The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15

We are Setung nearer the proDaDlflty of such an occurrence. No one expects of course, no broad outbursts of busi- ness activity during midsummer weeks But may it not be significant that the number of price declines is decreasing and that the number tf price advances is increasing?
 Dun's records that last week there were 2S advances and 31 declines, the best showing in some time.
 Here is a headline from a Saturday morning newspaper:
 Stocks cotton, wheat, corn, lard, sugar, coffee all up in one day
 The week brought important develop nients of an encouraging nature. An impressive advance in sterling can be interpreted as referring increased out look for the adoption of the Dawes plan for expectation of an advance in Bank of England rate may have had some sentimental influence.
 Corn by far the most valuable of our agricultural crops, has reached q new top, even though the remarkably at .tractive price has been brought about : partly by unfayorable growing weather, the majority of farmers in the corn belt count on reaping the best profits since war-inflatsd prices disappeared.
 Wheat has continued to command the better quotations recently touched and So have oats. A dispatch from Kan sas City says:
 'The prosperity of the middle west is quickening with new life as the golden stream of Kansas wheat begins pouring through the arteries. The flow of new grain rapidly is being turned into cash"
 Cotton, after irregular fluctuations, has again risen very sharply in New York for July delivery. In fact the : Nwe: York market has all the earmarks of, a Squeezing process. The department of labor now reports an upward tendency in foodstuffs in general.
 The latest weekly report of carload ings shows a modest increase.
 Both stocks and bonds have again reached new peak for the year. While certain stocks unquestionably are be- ing manipulated by professional specu- lators there are diffeent indications that the public is showing interest In quiries received by the writer concern ing proposed purchases show a marked increase. -
 Both rails and industrials are looked upon with favor.
 Then, of course, the oversupply oi money is having it's effect on the bono market, since it has become difficult sometimes impossible, to put out funds on either call or time.
 Eurtharn,ora uavy eocrr;t,, oerar;nos al though quite numerous, continue to be rapidly absorbe,. on terms agreeable tc the borrowers. There has arisen a dis tihctly stronger tendency to give due consideration to the favorible flea lures tof the situation. Pessimism is giving way to optimism in responsible circles.
 The presidential nominations are ac ceptable to our financial and busine. leaders in the east. Both Calvin Cool idge and John w. Davis are regarded as possessing full knowledge of the i'm portance of encouraging rather than up setting business and employment.
 LaFollette's activities were causing uneasiness, but since the farmer-labo party has come out against him the dan ger of serious disturbance is viewed al having diminished.
 The, reasoning adopted by republican men of affairs is that LaFollette i; likely to attract more democratic thar republican votes.
 Consequently our business and finan cial leaders may not wait until Novem Der before exercising a greater measur, of confidence and enterprise.
 The least satisfactory dvelopment hal been. the reduction of employment in , number of industries and some expan sion of export operations. The mos satisfactory developments has been tn, improvement in the agricultural prices Our farmers are today receiving sub stantially more profitable returns thal they were receiving a year ago for sucl commodities as wheat, corn, oats, rye cattle; pigs, lard, butter and eggs.