Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-01-05
BUSINESS IN 1905.

The year now closed has been profitable
to the people Of this country In many ways
The activity has been general In almost al
kinds Of business. Strikes have been few
an excellent indication that labor and CAPT
tai are too busy making money TO disagree
Prices have been maintained and NOT few
o -acords have been established. Our crops
have been abundant, the total production OIL
cereals being over 1900. 900 900 bushels, and
the total value oil ell the crops being nearly
$4,000 00, 900, an enormous amount of mon.
ey % the result Of one years labor. The
money value Of the crops was equal to the
best ever recorded. Our whole export trade
amounted to q, 600. OoO, 900. which lie 10 pc,
cent. more than that Of 1904 and per cent.
shove 1ofa. tho rannrd YEAR Thu imports
ran up to $i,175 100000, IS per cent. more
than In 1904. The total trade OF the United
States will reach $s775 .O0O, 900, which is 10
per cent. over 1904.
Il There were no disturbing conditions with
other nations that amounted to anything
serious. The war In the East operated favor
ably 10 this country, both japan and Russia
buying heavily of our supplies, and the trade
with Europe was large, our manufactured
goods gaining steadily 10 the foreign markets
notwithstanding sharp competition.
In 1905 there were per cent fewer fail
ures than in 1904 and only per cent. more
than 10 1908.
The rewards of labor were great. The
number OF people unemployed was the small.
est In three years. The output Of pig iron
broke oil records, being 100000 tons,
which was gain of so per cent. over 1904
Shipments oil iron ore were SO per cent
more than in 1904. Anthracite coal exceed.
ed In shipments the year 1904 BY 8 per cent
and bituminous coal and furnace coke broke
all records. Operations In iron and steel
ere the safest index of business. The trade
In copper was the best ever known and the
prices OF that product are now phenomenal.
The prices OF cotton now and Cor some time
indicate the demand for that staple and
mean millions Tor the South.
All this great business, the moving of the
crops and manufactured goods, indicate a
heavy tonnage for the transportation com.
panies and substantial earnings. Railroad
stocks are high because the roads are doing
agreat business, spending millions In bet
termerts and for increased equipment.
This large business has been done in a
year in which ugly Developments have been
made In the leading insurance companies,
whose capital and earnings run high up In
the millions, an indication that the country's
business is too sound to be seriously affected
by Encouragement of some Of the largest
corporations and by failures OF banks which
departed from sound business methods.
The business Of the United States is on q
sound basis. The majority of the people
are honest and industrious, and they know
how TO make their capital aud labor count
for progress and prosperity. Scandals In
management and graft serve TO call atten.
ton TO the fact that, serious and shameful
as many Of the disclosures have been, they
do not impair the business integrity OF the
nation. The average man engaged In pro.
duction In this country, be he farmer or
manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer, is hon,
sst,a square dealer In all his relations
Americans owe It 10 themselves to run down
and punish the graiters and robbers In poll.
tics and In business for the sake Of their
character, and that this lie being done lie a
healthy sign that the people are thoroughly
aroused on this subject.
In view Of the great prosperity of 1905, it is
natural and reasonable to look forward TO
1905 with confidence and hope, and the in
,'-s.ions are that in many respects the new
h will be remarkable in many ways.
BradstEeets, reviewing what was done in
J 1905, says;
"n satisfaction with the past and conf
.len6ein tbs future are At all reliable guides,
1905 10 likely TO equal, II indeed 1t does not
surpass, the year drawing to close. The
Tor IN. orders booked ahead exceeds any
an oountry's history, and
I'm 70 exercise 40 effect
u md. Iron ana steel
ieaSns, soc,Or sOosdi5s, e ar are =
of oti~1
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