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CHICAGO, SEPTEM BER 25, 1920

P R I M A R Y W EALTH WHICH HAS BEEN V A ST LY IN CREASED NOT ON LY
in the Seventh Federal Reserve District but all over the country by the magnificent
crops of 1920, is contributing much to the stabilization of economic conditions in the process
of business readjustment and liquidation which is now on There is still sufficient in the
existing situation to call for the continuation of conservatism on the part of business men in
the use of credit, but the great recuperative power of a people possessed of billions more than
the usual yield of grain and other agricultural staples is calculated to inspire confidence that
the nation is successfully meeting the after-war emergency.
HOW TH IS P R IM A R Y W EALTH IS D ISTR IBU TE D
The 1920 crop of wheat in sight at this time figures
770,015,000 bushels, of which the Seventh Federal
Reserve District contributes 63,990,000. The acreage
of 1920 was only 73.3 per cent of 1919, but the yield
fell short of the five-year average by only 18.5 per
cent, thereby refuting all the early forecasts.
The corn crop reaches 3,131,349,000 bushels of
superb quality— 13.5 per cent more than the five-year
average. Of this crop the Seventh Federal Reserve
District claims a trifle less than last year’s yield.
A
considerable percentage of the new crop has gone or
will go into silage which means much for the meat
and milk interests. Iowa never had such a corn crop,
writes one banker, and other middle west corn states
say if the frosts hold off until October 1, their corn
production will go far to right things.
Oats total 1,441,839,000 bushels— 15.5 per cent more
than 1919, and 27,300,000 bushels in excess of the five-




year average. O f this great yield the Seventh Federal
Reserve District contributes 557,071,000 bushels or
more than one-third of the American crop— and 21
per cent more than the crop of 1919.
The potato crop of this district aggregates 93,270,000 bushels— 10 per cent greater than last year. For
the country the yield is figured at 413,000,000 bushels
— a gain of 15.5 per cent. Wisconsin’s potato crop was
curtailed somewhat by drought.
Flax, barley and rye show substantial gains com­
pared with 1919, and these with a cotton yield in ex­
cess of the five-year average, although raised elsewhere,
but so essential to many industries in the middle west,
form vital elements of prosperity for industry and
finance. Further comment on the crop figures seems
needless, as all men of affairs know that money, credit
and popular well-being result very largely from bumper
farm production.

Compiled September 23,1920

TRANSPORTATIO N SHOWS GE N E R A L IM PRO VEM EN T
For the first time in many months there is almost
universal recognition of improvement in the transporta­
tion situation. Virtually all lines of industry report
both a freer movement of freight to them and more
prompt delivery of the finished product to market.
Two factors are responsible for this betterment; name­
ly, the return of large numbers of workers to the freight
yards and increased operating efficiency. During the
last month or two a vigorous campaign fyas been waged
among both the railroad men and the shippers for the
heavier loading of the cars and the prompt unloading
which has borne fruit. The railroads are moving more
freight, the cars are making more ton miles per day,
and there is less holding of cars at warehouses or
terminals awaiting unloading.
An indication of the general condition is reflected
by the Illinois Central, which broke all its records dur­
ing the month of August by handling 1,602,009,000
ton miles of freight.
The highest mark heretofore
was established in March, 1918, when 1,575,000,000
ton miles were handled on the system.

The general belief of business men is that serious
transportation troubles are over, as there are definite
signs of a clearing up of traffic congestion. This relief
should mean less credit required by industrial enter­
prises, which heretofore have been hampered by in­
adequate transportation, and have been compelled to
borrow on large inventories at times when the finished
product could not be moved to market. In conse­
quence the investment in goods in transit would be
lower and a quicker turnover brought about in many
lines of merchandise.
Notwithstanding this impression among business
men regarding the transportation situation, the status
of our loans do not indicate liquidation of indebtedness
at the banks, especially in the agricultural sections of
the district. In at least one state, Iowa, purely agri­
cultural, the borrowings by member banks at the
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago are at the highest
point. In Wisconsin, agricultural and manufacturing,
the member bank borrowings although proportionately
large, show a downward tendency.

