Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1908-03-10
BUSINESS CONDITIONS

There are, according to the reports to
the railroads, 100000 cars and hundreds
of engines idle, whereas year ago
there were not enough to carry the
freight offered. Such an enormous
shrinkage OF business on the railroade
is pretty good barometer OF business
depression elsewhere. Another indica.
zion o: business stagnation is the iron
trade, which only produced little over
100000 tons Of pig iron in January
compared with 100000 tons in October.
But as trust controls the iron industry
it ID no longer as reliable a trade baro-
meter as it used to he. The steel trust ,
in spite of the falling of in the demand
for It's products, has determined to
maintain prices. Before the organiza
ton Of the steel trust the price Of iron
and steel was gagged By supply and de-
mand, lin time Of business distress the
price OF steel products follow ed closely
the price OF other commodities.
Importations Of merchs ndise ut New
York have dropped IL per cent in Janu-
AIRY as compared with December. There
is also curtaiment Of production in
nearly all industries OF from 20 to % per
cent, in many manufactured products.
Economy is prevalent and many work
men arc out Of job.
These are not pleasing facte, but it If
no use to conceal them in looking fer
ward to what will come. Business can
not much revive until the process of
REIMBURSEMENT il completed from the
changed conditions from the boom times
to the present liquidation. The great
trusts are fighting against this readjust-
ment and strainrng every nerve to hold
up the price OF their products. They
probably know TINT this effort retards
return to prosperity, for lower prices
are needed to induce greater consump-
ton, but being protected by .be tariff
they cGn compel thu people to still pay
the price OF prosperity without partici-
pating in it.
The managers Of the great trusts are
all republicans; they have been fostered
by republican tariff Legislation and they
desire to keep the republican party in
power. 70 reduce the price Of their
products they would have to low or
wagee; and Just before national cleo.
ton would be likely to lead to disaster
to the party which protects them. They,
therefore, prefer to run their furnaces
on half or one.tlird time than to III.
crease their output and reduce prices
and wages. They hope to control the ir
workmen by Keeping them on half
time better by more WORK and reduced
pay.
There is one redceming feature that
eppeare to offset these discouragInv
facts. The price Of farm products con.
tinues fairly reInuner ative, go that
whereas there is much poverty in the
citiee there is plenty on the farms. 1t
ls appalling to think OF what con litIons
would now be il there had been crou
FAILURE the past year OF any Of the lead.
ing agricultural products The whole
country is now leaning ON the farmers
aud those who look ahead for eigns ri
the times arc fixing thei' gaze on VIVA,
the promise OF the next crops will be
both here and abroad, Cor good or had
crops will decide the business future Of
the country for the next year Mt least
Meanwhile, :he trusts and otIle,
tariff protected interests are bleeding
the farmers at every pore, for no on,
else can afford to buy trust products i,
any quantity on account Of high trus