| Show I Preparedness Sets Business Pace ace I IThe LaSalle Map of Business Conditions r 1 Y Lr J-Lr u wu uw s. s a 1 r The above map accompanying the August bulletin of o f U. U S. S business conditions issued by LaSalle Extension university illus illus- illustrates illustrates the current trade picture in various sections of o f the country Business activity continues to expand new orders in several indus indus- industries industries industries tries arc arp ar greater than output volume of trade is 7 above 1939 By L. L G. G ELLIOTT President LaSalle Extension University CHICAGO The The expansion of busi busi- business business business ness which began in the latter part of April continues to gain momen momen- tum turn The rate of ot production is now close to the highest point of the year and in some lines it is not far from Crom the peak that was reached last December r. r The steel industry has been the leader in the improvement which has bas already taken place Operations have bave increased from CO GO per cent of capacity in the early part of April to 88 per cent Domestic buying is active and foreign orders have hove been received in large volume These are expected to push the rate several per cent higher during the coming weeks Even if orders should d de decline cline the reduction will be more I Ethan than counterbalanced by added preparedness expenditures When the defense program gets under way the increase in government spend spend- spending spendIng spending ing will provide as large market for industry as has the export trade during the first part of this year The building Industry has also been moving ahead steadily The greatest gains have been made in engineering construction Recently contracts awarded for this type of construction have reached the high high- highest highest highest est level in history This program includes projects in nearly all parts of the United States and will stimulate stimulate late activity in many lines In the textile industry activity has been considerably increased at the woolen mills and the output of the cotton mills has been maintained at ata ata ata a higher rate than usual Production of rayon continues to be large Prices of commodities have re re- remained remained remained relatively stable with only small declines in the general aver aver- average average average age since the sharp upward spurt at the outbreak of war last Septem Septem- ber Farm prices have held firmand firm firmand firmand and total farm income for the first five live months of the year was 10 per percent percent percent cent higher than during the corre corre- corresponding corresponding corresponding period last year Crop pros pros- prospects prospects peets are arc promising and the esti estl estimates estimates mates arc that total output this year will bo bt above the year 10 average The vigor with which industry has progressed indicates the basic strength of our economic system |