T E N D E N C Y TO SLOW DOWN N O TICE A BLE IN M A N Y IN DU STRIES
There have been distinct signs of slowing down in
a number of industries, particularly in the automobile
industry. Many of the automobile plants in this
district are running at only from 20 to 50 per cent of
capacity with many of them nearer the lower figure.
This is not a general condition, however, as several of
the larger companies are running full time. One lead­
ing manufacturer’s estimate is that 20 per cent is a
fair average of the slowing down in the industry as a
whole.
One of the reasons for the let down by motor manu­
facturers is the difficulty dealers are meeting in secur­
ing banking assistance to carry stocks of automobiles.
One large maker of both trucks and pleasure cars

says dealers have greater difficulty financing time sales
on trucks than is encountered in the sale of pleasure
cars. His explanation for this is that formerly many
trucks were sold to irresponsible people engaged in
the trucking business who, not having experience, failed
to take due account of the cost of operating the truck
and accepted business at prices which did not give
them a profit, and after operating for a few months
turned their trucks back.
Part makers and tire makers report a lessening in
the demand for their product which has resulted in
more expeditious deliveries than has been the case for
sometime.
One large automobile builder has an­
nounced a price reduction on his cars.

BUILDIN G CO NSTRUCTION IS M A R K IN G TIM E
Another direction in which an easing is noted is in
the building trades. Building enterprises all through
the district are practically at a standstill, which re­
sults in a lessened demand for structural steel, brick,
cement, and lumber. This has had a partially bene­
ficial effect in that it has caused a decline in price of
building materials and also indirectly caused greater
efficiency on the part of workers in the building trades.
With more men out of employment in the building

trades, those at work have improved in efficiency or
productiveness.
As a consequence of this, coupled with lower ma­
terial prices, it is variously estimated that the net costs
in buildings are 15 to 20 per cent lower than they were
a month ago. Lumber prices have held steady during
the last thirty days, but this is chiefly because there
was a good decline about four months ago.

STEEL M ILLS R E F L E C T SLOW ING DOWN PROCESS
Lessened demand from the automobile and building
industries has been felt in the steel trade. On the
whole, though, the demand for steel from other lines still
continues good. Plants in this district are considerably
below capacity operations. The railroads have been
slow to buy, although there are a number of inquiries
from that source now for the next year’s delivery.
Steel plants are still short on fuel and this also has
proven a handicap for them.



In the pig iron industry orders from foundries are
limited chiefly to small tonnages for early shipment,
representing buying on a hand-to-mouth basis during
the readjustment period. The price continues firm
with little change either way. The limited supply of
foundry coke for prompt shipment is bringing £18.50
to $20.00 per ton at the ovens, according to the district
from which it is shipped, with furnace coke a dollar or
two behind this. Little or no business in pig iron is
being booked for 1920 shipment.

CAN CELLATIO NS NUMEROUS IN M ERCH AN D ISIN G LINES
ff? Rather general discussion of price reductions and
the difficulties involved in transportation have resulted
in a large number of cancellations in textile lines. The
result is that merchandise stocks are large. The situa­
tion is an aftermath of artificially stimulated conditions
in the previous years of 1918 and 1919, when the mills
allotted textile manufacturers only a part of their
orders. In the current year the mills have allotted
in full order to converters, and as many manufacturers
to insure themselves a full supply had over-ordered,
the result is an increased stock on hand. Pending the
liquidations of these stocks, the banks will have to
carry the manufacturers.
Retail trade in the Seventh District is in a sound
No. of
Net Sales
Concerns Pet. Increases
Business
Dry Goods......... ............ 13
13*55
20.29
Shoes.................. ............ 7
*Groceries .......... ............ l9
4-93
f Clothing............. ............ 3
118.0
79.0
Tailoring............ ............ 2

position, judging by the replies to our monthly inquiry.
Following are the averages, as computed September
16, covering August:
Net Sales, August 1920 over July 1920.. 44.9 per cent
Net Sales, August 1920 over August 1919 39 per cent
Stocks, August 1920 over August 1919. . 76.6 per cent
Stocks, August 1920 over July 1920....... 24.1 per cent
Percentage of average stocks to sales July
1 to August 3 1...................................... 435*7 per cent
Orders outstanding to total purchases in
1919...................................................... 24.3 per cent
Wholesale Trade Conditions in the Seventh District
for the end of August as computed September 16 from
replies to our regular inquiry follow:

