New-York tribune., 1907-09-17
BUSINESS MEN TALK
TRADE OUTLOOK GOOD.
Wall Street Does Not Afect Coun-
try's Prosperity, Says Dir. StGrrett.

Theodore Starrett. chairman of the board OF
directors of the Thonpson-Starrett Company,
one of the largest construction companies in
the country. thinks that the present condition
Of the stock market was inevitable and the dis
turbances are simply part of the restoration OF
the health of various securities that had lapsed
into 'dropsicaI condition He does not think
that this depression in securities has 10 any
great extent affected the prosperity of the
country. Mr.. StarreIt has opportunity for OBJ
serving business conditions all over the coun-
try.
Take out Of account the stock market. and
the recession is more than might be expected
in the natural course Of events said he yes
terday. Il would say that the building busi-
ness is on a normal basis. The slackening IL
only what we have always 10 expect once In so
often"
Mr. starrett adrnires President Roosevelt, and
he does not believe he is responsible for the
financial depression.
He simply wanted to see the rights Of the
the people protected and the laws enforced"
said Mr.. Starrett- His position is unassailable
and is leading the people out 20 better days. I
am a great admirer Of the President. He has!
set the ball rolling in the right direction. and
it is a pity he cannot enlist more to help
him keep 1t going in the same direction As
for the complaint that he has been responsible
booked for the shrfnkage. Everything goes up
and down. 1t was time for a recession OF the
wave. People felt that certain corporations
had been paying dividends out OF their capital
and they thought such practices ought to be
stopped This was bound TO come Luckily the
country was IN such a position that it could
stand the strain.
Il do not think that those in New York who
say that the country is In bad shape have any
basis for their statements The whole United;
States is In a healthy condition Some people
have stopped buying Iuxuries. but Il is because
they have become aware Of the fact they were
paying too dearly for them. The rural districts
are in splendid shape. The market Of the far
mer IS extending every day. He can now sell
what potatoes are not wanted for food to the
denatured alcohol factories. He can take his
corn and other produce to the canning factories
that have sprung up all sides and get good
prices for his surplus product
Although by the operation Of natural laws
the building business has slackened up in this
city. there are many evidences of increased ac-
tivity along these lines in smaller cities. and
particularly the Pacific Coast The amount
Of building In small towns is exceptional
New York is in way an insular town, a
trading town Because there is less trade here
just than year ago they think the world
is coming an end What if some Of the rail-
roads have stopped building operations? That
will enable the farmer to get the men he has
for years needed TO harvest his crops AS for
the stock market. two years from now this little
furry viii have been all forgotten in this spien-
did solidifcaton Of our business interests. Ger
tain corporations are in the process Of restora-
tfOn 70 health They have been in dropsical
condition. Now the water is being squeeze out
and we are getting at real values.