Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1908-04-08

Editorial Comment

together idle.
The hard times Of the past have had
several different origins. 1t is evident
that some Of them arose from real eco.
monte conditions, which readiusted
themselves in the course Of year and
half or two years.
But in the case Of our latest nm.
pleasantness, there nas never been
shown any adequate justification, and
II is therefore the opinion Of many that
IL was entirely artificial was deliber.
ately planned and brought about, for
personal ends, by those in control of
large capital and corporations. On this
point IL will be remembered that sever.
al railroads began TO discharge men
some time before the strngeney began.
For two years nearly every road had
been unable TO furnish enough ears TO
do the business offered. Now, il rail.
roads are not prospcrous--very pros.
porous when they have all the bust.
ness watch they can handle, at their
own price, aud all for cash, when are
they, or can they be, prosperousi
The United States steel corporation
turned on some thousands of workers,
while they had on their books more
orders than could be- filed in the next
six months, and Others coming in daily.
II these corporations had been de.
sirous Of averting nard times, they
would have acted very differently. in.
deed.
These and similar facts tend TO fos.
tor n belief that the genesis of the
panic was not nj all in economic con.
ditions-for the crops, the basis Of all.
were immense; all the people were
busy, and prosperity showed on every
sidc-but in the pulling ~ hidden
wires, the working of crafty schemes,
for which the motives were chiefly to
influence Congress and the President
IN regard 10 certain trust legislation, |
and. incidentally, to gather in a few
" these things be true, IL follows
that any predictions ms 10 the condi |
lions of business during the coming
summer must he based very largely on
what may be supposed to he the plans, |
purposes and private interests Of the
captains Of finance.
At present it is reported that Con
gress Is disposed to be rather lenient |
toward the trusts-and, coincidently,
the evidences Of returning prosperity
begin 10 abound and TO he widely her |
aided, For example; That tho United
states Steel company, "the chief ba
rometer Of business" has busy sum.
mcr assured; that the New York Cen
trail has ordered l3j new engines TO
handle its increased business, that rail |
roads generally are getting back to
their normal, real estate movements
increase; Wall street condescends To
admit being'n good humor, and it
Is naiyoly stated that "iho business
world is no longer seriously apprehen.
sivc OF injurious legislation by either
Congress or the states - which per.
haps means that having been properly
spanked, those powers are now ex.
pccted TO be good.
In truth. no matter what tac cause
OF the stringency was, there does not
now appear to be the least reason
provided Wall street, ct al, will keep
hands of-to prevent the return of
good and healthy business conditions.
All signs nj present point that way.
aud there can be little doubt that for
while, at least, we may look for
bettermcnt in affairs.
The above surmise as TO the real
cause is only one of many suggested
or believed by various parties.
journal Miners Industrial and Min.
ing edition now ready for distribution.