Cancellations
50.0
67.2
13.0
Large
No data

Bad
Delivery
100% “ No”
66% “ No”
91% “ No”
No data
No data

Trade
Caution
100% “ Yes”
66% “ Yes”
93% “ Yes”
No data
No data

Price
Trend
100% “ Down”
100% “ Down”
85.7% “ Down”
No data
100% “ Down”

*Demoralization in sugar a prejudicial factor in the trade.
fVolume due to “ reduced price sales.”
As to prices in woolens, leading manufacturers re­
gard the situation as more encouraging. The new
prices put upon woolens for the spring season of 1921
show only a slight reduction, and in some cases a little
advance over the corresponding period of a year ago.
There is an actual reduction, however, compared with
quotations for the present fall season, which marked
the peak in high prices.
The belief is that the
new price basis for the spring season will stabilize
the present market in woolens which has been badly
demoralized since the shut down of the mills and cur­
tailing of production. This stabilizing of prices, is
expected to assist in a more orderly liquidation of sur­
plus stock of woolens, and give confidence to the woolen
buyers and clothing manufacturers in determining
proper replacement costs and production prices in
woolen textiles.

The price of wool has declined to a point where it
is below the markets from which the United States is
obliged to buy its requirements in excess of our domestic
production. The declines range from 25 per cent to
40 per cent from M ay 1, 1920, and have been more
radical than any previously known to the trade and
there are some signs of improvement at present.
The clothing manufacturing industry which centers
in Chicago complains that the press comments pre­
dicting a considerable reduction in clothing prices,
is resulting in numerous cancellations of orders, and
the return of goods. The manufacturer estimates that
labor is receiving wages 300 per cent of those pre­
vailing in 1914. The slowing down in this line, if con­
tinued, one of the large manufacturers declares, will
result in the idleness of from 15,000 to 20,000 employees,
as manufacturers cannot continue to produce goods
on which they are compelled to take a loss.

BOND B U YIN G H ABIT STILL IN E V ID E N C E
An encouraging sign is the growth of thrift on the
part of the public generally. Probably the best indica­
tion of this is the steady increase in savings deposits
and the large number of small investors in prime se­
curities. A leading bond house reports that on a recent
offering of securities by them the average sale was only
$1,500, whereas, a few years ago the average sale would
more likely have been $15,000.
Bond houses generally report that the amount of

securities which have been absorbed and are being
daily absorbed by the investors of small means is
enormous. Indication of this increased thrift is found
in another direction; namely, the curtailment of living
expenses which is reflected in the growing demand for
moderate priced goods. This is evident in both the
grocery and dry goods lines, as well as in the purchase
of luxury articles, such as musical instruments and
jewelry.

LEATH ER , SHOE AN D FU R N ITU R E PRODUCTION CU R TA ILE D
The leather trade also is feeling the effect of a
curtailment of operations in other lines, the slowing
down in the Automotive industry being reflected in
small orders for leather from that source.



The tanning and shoe business has been exceedingly
dull during the past month with tanners operating
about one-half of capacity because of an over supply
of leather in face of a light demand. Hides and skins

are lower in price. In the shoe trade both whole­
salers and retailers are proceeding cautiously, buying
only for immediate needs, pending development of
a definite price trend.

Due to labor difficulties some furniture factories
have been either closed down entirely or running about
one-third capacity and this caused a curtailment of
orders from that direction.

