The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-05

continuation of healthy expansion. This
state of mind is graterui to the profess
sonal element which makes its money
On the generous cooperation of lie
great investing public The caution ana
deliberaton with which investors ana
traders have approached this situation is
a most encouraging factor, and is 50 re-
garded by men of affairs as we'll as the
professional traders 1t is very generally
regarded as a safe forecast of lively
times ahead in the financial distrct-not
alone in the stock market but i'll every
department and division of industry,
That takes in everything, one might say.
The year ahead is expected to witness a
marked improvement in one feature OF
railroad operation which will innure to
betterment in every way. And that Is
IN the improved efficiency of employees
In their anxiety to compel the payment
of higher wages railroad labor organiza-
tions have been interested mainly III
strengthening their powers in forgetiui-
ness of reciprocating Responsibilities
protecting their members against dlsci-
pline from the railroad managers theS
have unwittingly encouraged carelossness
and characterization with the result that
the chapter of accidents has increased
aiarmngly within the last year or Two
concerted movement has already peeii
commenced which promises to nave TIE
active cooperation of railroad labor ieao-
ers intended to raise the standard OF eltl-
cheney among those who have the actuai
harding of the traffic machinery
The movement contemplates the eXer-
else of greater care in the way of INSIDE
discipline"-that is, the inspiring Oh am
bition among union employees TO sreatei
care in the performance of their duties.
The demand is to weed out and discour-
age incompetency among the ehi-
IL he
which has been given u ION men SIMPLY
because they were u,don men. l.ahor
leaders appreciate the weakness of unions
In this respect and it is believed that a
higher ideal will be cultivated among
members of railroad labor ORGANIZATIONS
looking to an uplift in the standard OF
personal efficiency. This movement II
carried to success means an ehofiuoes
saving in life and property and a greater
degree of confidence on the part or the
public 1t will also mean a great SAVING
in operation which is that much net 10
the stockholders. The move IS as YET III
it's incipiency, but it is one of those thlnss
that is liable to go" with great rapld1ly
and effectiveness.
Experts who keep their hands on the
pulse of industrial activities agree tnat
there is a slight reaction from the DOOM
period of late autumn, bnt the depression
does not appear to be important IN any
quarter. Where there has been any no.
ticeabe decrease in the volume OF ne"
business it is almost invariably the case
that the books are full up with orders
for months ahead The steel companies
in particular could very easily stand a
moderate setback for they have enough
work ahead under contract to last 'neni
throughout the greater part of 1915. Inc
same is true in a more pronounced way
even in the copper industry. There seelus
For
rer manufacturing companies. Conditions
there are buoyant in the extreme, iact
which is reflected in the copper mining
and copper share market. production Is
going ahead at a record breaking pace
but there seems to be no fears OF over
supplies. Consumption keeps apace WIN
tho most sta1wart efforts of the miners,
and even in the face of certainty OF
largely increased output during 1919 prices
hold up remarkably