The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-03
Conditions Show Steady I'm
prOvement Says Review.
Bank CIearings for October
Show Big Increase.
REIMBURSEMENT is SLOW
Exports of Merchandise Valued
at 346 Millions.
Business Failures Total 1,76O
for One Month.

Business conditions are slowly re-
adjusting themselves and steady i'm
provement is shown in most lines of
business during the last few months,
according to the letter on trade con-
ditions as issued by the Kansas Re
serve State bank Of Topeka. The let
ter under date Of December 1, shows
an October advance in bank clearings
as compared with September, but in
all business comparisons 1921 condi-
tons are below the standards of a
year ago.
One of the startling features OF the
report is the showing of substantially
100 per cent increase in business fall
ures. The total for October was 1850
as against 1903 the previous month
and s92 for October, 1920. The re-
port is encouraging but does not hold
out hope for immediate return to nor
NAL conditions as prevailed in 1890.
The report is in part as follows:
1.-THE readjustment in the business
situation Is going on slowly as was to
be expected. The totals given in this
report, however, are clear indication
of the trend of business events and
the improvements noted in basic lines
are encouraging.
Increase in Bank Clearings.
Bank clearings at the principal
cities for October totaled 80 billion
dollars compared with % billion dol
lars the previous month and 80 billion
dollars year ago. ClearingS exclu-
sive of New York City were 4 billion
dollars compared with 10 billion dol
lars a month ago and Is billion dol
lars a year ago. Clearings for ten
months we're 293 billion dollars COM
pared with 37s billion dollars for the
corresponding months of last year, the
decrease being % per cent.
Exports of merchandise during
October were valued at 346 million
dollars compared with 326 million dol-
lars the month before and ISL million
dollars a year ago. Imports were 1oS
million dollars compared with 1tS mil
lion dollars the previous month ana
1888 million dollars year ago, leaving
& balance of trade in our favor TOT
the month of 1873 million dollars COM
pared with 146 million dollars a month
before and 41S million dollars year
ago, Merchandise exports Tor ten
months were 3.S9S million dollars
compared with 6,sS1 naillion dollars
the previous year and imports Were
2O56 million dollars compared with
6s1 million dollars last year, leaving
ms a favorable balance of trade for the
ten month of over 1.S42 million dol
lars compared with 2,14O million dol.
lars for the corresponding period Oh
1920. ,4.z-.,.
4 100 business Failures in OCTOBER.
..Rusiness failures during October
numbered 1.76O, the highest months
REGARD for the year since January
which compares with 1908 failures ~
September and only Sg2 in october OF
last year. Liabilities of the failed con
Germs were so million dollars com
pared with 81 million dollars the pre-
vious month and 81 million dollars III
october of last year. ...1,,-sa-
"Diyidend and interest disburse-
,,ents for November will amount 10
94S million dollars compared with 90
rIsllion dollars the previous month any
24g million dollars in November VI
last year. Dividends Will account 80 ~
,,sred with over 81 million dollars last
YEAR. while interest payments viii Ds
NEARLY 1856 million dollars compares
with over 1871 million dollars a year
nnO"