M O N EY IN STRONG D EM AN D NO TW ITH STAN D IN G HIGH RATES
There continues a persistent demand for money.
One banker writes that loans to grain commission
merchants, millers, malsters, wholesale grocers, and
bankers have been reduced, but these reductions are
more than offset by increases to the metal trades,
tanners and the canning and textile industries. There
has been no appreciable reduction in loans at the banks
in general in the district, although some bankers re­
port a slight tendency in this direction. One Iowa
banker says, ‘ ‘our customers tell us that they expect
to reduce their loans from now on and give as their
reason, therefor, that they are reducing their stock
and intend to bring their business down to a safe level.”
In the grain districts there has been some improve­
ment in this regard, presumably as a result of the
marketing of small grain and also some corn. As the
marketing of grain increases, it is expected farmers’
loans will be correspondingly reduced. Grain men ap­
parently are not experiencing any diffiulty in obtaining
credit, with the exception of smaller dealers operating

country stations where they have been buying from
farmers; these have had to curtail.
Collections generally are slow. Most lines of busi­
ness report returns to them are not coming in nearly
as quickly or as satisfactorily as a few months ago.
This is partially because the farmer is holding off pay­
ment of his bills until the movement of the crops is
accomplished and his winter finances have been
cared for. Some interests, in consequence of the slow­
ing up in collections, have changed selling terms to 30
days on all goods, instead of 30 and 60 as has been the
custom heretofore. As a general rule where extension
of credit is asked by the merchant it is granted without
much delay.
During the month of August, there was increased
mortality recorded in the Seventh Federal Reserve
District. According to the compilation by R. G. Dun
& Company there were 86 commercial failures in this
district during August, 1920, involving liabilities of
13,177,188. In the same month of last year 63 firms
failed having liabilities of $1,079,013.

SHORTAGE IN FUEL SERIOUS PROBLEM
The fuel situation continues to be a subject of con­
cern, although there has been slight improvement dur­
ing the last several weeks. Some localities are more
fortunate, as for instance in Iowa, where a large amount
of fuel has been stored as the result of thorough ad­
vertising given to the prospective fuel shortage. Pro­
duction at the mines in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa,
has greatly increased over the previous months, and
the railroads have worked diligently to move this ad­

ditional fuel to the large centers where both industrial
plants and householders were badly in need of coal.
In view of the fact that little or no coal has been
sorted by either industrial plants or dealers, the out­
look for the future is rather disturbing. Such demands
on the mines operating at full speed during the winter,
and if the winter is severe there will be great difficulty
in providing fuel.

LABOR SITUATION SHOWS IM PRO VEM EN T
From all parts of the district and all industries
represented in the Federal Reserve Bank investigation
come reports of increasing efficiency on the part of labor.
Both the labor turnover and the production per man
show improvement.
The supply of labor shows an increase, partially
due to the release of workers by those plants forced to
curtail operations for one reason or another. This has
resulted in the weeding out process, whereby, inefficient
workers have been released. In certain lines requiring
skilled help there is a shortage but ordinary workers
apparently are very plentiful.
Factory labor conditions in the Seventh Federal
Reserve District, as deduced from our regular monthly
inquiry, are satisfactory, a normal supply ruling and no

strikes reported. The following averages represent
the situation at the end of August:
Number employed, August 1920 to July 1920
(Decrease)............................................... 1.0 per cent
Number employed, August 1920 to August 1919
(Decrease)................................................ 12.7 per cent
Percentage of Capacity employed: August 1920
.................................................................. 80.3 per cent
Percentage of Capacity employed: July 1920
.................................................................. 83.0 per cent
Percentage of Capacity employed: August 1919
.................................................................. 91.0 per cent
Actual Pay Rolls, August 1920 to July 1920
(Decrease)............................................... 3.5 per cent
Actual Pay Rolls, August 1920 to Aug. 1919
(Increase)................................................ 2.7 per cent

C R E D IT M OVEM EN T SHOWS ST E A D Y IN CREA SE
Credit movement, as indicated in the aggregate
debits to individual accounts, shows a steady increase,
compared with the previous month as well as a year ago.
The total debits as of September 15, 1920, reported
by 196 banks, in 23 leading clearing house centers,



including Chicago, was $1,248,463,000, an increase of
$57,662,000 over the corresponding week of August,
and $469,972,000 greater than in the same period of
last year.

