reported. ;.
dustrial situation is seen in the ex-
istence of widespread condition of
industrial and social unrest, and
while disturbances growing out of
strikes have not increased during
the month, prospects for a growth
in this direction have been such as
to cause some anxiety.
Summing up district labor situa-
tons, it would appear that in the
New England region, there is no
general or serious dislocation of
working relationships, although
there is unusual caution among en-
ployers, while in Philadelphia but
little disturbance has been expert
enced. Conditions in the south, at
Atlanta and adjacent region, are
fairly satisfactory, while in Mime
apoiis and the northwest there is
full employment at good wages.
Unrest exists in New York and Chi
cago, while the labor situation in
the southwest and on the Pacific
coast is still unsettled"
Crop Returns Good.
Crop returns were reported as
good nn most sections and even
where decline in output has brought
the total yield below the forecasts
record prices have augmented the
money returns in spite of the de-
creased volume.
There has been no decline in
general manufacturing, while prices
continue firm" said the summary.
THE upward movement of trade
usually noted in the autumn was in
evidence during the month, while
speculative activity has been extern
sive and is reaching dangerous
levels.
Commodity prices show a recess
/, sion from the high levels reached
during August.
SALES, both wholesale and retail,
in many sections. are reported to
be in excess of those for previous
months and for the same period
last year. Stocks of both whole
salers and retailers in leading lines
are running low, and complaint is
being made of difficulty in obtaining
merchandise. The demand for high
grade goods continues.
Corn Outlook Better.
an agriculture there has been a
further increase in the estimated
yield of corn as against small de-
creases for spring wheat and oats.
Both wheat and oats show low yield
per acre and the quality is poor.
"A continuance of building activ-
ity is reported. Labor difficulties
and shortage and high cost of con-
struction, both tor labor and mate
rial, have continued to be retarding
factors. Continuance of a satisfac-
tory amount of building throughout
the winter is predicted.
"Official figures for the month of
September show decrease to $16l,-
100000 in the export balance from
the figure of $338,900,000 for the
month of August. This is the low.
est figure for any month since July,
1917.
Large decreases in exports are
shown for meats, chiefly bacon,
hams, shoulders and lard, and raw
cotton, the September exports of
the latter article being so per cent
less in quantity than the month be
fore. On the other hand, exports OF
breadstuffs, mainly flour and wheat
were larger, both in quantity and
value, than for the preceding two
months"