The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-04-01
GOVERNMENT SPENDING MORE
THAN IN ANY PEACEFUL PER-
TOD or HISTORY.
Extravasancs Began With the End Of
the Last Democratic Administra-
ton, That Of Cleveland.

NEW YORK. Eprir 1-(SpeciaD-
Fluctuations on the stock exchange
have been confined to very narrow
limits more confident undertone
prevails in the market, based upon the
belief that all known unfavorable con-
ditions have been discounted; yet the
inertia that has prevailed for the past
two mon his continues, being mian-
taiEed By the abcence of many large
operators as .Ycll as the general dull
ness of business. The future is being
watched with close interest, particu-
larly in regard TO crops and the tariff.
For winter wheat the outlook at pres
ent is quite satisfactory much m ore
50 than a month or two ago. Very
shortly preparations will be in order
for planting all crops, and as prices
for farm products at present are un-
usually profitable the outlook is for a
full acreage during the coming year.
The country requires an increase in
yield of at least five per cent in all
it's principal crops, cotton perhaps ex-
cer ed; and in some cases an increase
Of as much as 10 per cent would be
advisable, either thr ,ugh larger acre
age or better cultivation. This would
insure more reasonable prices for food
products, thus reducing the cost of
living about which so much complaint
is justly heard. 1t would also stimu-
late larger exports, the decline OF
which during the last year has been
one of the most unfortunate accom-
paniments of our business depression.
Larger exports OF agricultural pro-
ducts would do more than anything
else towards restoring the equilibrium
Of our foreign trade, would stimulate
business at home, would INCREASE rail-
road earnings and insure continued
prosperity to our farmers because the
larger yield would amply offset any
shrinkage in values, resulting from in
creased supply The country has SUI
fered long enough from the fallacies
of restricted production, which are
no: hing less than industrial suicide.
been made, though qui e as much as
expected. 1t must be taken for grant
ed that the worst is known in the mat
ter of revision. The Payne bill, while
some glazing defects, was
upon The whole a measure which in
Dictated an earnest effort towards tariff
revision 1t is conceded that the rates
as reported in that bill were the low
est which could be possibly enacted.
Consequently the worst is known as to
changes of that character, and the
are that during the dis
cussion many changes will be made, |
and these will be chiefly in the di-
rec.ion of higher rates than those
named in the original draft. This, of
course, while discouraging to tariff re-
facturers and others dependent upon
tariff support. The great body of man
ufacturers and merchants are now
more injured by uncertainty Than by
any probable revision. Their chief de-
sire is to have these problems and ir-
OlSCuSSlOIlS CAOCO III OlOOi |
that they may go ahead with plans |
Ind work either contemplated or be-
gum There is no doubt that great |
deal Of business is being held back
awaiting the settlement. of these vexed ,
problems. This dullness in business is,
being further aggravated by !
weakness shown in many commodity
markets. The declines in prices have !
not been confined to steel and copper,
for nearly all of the principal mer-
chandise markets show more or less /
weakness at first hands. AS result !
Of tariff uncertainty and weakness in |
prices many orders are held in sus- |
pense, and business is being transacted
upon a purely aand-to-mouth basis.
Production is being curtailed,. wages