CH ART SHOWING TR E N D OF M EM BE R B A N K BORROW INGS B Y STATES
While the total line showing the ratio of member
bank borrowings for the Seventh Federal Reserve
District has dipped below the basic discount line, the
trend was upwards towards the middle of September.
Iowa’s total borrowings were 80 points above its
basic discount figure and practically at the high

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point, while Wisconsin’s borrowings were below the
high point but about 28 points above her basic dis­
count line. Illinois has been running steady for some
weeks. Indiana borrowings fluctuate but with a general
upward trend in September. Michigan also shows an
upward trend.

JULY

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NOTE— The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has not formally adopted the so-called basic or normal line of credit which indicates
the amount which each member bank would be entitled to if all member banks were utilizing their full borrowing privileges.

O PEN M A R K E T DISCOUN T AND IN TE R E ST RATES IN CHICAGO
The open market range of discount and interest rates prevailing in Chicago during the thirty-day period
ending September 15, 1920, together with a comparison of rates during the thirty-day periods ending August 15,
1920, and September 15, 1919, follows:

3.
4.

5.
6.

7.

8.

SEPTEM BER , 1920
High
Low Customary
Hi
Rates of discount charged by banks to customers forr
prime commercial paper such as is now eligible
under the Federal Reserve Act:
6
a. Running 30, 60 and 90 days..............................■ 77
7
b. Running 4 to 6 months..................................... • 77
ey 3
7
Rates for prime commercial paper purchased in the
open market:
7@8
a. Running 30 to 90 days*.....................................• 7@8
7@8
7@8
b. Running 4 to 6 months*................................... • 7@8
7@8
Rates charged on loans to other banks— secured by
bills payable.......................... ..................................... • 7
7
7
Rates for bankers’ acceptances of 60 to 90 days
maturities:
a. Endorsed..............................................................
b. Unendorsed.........................................................• 77
7
7
Rates for demand paper secured by prime stock ex­
6 yt
change collateral or other current collateral............•7 7
7
Rates for time paper secured by collateral mentionedi
in No. 5:
6 'A
a. Running 3 months...............................................• 77
7
b. Running 3 to 6 months......................................• 77
6 'A
7
Rates (when paper is current in city) for:
a. Cattle loans..........................................................• 99
7
7
b. Commodity paper secured by warehouse
receipts, etc
7
7
• 7
Rates for ordinary commercial loans running 30, 603
and 90 days, (not including loans to enable pur­
chase of bonds) secured by:
a. Liberty bonds.......................................................• 77
7
7
6
6
b. Certificates of indebtedness................................. 66

■ "Bankers report seven per cent and brokers offerings show eight per cent




High

AUGUST, 1920
SEPTEM BER , 1919
Customary High
Low
Low
Customary

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SE L E C TE D M EM BE R B A N K ST A TIST ICS— SEVEN TH D IST R IC T
(ooo’s omitted)

Number of Banks Reporting...................
Total U. S. Securities................................
Loans— (exclusive of rediscounts)
Secured bv U. S. war obligations.........
Loans secured by stocks and bonds
. other than U. S. securities................
AH other loans and investments..........
(exclusive of rediscounts)
Reserve Balance with Federal Reserve
Banks...................................................
Cash in vault..............................................
Deposits—
Net Demands.........................................
1 ime........................................................
Government............................................

