Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-13
TRADE AWAITS
DEFINITE NEWS
FROM FARMERS
Realization of Crop Promises and
Increase in Freight Rates viii
Stimulate Trade.

NEW YORK, July 12-It is the be-
lief Of the Fourth National Bank,
formed after hearing from CORE
spondents in all parts of the country,
that the two things needed to slim
ulate general business this year are a
realization Of the best crop promises
and the granting of the per cent
freight increases asked by the East
ern railroads
THE outlook for the crops is still
reassuring," the bank says in its bull
letin, but in some quarters the
promise is for a somewhat reduced
yield of wheat and corn. 1t is still
too early to attempt definite esti-
mates, but on the basis of both pub
lie and private advices the chances
are that the people of the United
States will this season as usual de-
rive a vast amount Of new wealth
from the soil
Farmers Hopeful.
The farming communities are
hopeful. This optimism is cautious,
however, since it is obvious that in
some lines Of trade there has been a
decided slackening, with a DISPOSE
ton to proceed slowly with respect to
new business until a new tariff law
has been enacted.
Business men everywhere contin-
1e to conduct their affairs on a hand
to-mouth basis, and it is probable
that there will be little broad buying
by the small merchants until the crop
prospects are absolutely sure. This is
natural enough in view Of the fact
that the crop scare period is near
at hand when the markets ordinarily
pass through an interval Of uncer-
tainty respecting the possible effects
of high temperatures and drouth in
the wheat and corn area.
"The decision Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission to hear the petit
ton of the Eastern railroads with
reference to increasing freight rates
5 per cent shows that the commits
sion is alive to the needs of a situa-
ton which is becoming each day. more
embarrassing to the railroads.
Railroads to Win.
There seems to be a consensus OF
opinion that the railroads will win
their case and that the advance in
freight rates asked for will be grant
ed next autumn.
There are indications that the pub
lie is favorable to the increase, al
thought it will be necessary for the
railroads to prove their claims and to
show beyond doubt that the increased
revenue is needed In order to pay
them for rendering the service called
for by the people of the territory
served
THE people of the United States
apparently view this step very diff
ferently from what they did three
wears ago when the increase asked
for was turned down by the commits
sion and strongly objected to by the
shippers organizations everywhere.
This disposition on the part of
the public to view the matter without
prejudice and to act justly is Of great
importance, coming as it does at the
moment when the United States Su-
preme Court has handed down a Sc
ries of remarkable decisions in the
so-caIled Minnesota and other rate
cases where the right Of State Rail-
road Commissions to fix rates within
the limits of their own States was
upheld except in cases where a rail-
road is able to show that the imposi-
ton of a specific rate would be con-
fscatory or insufficient to pay for
the service rendered.
Interests Are Common.
The fact is that the public is COM
ing to see that the welfare of whole
communities is tied up with the well
fare of the railroads, and that there
can be 10 thoroughgoing prosperity
for the country as a whole if the COM
mon carriers are not prosperous, or
are denied a proper return on the
capital invested.
This question has come to be of
the greatest importance because OF
the steady advance in wages, the in
creased cost of financing, and the
larger relative outlay for every va
riety of railroad equipment