Show THE OUTLOOK there has been quite a general improvement pro in the business conditions of the country during the past two weeks and a brightening of the outlook there are several things which give a brighter outlook that the recovery from the panic and industrial depression is growing well is shown by the fact that the october dividends were more than in 1907 they were the interest payments were more than sixty three millions as compared with sixty millions in 1907 and fifty seven millions in 1906 the investment barometer has reached at a higher point than the mark shown two weeks ago the manipulators political scare was of short duration and did not greatly disturb financial affairs the present however is a waiting period and there will not be a very active market again until the records of november 3rd ard are closed and the results are known another factor contributing to the brighter outlook is the ease with which the crops of the west the greatest for several years are being moved without causing a money stringency in the great financial centers the number of idle freight cars is rapid ly decreasing at the close of april last the number reported was while the number now is about or possibly less than for the decrease during the first two weeks of september was 0 |