Sept. 10,
1920

CHICAGO
Aug. 13, Sept. 12,
1920
1919

49
$49,768

50
44
$53>854 $137,505

D ETRO IT
Aug. 13, Sept. 12,
1920
1919
12
12
$71,869
$61,486 $84,050

Sept. 10,
1920
12

54,631

58,090

73,353

11,480

354,7/0
873,694

339,807
893,246

271,698
636,141

I30,999
39,940

138,356
36,099

97G483
287,523
1,504

969,349
285,056
3,713

OTHER
Sept. 10, Aug. 13, Sept. 12,
1920
1920
*9*9
45
44
45
$56,386
553,538 $65,788

14,780

11,661

*3,659

*3,404

*6,377

59,955
3 j 6, i 67

59,175
328,667

39,786
264,455

57,596
3*9,45°

57,55*
3 *4,057

36,887
278,682

122,690
38,739

28,712
*3,559

30,432
13,526

28,494
1 5,379

27,502
16,045

27,442
*5,470

29,158
*4,33*

902,202
169,309
33,404

207,516
224,754
1,260

212,929
224,149
331

223,573
181,280
10,764

244,837
118,002
55*

241,146
118,609
1,602

248,426
101,027
10,098

COST OF LIV IN G IN TH E U N ITE D STATES
Curves shown in the chart below graphically present
curve is based on index numbers computed by the
the price tendency in the United States in the period
Bureau of Labor.
January, 1913, to July, 1920. In each instance the

CO M PARATIVE L IV E STO CK STA TISTICS
Receipts of live stock at Chicago for the four weeks ending September 11, compare as follows:
Tear

Cattle

I92° ........................................................................................................ 231,313
* 9 * 9 ........................................................................................................ 255,464
Decrease........................................................................................
♦ Increase

24,151

Calves

Hogs

Sheep

46,258
48,207

397)948

440,994

376,67a

562,11a

1,949

*21,276

121,118

Receipts of live stock at the principal markets during August, and during the first eight months of 1920
compared with the corresponding periods of the previous year, show the following changes:
1920
A u g u st..........................................
Eight months...............................

Cattle
23 per cent Decrease
10 per cent Decrease

Calves
4 pet cent Decrease
5 per cent Increase

Sheep and Lambs
33 per cent Decrease
14 per cent Decrease

Hogs
9 per cent Decrease
8 per cent Decrease

Receipts of hogs at the six principal markets during June, 1920, aggregated 1,049,554 head, as compared with
1,068,471 in August, 1919.
The average prices compared as follows per hundredweight:
Cattle
Choice
August T920............................................................. $17-48
August 1919.............................................................
18.90
Eight months— 1920...............................................
16.42
18.90
Eight months— 1919...............................................

Cattle
Common
$14-85
16.50
13.70
15.53

Sheep
$7.91
9.65
11.17
11.33

Lambs
$13.32
16.78
17.11
16.85

Hogs
$14.20
1-9.90
14.64
20.64

Cash lard in August, 1920, ranged from $17.90 to $18.90 cwt. compared with $27.20 to $33.65 in August 1919.
Cash
cwt. compared with $21.50 to $28.00 in August 1919.
ribs in August, 1920, ranged from $14.75 t0


PROD U CTION OF CORN, W HEAT, COTTON, OATS AN D H A Y, B Y F E D E R A L RE SE R VE D ISTR ICTS
Forecast of the Bureau of Crop Estimates as of September I, 1920.
(In thousands of units of measurement.)
CORN
(Bushels)

7,081
34,223
57,153
198,893
190,672
253,202
891,55a
438,887
245,420
483,17a 193,853
9,214

7,692
37,866
61,769
212,077
202,334
259,295
896,181
464,938
234,226
548,679
196,997
9.295

T otal.......... 3.I3 L 349

3,003,32a

Sept. 1
Forecast
for
1920

Aug. 1
Forecast
for
1920

Estimate
for
1919

10,276
41,089
66,444
212,297
188,994
240,315
927,852
380,722
242,363
372,870
225,743
8,485

468
n ,8 i6
23,808
34,597
37,613
6,614
63,99°
54,722
161,631
260,723
15,166
98,867

463
11,816
23,838
34,633
37,613
6,614
65,345
54,774
183,197
261,226
15,184
99,444

2,917*45°

770,015

794,147

COTTON (Bales)
Sept. 1
Forecast
for 1920

Federal Re­
serve District

T otal............

