The Washington times., 1914-01-04
SURVEY FINDS NO
.. UNUSUAL SLUMP
Chamber of Commerce Expects Report Industrial Status OF
the Country-Hope for Ch reaper Meat-ManutaCtur-
ing Elements Feel Tariff Changes Is Opinion

try the report finds that the dairy
business all over the United states,
with scarcely an exception, is pecom-
ing the most valuable OF all the pur-
suits of husbandry and one most
profitable to farmers. Dairy cows
alone Of all cattle were more numer-
Gus in 1910 than in 1900.
In New York New Jersey, and Penn
sylvauia the report finds that crops
we're fairly good but that the manufac-
turing industries were somewhat below
par. Based on the observation in these
States, the survey gives this Conclu-
sion:
ANY general statement as to condi-
ton of manufacturing throughout the
United States would at present be both
misleading and inaccurate, since this
condition varies according to localit.
and the nature of the product.
No Fear of Tariff.
The textile industry is adjusting it
self to changed conditions resulting
from decrease in tariff rates, but the
effect so far does not justify previous
spprehensions. The paper manufactur-
ing business is below normal, while
shoe manufacturing is good. with a
prospect of an advance in prices. This
is true likewise of the leather tanning
business. All manufacturing connected
intimately with the railroad and with
the steel and iron industries is neces-
sarily feeling the depression of these
two great branches of business
In Pennsylvania crops were good last
year, but the steel and iron industry suf-
fered from a lack of orders, mills run
ming with reduced forces to only a per
cent of capacity. A further reduction
in this capacity is predicted during the
winter months, with an increase in de-
mand in the later winter and early
spring to replenish depleted stocks. The
oil and gas industry is in excellent con-
dition, but other industries are either
only fair or poor.
New YorSsS crops were not quite up
TO the average last year. Fruit was dam
aged by frost an dother crops by
drought. Lumber is fair, as is the man
ufacturing industry and canning fac
tories. The paper mills were not up to
normal and in general there was much
complaint about tight money"
New Jersey crops were fair, buc the
silk industry suffered from strikes.
Leather, glass, and machine shops were
from fair" to good"
New England Conditions.
Conditions IN New England were much
mixed. The decline in the price of the
atocks of the New York, New Haven
and Hartford and the Boston and Maine
c.; as and the passing of dividends eN-
ercised a serious effect throughout the
district Textile industries were only
fair, as was lumber. The shoe manu-
faGtuIers were prosperous.
Whatever the rest Of the country was
doing the suTvey shows that conditions
in the Southern States were not unduly
fiourishiDg in most industries. climatic
disadvantages being the chief deterrent
This section is summarized as follows:
Throughout the southeastern Atlantic
States mercantile business is in good
volume, and this is true in general
throughout the West. and the South
1 t5u>iness varies much in these sections
acooIding to locality. Where crops were
good business Is fairly active, and in
sections where crop returns last year
were poor business is correspOndingIy
quiet
THE crops Of 1919 were on the average
| below normal, and notwithF tanding the
! high prices that they command the eff
feet in general of this Erea: loss has
| been widespread, even beyond those sec
tions where crop returns were poor Ap-
parently. this fact has much t., do with
the quietness and the conservatism of
business in many sections
Despite this synopsis the report by