The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-31
ST. LOUIS.


ST. Louis, Mo-, March 31.-Com-
MERGE while variable in some of its
manifestations continues to ex-
pand in volume throughout this sec
hon. Industrial plants are stocked
With coal sufficient for 40 days or
more and the certainty of general
coal strike is having no adverse eff
feet. In fact, there seems a dis
uosition to regard the strike not as
4 calamity but as one of the stabil-
ling factors of the business situa-
ton. Railroads are hauling heavy
coal tonnages today and there has
been a big movement of fuel to the
northwest, which relies largely
upon the Illinois field for coal.
Construction operations are null
tiplying with consequent invigora-
ton to the production of raw ma
terial and general manufacture.
Building activity is especially man.
fest in the smaller towns but is
spreading to the larger centers.
There is a strong tendency seen
throughout the south and west to-
eastern companies are purchasing
sites for branch factories or dis
tributing warehouses or are max
ing Investigations with such de-
Velopments in view Money is
easier and capital is seeking in
vestment. Wholesale and retail
business continues to be conducted
on conservative policy, however
DETROIT.
Detroit, Mich, March 31-T7ie
business outlook continues right
here. Reports of industrial i'm
provement which has been main
tanned steadily since Jan. 1, tell
the story accurately and there is no
sign of a change. The upward
trend is being felt in nearly every
manufacturing plant in lower
Michigan and the improvement is
not confined to the automobile in
dustry. Stove plants, and drug and
chemical companies are also stead
lily increasing production. Paint
works are feeling the pickup in
business and building permits is
sued are running close to the 1921
level.
Ford Motors Plants will soon
reach capacity production. Begin
ming with $4,000 cars in January
the March production will reach
approximately n, 900 and the April
schedule calls for $4,000 cars and
trucks. The tractor plant has in
creased output from 800 to 40C
tractors day. Approximately
10000 men now are employed in
the various Ford plants, compared
with 10000 in January.
The report of the Detroit EN-
ployers' association issued today
shows an increase in industrial
employment here this week of 4,S00
men to a total of $4,000. This
compares with 14O,000 at the end of
March, 1921. Members of the asso-
citation declare the increase is conf
ing from all lines of industry.
ATLANTA.
Atlanta, Ga, March 31-Collec-
tive buying of fertilizers in the
southeast is helping to solve one
of the most difficult problems of
the farmers, so far as the produc-
ton of cotton is concerned. 1t is
reported in many sections that a
saving of 30 per cent is being made
through this collective buying for
cash. 1t is intimated that many
farmers who have failed to satisfy
obligations hanging over from last
year are pooling their funds and
buying fertilizers in quantity. This
has operated to stimulate the fer
tilizer business and to put into
circulation money which has been
in retirement for months. Bank
ers report that whereas the demand
for money is usually very heavy in
the spring there has been a decided
slump in requests for loans this
year.
Intermittent showers occurring
almost daily have interfered ser
iously with the planting of cottor
and it is believed this will tend Il
curtail acreage and persuade farm.
ers to engage more extensively il
production of grain and other
crops. AS money crop, it is re
garded as certain that the farmer:
will place greater dependence or
peanuts than ever before. In many
sections quantities of peanuts are
being sowed on a guaranteed price
of $50 ton for the product.