The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-02-06
Gloom Is Dispelled
By Business Cheer
Capital National Banks Review
Shows Many Idle Men Are
Put to Work

That optomisn pe,meates the
business fabric of the country
and commercial men feel more
hopeful of the future than they
did a month ago is the statement
made in the monthly trade letter
and forecast for February issued
by the Capital National bank.
THE business gloom of a
month ago has been transformed
into an atmosphere of cheer,
says the letter. ''The pessimist
of December is the optomist of
January. Disagreeable facts were
exaggerated last month, and ag-
reeable facts are being exagger-
ated now. The actual change in
conditions is not nearly as great
as the change in sentiment. Some
men believed published statemen
last month that between ten and
twenty million men were either
out OF work or We're laid off be-
cause Of slow business. As there
are only about twenty-five mil
Lion men employed in the country
the absurdity of this statement
is apparent.
ut is estimated that at one
time about a week before the
holidays between 100000 and
100000 men were idle, which
would be approximately 5 or 6
per cent of the men employed in
the country. AS from l per cent
to thre per cent of the coun-
try's male adult population is
always idle, the added number of
idle month ago was not SO un-
usual as was generally supposed.
Even an extra hundred thousand
idle men, however, affects the
whole business fabric, and no
one factor is doing more to ere
ate an optomistic feeling among
business people generally than
the returning to work Of thou
sands of these men. Within six
days $4,000 more returned to wor'
in the iron and steel industries
This means a living income for
10000 more people dependent
upon these men. Every time
another LOCO m,n are added to
the payrol4s, business generally is
given boost and if the present
rates Of unemployment continues,
the number ct idle men OIL FEB
lrary l will not be greater, if as
great, as the average number idle
on that date for the past two
years.
''The Presidents pronounce
ment of the attitude of the gov
ernment toward big business has
been we'll received. The message
which he read to Congress on
January 20 indicates that bust
ness will be allowed to: adjust it.
self to the laws and changing
conditions without being serious
ly disturbed. Peace is desired by
all, and apparently business peac
is nearer ours than it has been
for years past. The war between
the government and big business
has been a seven-year- war, whic'
has benefited no one.
The letter also gives a detailed
review Of the condition of the
market in many lines, and con-
cludes: II
Although the weather has
been unreasonable in most Sec
tions, crop and soil conditions
in all parts Of the. country are
excellent. The big fruit districts
are hopeful Of better than ave-
rage crops, as they have forti-
fled themselves this year especi- i
ally against sudden temperature
drops.
Even though the business to- !,
tails for 1914 may not exceed |
those Of 1913, the conditions Of :
business generally is healthier, |
and this year, in SO far as jldg- |
ment can be rendered on present /,
Indications, should prove prof. !,
table one to the manufactures,
and the farmer.
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