The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-22
NEW ORLEANS.

New Orleans, March 22.-Weather
conditions have been favorable to
planting operations this week, and
great progress has been made in
this section in preparing the ground
for spring crops. Increased actiy-
ity in the agricultural sections IS
helping businesS and retailers are
buying more freely than they have
in a long time. Jobbers in nearly
every line report larger volume OF
bushes sand say that indications
point toward a well sustained trade
throughout the spring and summer,
although most Of the purchases
now are for immediate needs.
One notable feature OF the dry
goods trade has been the heavy pur-
chases of jobbers from surrounding
cities, in need of goods for prompt
shipment, who came here for their
supplies rather than wait for stocks
from the east. Retail trade is still
affected somewhat by in-between-
season conditions. Clothing and
ready-to-wear goods are moving
slowly. The best sales are in lin
ems and household furnishings.
General financial conditions
show a marked improvement in this
section, money is easier than at any
time for years, although there is a
good demand for new loans. De-
| posits are increasing steadily and
most of the local banks have paid
OF their rediscounts at the reserve
bank. There is active demand for
high class securities
CHICAGO.
Chicago, March %. = Winter
| weather has made the number Of
merchants gathering here for the
second spring buyers week" some
what disappointing but the Chicago
| Association of Commerce expects a
better response to its Al 900 invita-
tons when the first warm days ar
rive. The early arrivals have not
done much buying yet. They have
been spending their time studying
the big retail stores and window
displays. The stores timed their
displays to offer their new goods
with the formal arrival of spring
and started their heavy Easter
and spring advertisement cam
paigns simultaneously. Ready-to-
wear goods head the list of adver-
tised articles, but piece goods, fur
niture. house furnishings and gar
den tools are featured prominently
| Jobbers and wholesalers are
greatly encouraged by the number
of orders coming in. Business Is
| showing more signs of life each
day and statesmen are returning
with smiles on their faces and
orders in their books. They report
that orders are coming easier in
all parts of the Mississippi Valley
and that feeling among the mer-
chants everywhere is distinctly
better
Signs of building revival are be-
ginning to appear despite methods
of intimidation employed by the in
surgent unions who oppose enforce
ment of the Lands wage award.
PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, March 22.-Phila-
delphia is now looking forward TO
a period of great activity in pre-
pairing for the Sesqui-Centennial
Exposition. A site has been select
ed along the Schuylkill river and
work of permanent buildings along
the Parkway leading to this site
will be hurried. Throughout Penn
| sylvania, building construction
work is getting under way and it is
estimated that the building. pro-
grams now projected in various
| cities will involve the expenditure
of over 100000, 900 this year. Out
side this city, considerable factory
and industrial plant building is De
ing undertaken
| Active work will be in progress
| in the Delaware river for the next
six months in breaking up of three
battleShips, a cruiser and four moni-
tors for the navy. 1t is expected
the scrap steel from this work will
become a factor in the market.
The wool market here is active
and firm, textile mills are engaged
on orders which will keep them
running for some time. The leather
| market has improved somewhat and
shoe manufacturers are receiving
satisfactory for spring styles