August 1
Forecast
for 1920

Estimate
for 1919

Estimate
for
1919

480
12,493
25,92a
63,748
37,°94
10,326
112,202
108,022
I35,°94
300,994
33,605
101,008

11,094
23,510
34,027
37,613
6,614
49,471
53,885
7,185
241,464
14,406
53,372

11,094
23>5IQ
34,027
37,6 i 3
6,614
49,471
53,885
7,185
241,464
14,406
53,372

” ,743
25,606
62,714
37,094
10,326
93,062
107,021
5,757
284,53!
32,707
61,075

468
722
298
570

463
722
328
606

480
750
316
1,034

*4,5*9
837
154,446
19,259
760
45,495

15,874
889
176,012
19,762
778
46,072

19,140
1,001
129,337
16,463
898
39,933

940,988

532,641

532,641

731>636

237,374

261,506

209,352

August 1
Forecast
for 1920

2,190
2,990

2,372
2,816

2,112

2,173

1,789

1,126
4,284
(a) 184

4,081
(a) 187

832
3,097
(a)ii7

(b) 12,783

(b) 12,518

(b) 11,030

M 4i ,839

Sept, i
Forecast
for
1920

Aug. 1
Forecast
for
1920

Sept. 1
Forecast
for 1920

2,230
2,833

SPRING W HEAT
(Bushels)

Sept. 1
Forecast
for
1920

Aug. 1
Forecast
for
1920

Estimate
for
1919

H AY, tame and wild (Tons)

OATS (Bushels)

13,752
46,118
26,287
84,140
27,522
28,566
557,07*
72,701
29!,933
202,799
44,946
46,004

Vo
00
GO

Boston..................
New York............
Philadelphia........
Cleveland............
Richmond............
Atlanta................
Chicago................
St. Louis..............
Minneapolis.........
Kansas C ity........
Dallas..................
San Francisco__

W IN TER W HEAT
(Bushels)

Estimate
for
1919

Aug. 1
Forecast
for
1920

Sept. 1
Forecast
for
Federal Reserve District 1920
Boston...............
New Y ork..........
Philadelphia.. . .
Cleveland..........
Richmond..........
Atlanta..............
Chicago..............
St. Louis............
Minneapolis.. . .
Kansas C ity .. . .
Dallas................
San Francisco...

TO TAL W HEAT
(Bushels)

Estimate
for 1919

Sept. 1
Forecast
for 1920

August 1
Forecast
for 1920

Estimate
for 1919

13,433
44,619
25,807
82,061
27,530
28,128
530,141
71,508
289,219
198,783
44,56x
46,274

12,123
31,856
23,214
70,279
26,397
29,008
461,082
63,595
208.857
182,677
99,004
40,219

4,3oo
6,019
3,093
5,996
4,558
4,468
16,979
7,690
17,905
20,530
1,885
13,028

4,339
6,058
3,168
6,011
4,540
4,494
17,185
7,658
18,831
20,257
1,792
12,933

4,912
7,073
3, i 55
6,089
4,916
4,272
18,629
8,124
17,245
19,907
2,309
12,035

1,402,064

1,248,311

106,451

107,266

108,666

(a)

In addition the following amounts were estimated grown in Lower California (Mexico): Sept, i, 1920 forecast— 89,000 bales;
August 1, 1920 forecast— 93,000 bales; estimate for 1919— 52,000 bales.
(b) Cotton grown outside of cotton belt included as follows: Sept. I, 1920 forecast— 14,000 bales; Aug. 1, 1920 forecast— 12,000 bales;
estimate for 1919— 7,000 bales.

