The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-10-13
Chicago Business Houses Be-
gin to Feel Lack of Con-
fidence in Mr.. Bryan.
Certain His Election VIII In
terrupt Resumption.
INTERVIEWS or MERCHANTS

Chicago. Oct 13.--In the opinion
of Chicago merchants, manufacturers
and banker. business recuperat.on in
the United States depends upon the
election OF William II. Taft to the
presidency.
II was disclosed yesterday, as an
illustration of what the arguments OF
many OF Chicagos leading citizens arr
based upon. that contracts for deliy-
cry of large orders or merchandise or
manufactured articles are being made
contingent upon the success OF the
Republican ticket November 3.
Several commercial leaders stated
that they had such orders IN their
possession which were given with tht
provision that they might be Cancelled
| If Mr.. Bryan should triumph at the
polls. Among Chicago merchants
who averred this be the fact were
John V. Farwell. of J. V. Farwell &
Co. wholesale dry goods merchants.
and Enos NJ Barton, president of the
Western Electric company.
Bankers Also Testify.
Bankers, among them James b.
Forgan. president Of the First Ma
tional bank; George NJ. Reynolds,
president OF the Continental, and
George e. Roberts. president OF the
Commercial National. reported that
they had knowledge of such a con-
tingency in the business outlook of
the nation. All stated that the eiec-
ton of Mr.. Bryan would have de-
lpress've effect. whereas the election
OF Mr.. Taft wo Id restore confidence
and Gctuate business men 70 push IN
dusiry and trade along all lines.
That the country IS greater than
Mr. Bryan or ahy political party is tn,
conviction OF many leading citizens,
but the nation. they argue. Is In a
condition where Il needs demand for
trade II recuperation in business Is to-
come In the near future.
John V. Farwell. in commenting
on the business condition as related
to the election result. asserted en-
phat.cally that the election of Mr..
Taft was the only outcome that
would restore business confidence.
Cites Own Observation.
"Our firm" said Mr.. Farwel. ''has
received numbers of orders that have
been made conditional upon the cleo
ton of Mr.. Taft. | believe, judging
from the general attitude of business
49,, ,b,o,oho,,t Tho o.ountrv aud f,op,
my own experience in business trans
actions in the last few months, that
hat the election of Mr.. Bryan would
result IN cancellation of business or
ders in all lines OF trade. With the
election of Mr.. Taft the business men
OF the nation would feel satisfied to
go ahead and push things and conf
dence would accumulate rapidly.
"In business, as every one knows,
confidence is everything. The people
must know what the government is
going to do IN order that they may
have confidence. The government
must have the right man IN the right
place II business is TO rally and our
commercial affairs return to their nor
nal status.
"If we do not have that II Is certain
that money will not be invested for
a long time. at least until the country
learns what the change of administra-
ton Is TO bring forth.
Sees General stagnation.
81 do not believe that the deterrent
effect of Bryan's election would be as
disastrous as II would have been in
1S96. This much Is certain, however;
II would cause a general closing down
Everywhere because there would ex-
ist no demand. We are not in a con-
dition where We can stand such an
undesirable development. We want
things the ether way. Business needs
the demand and we must have II II
liz is to pick up. The election OF Taft
WI inStil life into trade beyond any
doubt"
James b. Forgan Is firmly OF the
belief that the election OF Bryan
would bring business TO standstill
lin the country. and he has many as
surances of that fact from large cap
lltal.kts, manufacturers and merchants
with whom he has discussed the po-
lltical outlook.
There is absolutely no doubt, y
said Mr.. Forgan, THAT the election OF
Mr.. Bryan would bring business to a
istandstill. There IS also 70 doubt
THAT such a political result would keep
business at a standstlll for some time
Ito come.
Business Men Cautious.
Business men, as a rule. are OPP
posed TO Mr.. Bryan's theories and are
,afraid OF his suggestiors. Should he