The Washington herald., 1912-08-12
Business and the Campaign.

How is II that after the regular party
nominations have been made and the
platforms adopted, and We know how
the candidates stand upon the chief is
sues. and despite the launching of the
third party upon the waves of an active
campaign, there is a lack of the Gus
tomary feeling of doubt and apprehen-
sion and of the usual disposition to
wait and see how things are going to
turn out in business circles? The un-
easiness, somehow, appears to be dis
PEELED.
Evidently there is no fear of any
great commotion over the third party
and what it will do Nobody expects
it to accomplish anything serious. But
even were the regular Republican party
to be defeated, why should such pos
sibility be regarded with indifference?
Is il that the business men are salts
fed that the success or defeat of that
or any party is not necessary especially
for the promotion of prosperity:
There is something strangely para
doxical about the present situation in
the business world anyway. Ordinarily
at this time in a Presidential year there
Is a feeling of uncertainty and hesita-
ton on account of doubts concerning
the results of the campaign. Since the
panic OF 1907 and the depression that
followed It there has been only slow,
irregular recovery. This has been at
tributed to agitation over trust prosecu-
ton and antitrust legislation; changes
in the tariff, actual and apprehended; +;
increased expenses and diminished,
earnings OF railroads; the denial Of
advanced rates, &c.
While all this may have had its in
fuence incidentally. they are not to be
taken as fundamental causes Recovery
was bound to be slow The reaction
caused by a reversion from boom"
times had 10 be worked out by liquida-
ton of obligations and production of
new values on a lowered basis.
Still, the time had come for genu-
inc revival this year, if the country
should be blessed with good crops.
Somehow the customary perturbed state
of mind which was expected to be
rather aggravated than otherwise this
year does not seem 10 exist. The crop
prospects are fairly good. Industries
have become more active with increas-
ing profits There is every indication
of a growing traffic General business
necessarily feels the impulse. and even
the stock market is cheered up.
This Is not because the preliminary
canvass of the parties has been more
serene. We all know that the excite
ment over caucuses and primaries and
nominations has been greater than
usual. The forces that make for re-
newed activity in industry and trade
appear to be moving and to promise a
return of prosperity without regard to
the results of the November election.
. look for more uneasiness than usual
there is every indication of less. The
unrest is visibly subsiding. and a feel
ing of confidence is perceptibly rising.
Does this not signify a growing ten
dency among the people to withdraw
support from radical and drastic poll
cies in the treatment of abuses that
have been put in the way of correction,
and TO give their support rather to
safe and sane" methods with reason
able degree of conservatism?
There is a growing belief that eau
non is going to prevail; that chance
will be given for that prosperity to re-
turn for which everybody has been
waiting, and which everybody is ready
10 welcome; and that is why business
remains steady and the outlook is
cheerful.