Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-05-22
The Business Situation Reviewed

There are accommodating evidences
that the worlds business interests
are taking on a more hopeful view of
things. They are beginning to sec
that they they have been looking at
the dark spots long enough Denun-
citation of administrations and condi-
tons and the general pessimistic ten
or of everything pertaining to COM
mercial activities have had their day,
and it is high time to talk on the
constructive side of the subject. With
the growing abundance of money and
the bright crop prospects, there is
every good reason for the improve
ment in the public thought concern
ing general business and less cause
for the anxiety that has been so long
entertained.
Without attempting to minimize
the still unfavorable conditions in
Mexico and the uneasiness which pre-
walls in labor and political affairs
abroad it must be admitted that both
political and commercial conditions
IN the United States are improving.
There is a growing belief among men
Of affairs that the administration at
Washington is sincerely DESTROYS that
business be given every opportunity
to expand and improve. President
Wilson's appointments for the feder-
ii reserve board have given much
satisfaction in financial and business
circles. The new monetary system
With conservative and thoroughly ex.
perienced financiers at the helm, is
expected to strengthen permanently
the finances of the country and be
. bulwark to business. The great
benefits to be derived from the new
system will be more generally ap.
Dreciated when the country has
emerged from the present slough Of
despond.
II railroad returns continue their
Improvement, as they seem likely to
do, general business, particularly iron
and steel lines, should be correspond
fngly stimulated. The railroad situa-
ton is one which has attracted much
attention lately. In company with
nearly every industry throughout
the world the railroads have suffer
Cd from a shrinkage in earnings and
IN expansion in operating costs. The
generally unfavorable railroad situa-
-tion has been accentuated by de-
plorable financial showing on the part
Of a number Of prominent systems.
One need only refer to the expert
ences In the last four years Of the
New Haven. Boston & Maine, st.
Louis G San Francisco, Missouri Pa
eific, Wabash and the Rock Island
TO call to remembrance the unwise.
not to say reckless, financial man
agement of former days which has
been responsible for the unhappy con.
dition in which these roads find them
selves. 1t needed only an unfarvor-
able money market and moderate
shrinkage in general business year
or so ago to bring to the surface con-
ditions that should never have exist
ed. Although it Is cold comfort to
those who have suffered loss as share
holders, it is nevertheless a good
thing for general business that these
odious financial affairs have been
brought to light. The business at
mosphere will be clearer as result
Many are now coming to the con-
clusion that the most unfavorable in
fuences have exerted their full force
and are now thing Of the past. The
turn for the better may come SOON
er than anticipated and it can hard
ly be far distant. A little more con-
hdenoe would do wonders toward en-.
cOuraging usiness-Christian Sci
ence Monitor. May 16.