The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-06

1 tlO0 Oh iADOTs tuo cuAu80 Al t1Ao AnsSs
est rate ON first class railroad securt-
ties, the Balkan war, Mexico. the tariff.
the currency-it seemed that there
never were 70 many influences against
prosperity. And yet We have had q
good year. In some activities 1t has
been a phenomenal year. In others.
business has been only fair. In most.
it has been good. When the pessimistic
discussion was going on last year. the
Worlds Work asked few distinguish
ed men OF business, farm authorities.
railroad presidents. and bankers what
they thought Of the business outlook.
and their answers. contrary to much
current discussion, were generally opti-
mistic. This year again there are trou-
bled rumors, and the same editors have
asked some Of the same authorities the
same question that was asked last
year. The dominant note Of their re-
plies again Is optimism.
Much depends upon tho reform OF
our banking and currency laws" says
Mr.. George M. Reynolds. president OF
the Continental & Commercial National
bank, of Chicago. 1.-THE proposed meas
IRE aims at some of the worst defects
Of our present system.
''All things considered. what IL ordi-
narily termed a boom Is no more to
be expected than desired during the
next few months; but with the tarin
settled, and given an adequate banking
and currency law, there Is no reason
why every man who goes about his AZ
fairs with that combination of con-
servatism, sagacity. determination. ana
energy that is characteristic OF Amert-
cans should not continue to transact
a normal volume Of business"
Indications point to favorable busi-
ness conditions in the southeastern Sec
ton, according to w. w. Finley, presi-
dent of the Southern railway-at least,
for the first part of 1914. LAS to the
latter part Of the year." says Mr.. Fin
ley, after describing the particular
reasons for his optimism. 80 much de-
ponds on what may be the agricultural
outlook at that time that it is fmpos-
sible to make predictions with any de-
gree of confidence, but the economic
sire Myth of the southeastern section. as
an agricultural region and as manu-
featuring region producing its own raw
materials and its own fuel for power.
is so great that there is no reason to
expect any setback in business unless
brought about by a condition OF gen.
eral and widespread business depres-
sion such as 1 see no reason to appre-
bend.
.I. v.f n n oats.
hay crops, as compared with last year.
in the opinion Of DR.. Henry Wallace,
editor of Wallace's Farmer, can mean
only higher prices for all kinds OF
meat, consequently a higher cost to the
consumer unless more direct routes are
found from the farm to the table. These
higher prices mean that the farmers.
taken as a whole, will have quite Al
many dollars with which to supply their
wants as they did last year. The conse-
quences Of the crop shortage, however,
will not be as disastrous as would ap-
pear at first sight.
"As to what will be the effects Of the
reduction of the tariff on business"
says DR.. Wallace, mo man can give
definite, positive opinion. I do not ex-
pect 1t to be az disastrous az antici-
pated by the beneficiaries Of high tar
IFS; nor do I expect it to reduce great
ly the cost of liying-for which 1t was
framed. Business has been
reductions in the tariff,
and has been going slow. which il
both the wisest and safest method
when we are passing through a fog.
" neither on land or on sea. 1t may
be that the anticipated jar will not be
felt much except in sections which had
excessive protection.
Altogether. look for Moderate BUSH
ness sanely conducted, a slight lowering
In the cost Of clothing: no increase In
the rate Of wages: and. a cessation OF
Fundamentally, our BUSH
ness is on a sound basis, with no symp-
toms Of panic, and a tendency to con-
servation both in production and con-
.~'''s ~ A.
The general public doesn't realize how
favorable business conditions are, in the
opinion Of E. c. Simmons. of the Sim
mons Hardware company-an opinion
based upon the reports Of 500 travelling
men and from agricultural colleges and
other sources of information.
After carefully analysing current con-
i1itions Mr.. Simmons concludes:
This. however. Is in a certain sense
a waiting period. The masses of the
people have been waiting upon three
the passage of the tariff bill.
q settlement of the currency legislation.
and the adjustment Of the troubles in
"As these three waiting problems
are cleared away. 1t IL my judgment
that business will take on new life,
new force, and activity to a degree
that perhaps will cause some people
to hf,4iaxre that II An Lat,