R EC EIPTS AND SH IPM ENTS OF IM PO R TA N T CO M M ODITIES A T CHICAGO
(ooo’s omitted)
Products
Flour, barrels.................................
Wheat, bushels.............................. ................
Corn, bushels................................. ................
Oats, bushels..................................
Rye, bushels ................................ ................
Barley, bushels ............................ ................
Cured Meats, pounds....................
Fresh Meats, pounds..................... ................
Lard, pounds.................................. ................
Cheese, pounds............................ ..
Butter, pounds............................... ................
Eggs, cases..................................... ................
Potatoes, bushels...........................
Hides, pounds................................ ................
Wool, pounds................................ ................
Lumber, thousand feet.................




R ECEIPTS
August
July
1920
1920
*9*9
*9*9
606
*73
591
2,562
8,585
21,413
9,375
4,887
9,067
3,296
3,72i
12,318
11,012
7,299
467
5oi
783
369
867
2,8lO
1.324
519
17,790
5,524
19,463
93,466
101,634
47,286
56,977
13,760
12,733
*1,339
24,505
18,680
22,328
21,853
34,424
30,589
42,917
4 L 523
622
412
421
643
617
732
563
17,604
18,263
8,626
9,855
22,6l8
9,192
7,253
8,343
170
222
aoo

SHIPM ENTS
July
August
1920
1919
1920
1919
508
476
663
340
2,632
14,827
1,292
6,464
2,946
1,910
2,316
2,995
4,702
8,321
6,443
4,323
389
533
613
45
972
398
356
1,789
51,009
82,987
96,487
45,503
150,165
152,057
*35,789
177,395
22,064
23,308
49, i 99
55,215
8,241
7,390
29,875
3 I P 79
41,919
19,870
33,884
22,459
162
267
286
254
214
94
124
399
10,298
22,183
13,897
9,793
15,206
12,844
8,416
4, i 49
81
82
90
87

T R E N D OF NEW BU ILDIN G IN R E PR E SE N TA T IV E CITIES
Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Los
Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City
(all boros), Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco,
Seattle and Kansas City. The figures represent the
valuation in millions of dollars.

In the attached chart there is indicated the total
valuation of building permits issued each month in
fourteen cities during 1919 and 1920, and the average
valuation per month for the six-year permit from 1914
to 1919 inclusive, as compiled by the American Con­
tractor. The cities included in the statistics are:

BU ILDIN G STATISTICS FOR TH E M ONTH OF AUGUST, 1920
CH I C A G O

DISTRICT

(Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri and Portions of Eastern Kansas and Nebraska.)
CONTEM PLATED PROJECTS
No. of
Valuation
Projects

Class
Business Buildings......................................................
Educational Buildings...............................................
Hospitals and Institutions.........................................
Industrial Buildings...................................................
Military and Naval Buildings..................................
Public Buildings.........................................................

...........................
...........................

286
82

...........................

27

............................

4

............................
............................

27
411

Religious and Memorial Buildings........................... ............................
Residential Buildings................................................. ............................
Social and Recreational Buildings............................ ...........................
............................

57
677
66
I

$1 7,405,200
4,58] ,600
3,513,000
21,471,500
175,000
1,137,800
25,504,500
6,213,500
27.693.300
5,388,50°
20,000
?i 13,103,000

T otal....................................................................

CONTRACTS AW ARDED
No. of New Floor Space
Projects
Sq. ft.
Valuation
241
93
17
137
1
20
232
39
544
34

1,528,600
1,047,800
140,100
2,737,3°°
50,000
65,400
161,900
1,591,800
406,300

I>358

$9,141,700
6,351,100
1,342,5°°
14,594,500
250,000
923,700
38,202,600
1,356,400
6,720,500
2,585,000

$81,468,000

CONTRACTS AW ARDED
(J a n u a ry

1

to September 1)

1 9 2 0 ___

1 9 1 6 ........................... ......................... 1 2 5 5 ,7 5 2 ,7 4 6

1 9 1 2 ............................

J 9 * 9 .........

I 9 I 5 - - .......................

1 9 1 1 ............................ ............................ 8 8 ,4 8 4 ,3 13

1 9 1 8 ...................................................... 237,835,000

1 9 U ............................

1 9 1 0 ............................

1 9 1 7 . . . . .............................................

i 9 J 3 ..................




398,066,000