New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-01
GREAT TRADE BOOM
NOT YET At HEIGHT
Feverish Industrial Activity
Predicted for 1918, with
Excellent Prices Ruling.
GOOD WAGES AND PROFITS
Financial Times" Publishes
Statistics of Output and
Consumption of Prin-
cipal Commodities.
BY Gable 20 The Tribune


London, Nov. 30.-Evidence continues
TO accumulate showing the magnitude
Of the trade boom now going on. That
il Is not yet on the crest of the wave
! IS the argument of a look published by
The Financial Times" entitled "Busi-
ness Prospects" The volume contains
complete statistics of the output and
consumption of the principal corlmodi-
ties of the worlds commerce, and sepa-
rate articles dealing with coal. iron.
copper, wheat. tin, oil, cotton. rubber,
shippins and railways. The principal
, departments of trade are summarized
as follows:
Coal-All collieries find full employ
ment and q ready market for their
maximum output. The prices of coal
will be higher than for any year since
1907, and possibly since 1900, the
profits on the capital invested in col
I liery undertakings being exceptionally
large aid employees of iron furnaces
and works will find full employment
throughout the year. Prices will touch
the best figures, and the average price
for the year will be the best since
1900. possibly since the Franco rus-
sian War. Capital invested in all sec
tons of the iron and steel industry will
earn exceptional profits. Copper pro-
auction and consumption will he the
greatest on record. and the demand
will exceed the supply.
Tin--Production VIII show an in
Z crease, but the demand again will ex-
coed the supply for shipping. High
freights will continue to rule I'M
III the early months of 1913. when a
reaction will set in. The year will be
profitable for ship owners, but not SO
profitable as 1912
Wheat-The demand and supply will
balance fairly evenly. Prices will be
strong Well into 1913 and will show a
rising tendency.
b Cotton-The demand for cotton man
+. ufactures will be healthy and equal 10
the current year. Employment in all
sections of the manufacture will be
consistently good. Profits of manu-
facturers will be satisfactory and
spinners can do better than for two or
three years past
Summary Of Trade Position.
After discussing the position and
prospects Of various departments of
trade and commerce. Business Pros
poets" sums up the position as follows:
Throughout 1913 industries general
lIy will be working with feverish activ-
lity, and the year will constitute one Of
those boom periods when the demand
is in excess Of the supply. The prices
of practically all commodities will be
at high figures, wages will be good. I'M
employment at a minimum and excep-
tional profits will be made by indus
trial undertakings"
Whether this exceedingly rosy fore
cast will be justified by events remains
to be seen, but certainly IT does not
seem unduly optimistic In view OF what
is taking place every day. Just now
for instance, IN the WOOL safes gong
on in London the demand is so great
owing to the activity Of the woollen
mills that prices have advanced about
10 per cent all around. Again. we
hear of a great shortage OF hands in
the manufacturing districts, and meet
ings are being held to discuss methods
of making the mills more attractive.
In the hosiery districts Of Leicester
shire manufacturers are seeking women
and girls to enable them TO cope with
the tremendous demand.
1t is not yory difficult TO predict good
times for the iron industry, with ship
building active and railways having
more money TO spend on repairs ana
renewals. There is certain 10 be
great demand. and the demand comes
ct q time when no stocks are on hand.
Copper and tin are other metals in de-
mand for which there is certain In
dicatfon of good trade.