The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-07
THE NORTHWESTERN BANKS

Che excellent authority communl- .cated yesterday with his New York telling among other things the conditions of the banks in the northwest. He should know whereof he speaks, because he is oe high authority in the federal reserve system. He reports that the strain upon all banks in the federal reserve district of the northwest has been and continues to be necessity of carrying the remainder of the last years crop and second to the unusual demand ere ated by spring planting operations. Nevertheless, the banks of the north west are encouraged by the reports which they have received from that entire agricultural district. In area 1t is as large if not larger than any other agricultural district in the United States. Although tho Washington au- thorities have sent out somewhat de- pressing reports of the promise of the crops, especially wheat, nevertheless on the other hand from the northwest comes the statement that crop condi- tions are very promising. There spring wheat which represents the great bulk of production of that grain in the northwest has been well seeded and with the exception of some of the poorer lands upon which spring wheat was planted. now promises an excellent harvest.
 Perhaps the quality of the wheat to be harvested will to some extent off set the falling off in acreage, for in the northwest the acreage planted to spring wheat is at least 15 per cent less than that of last year. Then again some apprehension during cul- tivating and harvest time may arise owing to the shortage of farm labor.
 Sometimes it has been said that not Withstanding the congestion upon the railroads throughout the west ana northwest, it nevertheless should be possible to transport commodities in large amounts by means or the water route. The Great Lakes were open to navigation early in May, but never has the navigation of them been so inter- rupted as is the fact today. This has been in part due to railroad strikes as well as to some strikes at the lower lake ports. The result has been thai many boats are tied up and have dis charged their crews, not being able to operate on account of the lack of coal. The great steel plants at Gary and in Ohio and in Pennsylvania are likely to be somewhat embarrassed so far as production or output Is concerned, be- cause of these transportation condi- tions upon the lakes The shipment of ore down the lakes is reported to De only aDOut one-hall or normal shlp- ments. Duluth and Superior City are now receiving not more than 20 per cent of the amount of coal they re- ceived year ago. We are told on nigh authority that on the first of May 1919. the coal docks at Duluth and Superior City carried nearly 2,500000 tons of coal. On May l, of this year not more than 300,000 tons of coal were upon these docks.
 Last year there were shipped through the lakes from Duluth and Superior City nearly S00.000 tons of ore in April. whereas this year the amount shipped was only 224000 tons.
 Far away in the Black Hills, the mining companies are marking time If the gold miners of the United States cont rue to experience the embarrass- ments which they now suffer. the pos& siblities are strong that the output