Middletown transcript., 1908-10-31
WHEELS WILL 90 ROUND
4 TaiI ! EIseIed Say Manaiaeturer

II Taft Is Elected Say Manufacturers
The National Association of Manufac.
turers, through its organ, American In
dustries, has just completed canvass OF
its 5000 members throughout the United
States IN nearly every line of trade to as
certain the country's commercial status
twelve months after the panic. The can.
vas was not made to serve any political
purpose, and the forthcoming election
was not mentioned, but the members Of
the association have taken advantage of
one of the questions to declare that pros
perfty depends upon the election OF Taft.
The canvass was made by means of
letters sent out two weeks ago. Four
questions were asked of the members re-
lating to the exact condition of trade at
present, the percentage of increase in
business in the last ten months, the pos
sibilities for future improvement and any
suggestions which might serve to better
future conditions. Everybody answered
the last question by suggesting that Taft
be elected.
Agricultural implements show the
largest percentage ofincrease and vehicles
the lowest. The textiles show small
percenta.e .e of increase with a rather un-
favorable outlook, while leather and its
manufactures and the lumber industry
are fairly satisfied and optimistic. Very
little attention is paid to the tariff as a
disturbing element, but number of
manufacturers, especially those interested
in railway supplies and allied trades,
complain against pending or threatened
railway legislation.
The steel trade and the movement of
pig iron. which form the most accurate
barometer of trade conditions, make a
distinctly encouraging report, as 70 per
cent. of the iron and steel plants in the
association report conditions good, TS
per cent. have had an increase during the
last ten months, and IS per cent. have
reason to believe that prospects for the
immediate future are reassuring. Ma
chinery, including all classes throughout
the country, shows present conditions 68
per cent. good, and rs per cent. OF the
machinery manufacturers have had an
increase since January 1st last. Only
one manufacturer Of agricultural imple-
ments lie pessimistic regarding the future.
In food products SO per cent. report
business good, "a per cent. have had an
increase, and all are optimistic for the
future. Lumbermen report S5 per cent.
good, and 80 per cent. have had an in
crease, while SO per cent. of them are
hopeful for the future. Of the leather
manufacturers 81 per cent. report good,
"a per cent, have had an increase, and
SO per cent. are optimistic.
Other percentages from the various
trades reporting conditions good, an in
crease of business and good possibilities
for the future are as follows:
Tools and hardware, II, s. and 90;
drugs and chemicals, S3, so and 80; paper
and printing, rs, 76 and "a; textiles, IS,
II and SO; vehicles, 81, 56 and S5.
James w. VanCleave, president of the
National Association OF Manufacturers,
says of the outlook:
''Nearly every issue Of the trades pa
pers all over the country reports the re-
opening of steel, cotton and woolen mills
and the increase in the working forces Of
some of these already open. There are
fewer idle persons in the United States
now than at any previous time since the
beginning of the scare last November.
Aside from the cbance-the very remote
chance-that Bryan may be elected there
is not cloud on the business horizon, SO
far as / can see at this moment.
''Let it be remembered that in the
shape in which it presents itself tariff ad-
justment will cause no perceptible halt in
the revival of trade. By its platform and
the repeated promises OF its candidate the
dominant party is pledged to revision.
Just as have urged, the revising ia to be
done by an extra session of congress just
as soon as the new president enters office
in March. 1909. The adjustments will be
done in the interest of the American
manufacturer, the American worker and
the American consumer and not in the
interest of the manufacturers and work
ers of Great Britain, Germany, Japan
and the rest of Europe and Asia.