The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-15
BUMPER CRoPs-BIG BUSINESS.

Discussing the bumper crops and
their effect on business and the cost
of living. Henry CIews, the New York
banker has this to say in his current
weekly financial review:
This harvest has surpassed all rec
ords, and such brilliant results as were
indicated in Wednesdays government
report cannot but have a further slim
ulating effect upon business. Not only
are the crops the largest on record, but
in most cases, what is highly impor-
tant, quality is exceptionally good. 1t
should also be noted that the fruit
crops as n whole have been unusually
abundant, and that never in its his
tory has the nation been so generally
and so generously favored by nature.
All food products derived from plant
life should be relatively cheap this
year and aid materially in keeping
down the cos of living. Only meats
are likely to be dear, since the supply
of these has been actually declining.
If the cost of living is to be reduced,
it can only be accomplished by larger
product and less waste both of ma
terials and labor. Estimates now
place the value of agricultural prod
ucts this year as high as 100000
600. Possibly this figure is excessive,
but it is safe to say our farmers will
produce at least $500,00O,OO0 more
than last year. With such marvel
Gus increase in the bounty of nature,
it will be impossible to prevent an
active fall and winter trade. Pessi-
mism must shrivel away before such
results
Concerning the existing conditions
in the business world and the railroad
situation Mr.. Clews writes:
Intrinsic conditions continue salts
factory The volume of trade is large
and steadily increasing. There is no
abatement in the pressure of traffic
upon the railroads, which are certain
to make much more satisfactory re-
ports, gross and net, than a year
ago for the three months ending De-
cember 1. The only complaints now
emanating from railroad circles are
those relating to the congestion of
traffic and the scarcity of cars; the
latter an Inconvenience for which |
shippers are sometimes fully as re- |
sponsible as the railroads themselves. |
In some respects all traffic records are !
being broken, and not since the panic I
of 1907 have conditions been so sat- |
isfactory % railroads as they are to- |
day. OF course the present rush of
traffic will not continue indefinitely, |
and the railroads still have grave !
financial problems to meet, which /
cannot be adjusted unless, as in other |
lines of business, the railroads are al
lowed to compensate themselves for |
increased expenses by charging more |
for their services. This is the prob
lem now before the interstate COM |
merce commission, and the pressure F.
of public opinion should be brought to /
bear upon that body in order that the
attitude of it's members may be more
strictly judicial than heretofore. The +
board is composed of men of widely
diverse views, and thus far the anti
spirit has seemed to doni-
nate that august body. If it be true,
Is is charged, that the decisions have
hitherto largely been made with a
7iew of pleasing the public, it is only
air that the railroads should now re-
,eive in turn some consideration.