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Show BUSINESS AND TRADE. The presence of tho Legislature has a somewhat disquieting effect upon various forms of business. Tho liquor interest is a heavy one in this city, and it is fearful of interruption; the food combine is afraid of being investigated; and the. public service commission, appointed ap-pointed by Governor Spry, may havo duties, responsibilities, and authority vested in it by tho Legislature that will disturb trade generally. And thoro is a fooling of apprehension quite prevalent preva-lent in business circles with Tcspect to what tho Legislature may do, and this has its depressing effect upon the activity ac-tivity of trade. An event of tho week has been tho State Poultry Exhibit, which is tho best ever had, so far as the showing of chickens is concerned. But it is weak in other poultry, the turkc, goose, and duck departments failing. But great advances have been made in the chicken industry in this State, and good money is mado out of that business all the time. The exhibit was one decidedly creditable credit-able to the chickeu fanciers, and it is likely to give added impulso to tho raising of standard and suporior chickens chick-ens throughout tho Stato. Tho building permits for tho month of Januarj' show an enormous incrcaso over those issued in January last year. The permits have a valuo closely approaching approach-ing $-100,001). and this activity at this early and unfavorable season indicates a renewal with the spring of tho tremendous tre-mendous energy that was so manifest throughout this city last year. In spite of tho hundreds of dwellings that wero constructed, tho year showed tho demand de-mand for houses unabated, and many waiting the construction of new dwellings dwel-lings so they could get in. All this proved beyond doubt the great growth of the city during the 3'ear, and the fact that tho building record for 1907 was such a vast increase over that of 1906 speaks with added forco from tho fact that 1906 was a record year itself. It is tho hopo of builders that the construction construc-tion of a Stato Capitol may be authorized. author-ized. . Tho general trado in this city during the week has been very strong and active. ac-tive. The bank clearances Tcturn an increase over tho clearances of tho corresponding cor-responding week last year of 51.7 per cent; which is an astonishing increase, all things considered. The bank clearances clear-ances of this city for tho week ending January 16th, showed an approximate equality with tho clearances of the like week in 1907, which is something that can be said of very few cities in the United States. In real estato tho markdt is firm, with good sales and with an optimistic outlook out-look for real estato holdings in Salt Lake. But many of tho real estato men appear to take tho threat of prohibition very seriously, and consider that the passage of a prohibition law would bo a scvero blow to Salt Lake City; Judgo Colborn especially voices this viow, and the real estato men at their meeting last night showed marked apprehonsion on this scoro. Tho mining interests of tho State are rapidly regaining their former activities, activi-ties, and the opportunities for blackmailing black-mailing lawsuits against the smelters aro passing away. So that this cloud upon the mining industry of Utah is likely to be lifted for good. The rapid extension of the Western Pacific and the active pushing of work at critical points shows a determination on tho part of the Wcstorn Pacific company com-pany to fulfil its official promise of having its through lino completed between be-tween this city and San Francisco during du-ring tho present year. At tho same time, cucouraging news comes from Colorado of tho pushing of tho Moffat road LowurdK this citv. It is confident ly expected that work on this line through tho Uintah country and tho hoavy work through tho divido between the Duchesne and the Provo rivers will bo undertaken the present ycar. Tho way is open also for work bringing tho road directly to this city down Emigration canyon (perhaps by way of a tunnel through Littlo Mountain), which would be in tho naturo of a considerable con-siderable cut-off as compared with the announcement hitherto that the road was to be built down the Provo and thenco back to this city by way of the Jordan Narrows. Another substantial deposit of snow in tho hills during the week has reinforced rein-forced tho conf idenco already felt in the ample quantities of snow in tho hills, assuring plenty of water for a good season tho coming summer. There will be ample water for all purposes, and everything forecasts a phenomenally good year in every department of farming farm-ing nnd stock raising. In the country at large the only apprehension ap-prehension noted in tho commercial reports re-ports is the unsettled future with regard to tariff action by Congress. Trade is reported quiet, and yet with fair activity ac-tivity in the wholesale and jobbing trado. The iron and steel conditions aro reported especially dull, with uncertainty uncertain-ty as to future prices. The rumor that independent, steel plants aro about to reduce prices and that tho United States Steel corporation will maintain its rates, seems a good deal like a farce; for if the independent steel plants can sell at lower rates and aro independent of the protection afforded by the tariff, then 'surely tho United States Steel corporation's corpora-tion's contention that it cau get along without the tariff but that the small concerns cannot, is utterly vitiated by the announcement referred to. The stock market remains quiet and weak; this doubtless largely because of tho threats of legislation by Congress Con-gress on the tariff and otherwise. Industrial In-dustrial stocks will to a very large extent bo affected by any tariff legislation, legis-lation, and as long as there is uncertainty uncer-tainty on this matter there will be nothing doing worth while in the market. mar-ket. There havo been several millions of gold exported, but this causes no uneasiness, un-easiness, because thore is more than an abundanco of money in cverj lino of need. The New York banks hold largoly in excess of the resorves required, end tho effort now in direct contrast with conditions at this time last, year, is not to get monej" for use, but what use money can be put to that is on hand and earning nothing. Tho restoration of business confidence and prosperity received a good boost through the heavy crops of the past year. And with abundant crops in the coming season there would socm to be no reason why tho old-timo prosperity should not be upon us again. |