Show IN INUS INU US U S B Commerce Department Reports Increase W WASHINGTON ASHINGTON March 17 In In Increased creased industrial activity throughout through through- out the nation was WIlS Reported by the department of at commerce today On the basis of ot its report a prediction was made that the usual signs of at business prosperity now are in evi evl dence The iron and steel Industry I tIcul ly showed improvement It Jt was stated The value of building bunding contracts awarded last month was 16 per cent higher than January and 33 per cent greater than in February last year Bituminous coal conI production is Increasing Increasing in increasing In- In creasing lumber production ex exceeded exceeded ex- ex In the week ending March Marchany Marchany Marchany any previous weel week of 1922 with exception Wholesale prices are continuing to advance Cot Cotton on at t more than 31 cents and copper above 17 c cents are the highest since 1920 Business failures are declining bond prices receding stocks advancing advancing ad- ad van inEr bank loans Increasing slightly g ly and Production increasing all aU I harbingers of Increasing prosperity prosperity pros- pros perIt the department said |