Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-10

of July and August is the improved
credit position Of the carriers.
RAIL SECURITIES
IN BILLION GAIN.
Incidentally a person interested In such
things might observe what the advances
in the stock market value of railroad
shares and bonds in the last few months
measures. A computation shows an in
crease of a billion dollars in the market
values Of those securities.
Except as to cotton no major produc-
ton of the county has shown such
radical change suddenly as lumber. A
few months back it was deadly dull as to
demand. Today there is a comparative
ly strong market. Whether 1t is a flash
in the pan or the real thing remains to
be seen. On the Pacific coast inquiries
and orders are coming in volume Car
goes are going to the Orient, to the
AntipOdes, to Africa and to Latin-Amer-
lean. Japan is particularly heavy buyer.
The national railways of Mexico, is in
the market for lot of stuff The Brit
ish government bought largely for some
project in Egypt the order coming
through the admiralty. Inquiries from
the railroads are reported. One of the
largest exporters In America told the
present writer he did more business in
September than In any month In six
years and never knew orders to come
from so many parts Of the world at one
time
The crops are good, particularly in the
Northwest. The farmers are better off
financially than they expected from the
conditions earlier In the year. Fruit
growers west Of the Mississippi have
Jared particularly well. Those of the
East have had a disastrous year.
SHIPPING MAKES
BETTER SHOWING
Shipping shows better than expected
This applies to the Pacific. Asia is per
sistent buyer Of American -four and
American lumber. 1t would appear that
there either is q shortage of rice in
the Orient or that Asia is turning more
and more rice to -four
There is no sign of improvement in the
copper industry. Those best Informed
say it will take a year for the present
gigantic surplus to be reduced suffi-
GENTLY TO warrant production on an ex-
tended scale. Today copper production
in the great Porphyry district is on about
10 per cent basis.
Road building Is on a larger scale west
Oh the mississippi than ever before. The
main highways in many of the Western
States are much better than those of the
middle States. The Eesterners, particu
larry those of the mountain country
find good roads bringing profit in tourist
traffic and is reducing transportation
costs on many articles necessary to their
well being High railroad rates hurt in
the West and If there is not revision
soon the protest that will 20 Nd will
be heard throughout the land.
The apparent change for the better in
base Industries OF America-textiles, az.
riculture, transportation and steel. would
seem to warrant fair degree OF optim
ism, but the greatest change Of <aIl has
been in the mental attitude of the aver.
age man Of business. He has been a
man Of doubts and breads for many
months. That's passing. He has had
some bitter, very bitter, experiences and
is inclined to be a bit hesitant TODAY
about acting with his old assurance. but
his confidence is growing and with Il a
better appreciation Of sound business
principles.-Copyright, 1921, by Public
Ledger Company.