The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-12-31
BY r. w. CLEMENS

gage interest, ana unusually milo
weather with a green" Christmas all
contributed to q markedly improved
condition in North Dakota during
December and q widespread. healthy
optimism regarding business prospects
for the new year.
Increases OF from 20 to so per cent
in Christmas business was the general
rule In reports from scores of depart
ment store owners in all parts of the
state, only one concern noting a de-
crease. A year ago North Dakota was
covered with deep blanket of snow
while this Christmas golf tournaments
were staged in several cities of the
state and the youngster considered
himself fortunate who received toy
This unusually mild weather has
resulted in the savings of thousands
OF dollars in fuel bills and has been
Of great value to the livestock pro-
ducers of the state.
Although a few bank failures were
reported during the month, the coun-
try banks Of North Dakota at the
present time are in unusually good
shape. An examination of the state
ments of 100 representative country
banks shows no bills payable, average
deposits Of $255, 480 with cash on
hand Of $50, 1888, and bond holdings of
So, $50. Cash reserves amount to
more than 20 per cent of the total de-
posts, usually considered a safe figure
In banking circles, and these, with the
bond holdings, bring the total i'm
mediate liquid assets to practically so
per cent Of the deposits.
Sales Of life insurance during No
vember in North Dakota totaled
81, Al. 900, q falling off of Is per cent
from the sales of November, 1927.
Sales for the first eleven months Of
the year, however, are five per cent
greater than those for the same per-
Tod in 1927. which is just equal to the
average for the United States.
I'VE will do so per cent more bust
ness than a year ago in December"
is the statement from the A. w. Lu-
Gas company department store at
Bismarck. Our city has had healthy
growth, with many new homes built
during the past year. All our homes
and business properties are occupied. :"
Wheat prices fluctuated slightly
during the month with little net
change, and farmers are continuing
to hold their wheat and some other
small grain for more satisfactory
market. Although investment concerns
report farm mortgage interest collec-
lions to be very satisfactory and in
most cases ahead of last year, collec-
tions on other commercial paper is
slow.
Some acceleration in collections
during the next month or so is an
ttcipated from the sale of livestock,
IS many millions Of pounds Of pork,
beef and mutton will 60 to the market
during the coming month. In four
days 1T Cakes, $4,000 worth of tur-
keys were marketed according to Fred
D. Mccartney, investment banker.
Further liquidations of wheat hold
ings will be necessary before notes for
farm machinery. lumber, ETC., are paid
in any great quantity, however.
TAX sales December showed a con-
siderable reduction in western North
Dakota over those Of q year ago, but
were higher In the eastern part Of
the state.
Burleigh and williams counties re-
ported 26,774.e3 of taxes sold De-
cemher /, compared with $50, O66.5l q
year ago. Totals for Richland, Stuts-
man. Cass and Grand Forks, in the
eastern part Of the state were $751;
723.0l this year and $l20,983.64 q year
ago.
Warranty deeds issued in November
aggregated 533 In six counties COM
pared to SOS = year ago. Total mort
cages recorded for the month were
l3l and at respectively, although only
one county showed an increase.
Farm failures for November in this
state showed an impressive decrease
from November. 1927. Failures report
ed were % with liabilities Of 42lB, 500
and assets Of $78,235. For November,
1927, there were ~ failures, will, liza
bilitics Of @7oo,loo and assets Of $780,
336.
Bank clearings for November at
Fargo and Minot were 10 per cent
greater than the same month q year
ago, @l2.320.633 and $1l.O71, 1894 re.
spectively. Debts to individual &C
counts for five North Dakota cities
for the first two weeks in Decembe,
were e21.O33, 900. For the entire
month Of December, 1927, the total
Wns tS8 At 900.