The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1922-04-13
OUTLOOK GOOD

NACH OF Cne Twelve cSoSidi ne
II serve Banks issues monthly re-
ports covering business conditions In
ifs particular district. A resume for
March of the reports of the twelfth
district, which includes the Pacific
Coast states, indicates that the farm
ers are finding credit more readily
available as a direct result Of the adj
vancing prices for their products.
They can now get money in some in
stances at 6h%. Encouragement is
also given the agricultural population
by the continued downward trend in
the prices of commodities which they
purchased. Advances in prices are
not, however, of as much benefit to
the farmer as might appear ct first
glance, for the reason that he was
holding on March LIST only 10 per cent
of the 1921 wheat crop, whereas on
the same date of the previous year
he still held approximately 16 per
cent of the 1920 crop. Much of the
benefit, therefore, has gone to deal
ers who had purchased prior to the
advance in prices.
Hopeful signs of industrial revival
include a decrease in unemployment,
an increase in the amount of electric
power sold for industrial purposes and
the operation of lumber mills at ap-
proximately 85 per cent of capacity,
as compared with so per cent year
ago. The middle western states are
again coming into the market for Pa
cific coast lumber and this demand is
expected to increase as spring ad-
vances. Lowered costs of production
has enabled some resumption of min
ing activities. Building permits in 20
of the principal Pacific coast cities
for February 1922 show an increase
of Ia per cent over those of February
1921, while the value of February 1922
permits exceeds that of February 1921
permits by COS per cent.
Actual sales of merchandise, both
at wholesale and retail, are about the
same in volume as those for the same
period last year, with decline OF
from to 10 per cent in cash receipts,
due to lower prices.
Flour mills of the district operated
at 5O.4 per cent Of capacity in Feb
ruary as compared with 48.7 per cent
in January and 44.8 per cent in Feb
ruary 1921. This increase is partial
ly attributable to a stronger export
demand.
The 1921 apple crop Of the Pacific
Northwest, amounting to approxi-
mately $4,000 cars, has all been ship
ped, with the exception of 1000 cars.
Their movement was accelerated by
the higher price Of $3.50 per box for
the highest grades, an increase Of
from Is to so cents per box in VITO
months. A year ago the price was
$500 per box
Livestock is coming thru the win
ter in good shape due to ample sup
plies of cheap hay and favorable
weather conditions. These facts,
coupled with advancing prices, have
put this industry on much more
favorable basis. Heavy losses during
the winter Of 1919 and 1920 had not
been replaced on account Of the slump
in the market, and there is now an
actual scarcity of marketable animals.
For the first time in three years live
stock men are again feeling optimis-
tic. Raw wool is selling around 30
cents per pound, IS to 100 per cent
higher than the price paid for last
years clip. Wool men are also be-
ginning to see their way out. Prices
for sheep and lambs are also double