The Topeka state journal., 1922-08-08
OUR BOOMING BUSINESS.

Despite the handicap imposed upon
business by the mine and railroad
strikes, Henry Clews, in his weekly
review takes an optimistio view of the
situation. He points out that the
continued Improvement of industrial
earnings, the wioing out of deficits.
the increase of current incomes and
volume of business testify to growth
in the prosperity of industry thruout
the country. Favorable prospects for
the autumn trade are to be noted in
practically all lines, and there is a
notably better trend in nearly all of
the staple commodities. their prices
improving quite distinctly, while those
of manufactured commodities con-
tinue to move upward steadily, altho
at only a moderate rate.
The demand for steel is still in
creasing, and steel conditions prac-
tically thruout the country have ac-
cordingly gone on bettering them
selves despite unsatisfactory earnings
statements by a few; Notwithstanding
the difficulties connected with the
fuel situation. Motor car business has
improved, as shown by the earnings
reports of leading companies. Reduc-
tions in the prices charged for cars of
certain standard makes says Mr..
Clews, will undoubtedly stimulate de-
mend even further. while there is lit
tie to indicate that it will disorganize
the market in any material degree.
The monthly bulletin issued by the
Federal Reserve bank of Kansas City
says:
A survey based on well authenti-
Gated reports which have appeared
month by month in the Review dis
closes that the first half of 1922, now
passed, brought remarkable improve
ment to the general situation thruout
the United States. And in no other
geographical division of the country
has this improvement been more pro-
nounced, or has better progress been
made, toward a return to normal
healthy and prosperous conditions,
than in the great southwest country
whose basic Industries of agriculture
livestock growing, petroleum produc-
ton. metal and coal mining, supply a
very large proportion of this nations
and the worlds necessities. Evil
dences of changed conditions that
have come in the past six months are
to be seen everywhere at this time
when the country is entering upon the
second half of the year. The only
tion, or possibly check the progress
toward national prosperity, are the
strikes of rail employees and coal min
ers, which, it is hoped, will soon be
adjusted satisfactorily for all interests
The agricultural and livestock in
terests, which suffered tremendous
losses thru the depreciation of values
of products and animals in 1920 and
1921, are in a more favorable position
at this time than for many months.
Farmers and breeders and feeders
have applied themselves energeticaIly
to the task of paying off Indebtedness
incurred during the period of initiation
Immediately following the war, deny
ing themselves all luxuries and many
comforts until, with favorable prices
and another big crop in sight, they
are reaping the reward of patient for
bearance and pluck, are buying again
the things they need and once more
are piling up deposit accounts in the
banks
Along with the fine progress made by
the agricultural and livestock interests
toward a return to highly prosperous
conditions, improvement has come to
practically all lines of trade and in
dustry. The mercantile reports are a
revelation of a healthy revival of re-
tail trade, while reports on manufac-
turing and distribution of goods and
merchandise, implements, machinery
and equipments of all kinds show
tremendously increased activity. These
interests have accepted losses due to
depreciation of values during the de-
flationary period, are again doing
business on practically normal basis,
and II is noted this district has suf-
fered fewer business failures and sus-
tanned smaller losses by business re-
verses than any other of the twelve
federal reserve districts.