Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1919 — Business Veering Slowly to Normal [ARTICLE]

Business Veering Slowly to Normal

Federal Reserve Board Makes Public Summaries of Report*

The federal reserve board has made public summaries of reports from federal reserve agents throughout the country in answer to a questionnairerecently sent out to ascertain the extent of business and industrial readjustment The report showed in general large stocks on band by manufacturers and dealers and a lessened demand, with prices decreasing in many cases. A typical example of the reports from industrial districts was afforded by the tabulation of replies to questions from business concerns in the Philadelphia federal reserve district. These questions and classified replies were as follows: Are the quantities of materials, supplies and goods as shown by your last inventory larger than usual? Yes, 114; no, 129. Are they principally for war or civilian business?' War work, 20j_ civilian business, 221. Have the prices of your product been lower recently from the high prices prevailing during the war? Yes’, 148; nd, 93. Is labor more abundant? Yes, 225; no, 21. ' - Is labor less restless? Yes, 147; no, 91. l ls there less re-employment? Yes, 186; no, 62.’ Is labor more efficient? Yes, 90; no, 142. Has there been any lowering of wages? Yes, 17; no, 228. Are you paying less for raw materials? Yes, 131; no, 89. Have you a satisfactory amount of orders on hand ? Yes, 81; no, 150.