Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1921-02-18


 STOCKS-Some of the uncertainty which surrounded the business situa. tion at the end of the old year has passed away ,and number that were closed last December, have re-opened with others planning to do so in the near future. This applies to the auto mobile and tire industry, and state ments given out by the larger cor. porations would indicate that the de- pression had about run it's course, and a more favorable prospect for the flu ture was anticipated.
 The Steels and Coppers are now free from the imitation of prices and expanded demand that marked the last four years ,and are the last of the large industries to swing into line It is true that as yet there is very little improvement noticeable in either the copper or steel trade, but with general business showing an improved tone, the demand for the metals will soon make itself known, and prices have been cut to a point where the buyer will not hesitate to take hold.
 One of the last commodities to feel the reduction in price is the Oils, both crude and refined. Reduction of pe- troleum prices have come rapidly in the last fortnight, both in the East and Middle West. California prices have not as yet felt the cut, and they are not expected to show much of a decline, if any, as prices for Califor- mia oils are far below Eastern prices, and even with the cut in the East, the freight rates are too high to permit of any oil coming to the Coast.
 Sentiment in general has improved, with moderate recovery in some lin es, such as Textiles and Leather Goods, and while there is considera- ble number of unemployed throughout the country, the feeling is that condi- tions will improve from now on, or as soon as spring begins.
 Banking interests take a more op- timistic view, and lean toward the thought of a gradual improvement, which will make sure the foundation for the next period of industrial pros perity.
 The most important news, in our opinion, is the Anglo French Agree ment on German reparation terms; first: the requirements that the pay ment be made in gold; and second, the time interval allowed. The first dis poses of the theorists who have been advocating some new standard of values, and the second gives Germany fair chance to make good. We re- gard the decision on the gold standard as extremely important. This meas ure of value has it's defects, but it is the best one we have, and is going to stabilize confidence in important quar- ters where some fear was at one time entertained that a departure might be made into the realms of a new fangled thought, which has already created enough for this country and the world generally.
 There are very few railroad state ments out, but those that have made their appearance show an improve ment in their net, and corresponding decrease in operating expenses.
 Speculative trade has been rather slow of late in the security market. The quick advance following the close of last year has put the market up to level where most traders believe the market should rest for while or until actual conditions show the improve ment predicted by those in close touch with business conditions.
 We look for a narrow market for the time being, but believe that stocks should be bought when prices are manipulated down, as they are from time to time, by the professional trad CTS.
 RAILROAD STOCKS-The declar- ation of the Interstate Commerce Commission in their annual report that the immediate payment to the railroads of sums due them from the Government, under the guaranty pro- visions of the Transportation Act, was vital, in order that the railroads may properly serve the public, and the rec ommendation of the Commission that Congress amend the Transportation Act to permit the release and payment to the roads of the money thus tied m by A ruling of the Controller of the Treasury, has been acted upon fav- orably by the introduction in the House of Representatives of the Win slow Bill, which construes the exist ing law in the same way it has been construed by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and directs the U. s. Treasury to make partial payments of the Governments indebtedness to the