The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-06
THE BUSINESS REVIVAL.
From the Washington Post.

| From the Washington Post.
The railway freight traffic affords fair
fguage of the country's business, both posi-
i've and comparative, and the number of
freight cars demanded by the roads gauges
that traffic. The fact that there Is now
an increased demand for such cars shows
ccnclusively that the general business of
the country IS improving. Since last Jan
| uary the railroads have contracted for d.
$50 cars, and bids are being offered for 5000
more. These figures present Il striking
contrast with the record for 1894, when the
aggregate output was less by 5000 than the
total of the orders placed during the first
five months of 1895. Should there be no
falling off in contracts during the re-
mainder of the year, by reason of short
crops or other unfortunate occurrences,
the car manufacturers win have about the
same amount Of business as they had IN
1899, but this will be far below the capacity
of the shops. In this, as in every branch
of our Industries, the plants are greatly
In excess OF the average necessity. In
many branches they are above the maxi
mum demand, producing a waste of capt.
tai. Competition is so keen that manu-
facturers who have large sums invested
in suplus plants cannot get profits on
such Investments.
In 1892 the railroads of the United
States bought 5000 new freight cars. In
1890 the number purchased was something
over 10000. The normal average of new
cars, according to the Railroad Gazette's
estimate, should be the 1892 output-93,-
600. This years contracts, while very en-,
couraglng, do not indicate an entire re-
covery from the depression that set In two
years ago. 1t Is easier to descend than TO
climb. A month of panic inficts injuries
that may last for years. The panic OF 1873
may not have been SO universally damag-
Ing as that of 1893, but the influence of the
former was felt for a longer period than
Is likely to be the case with that of the
latter. An over the country there are
signs of improvement. Wages are being
increased, not as a result of costly strikes,
but voluntarily. The increase made in the
past eight weeks win add more than
million dollars to the monthly pay-rolls.
We do not look for an early cessation of
the signs of returning prosperity. We be-
lleve the Improvement will go on and that
It will eventually be crowned by a settle
ment of the currency question, which is
now the only disturbing factor In the busi-
ness situation.
The deep and general interest that Is
manifested in the silver questloh--or the
question Of national curreney-is one of
the most hopeful OF all the signs of the
times. The country Is In tho midst of n
great educational campaign even while
the revival of business is going on. And,
since tho issue is ono that must be de-
cided by ballots, 1t Is fortunate that the
interest in It Is SO widespread. The dis
cussion will go on and tho settlement Will,
in due time. be reached. Meanwhile tho
credit of the nation, of the states and of
municipalities shows no impairment.
Every dollar of our currency, whether of
silver or gold, whether a greenback, sill
yer certificate. or a coin note, is Just as
good as every other dollar. and we have
no party that does not profess a desire
and purpose TO maintain this, credit and
this equality Of the dollars.