The Washington times., 1914-08-01

Among the opinions expressed on the
subject were the following:
Robert n. Harper, president of the
district National Bank: There has
zen much talk of the expectation OF
sold which is now taking place. This
but natural, as that gold is going
ut 70 pay for the American securities
hich foreign investors have been sell
New York for more than two weeks.
L should be remembered, however, that
NJ purchasers IF those stocks arc
,mericans, and that they have secured
the stocks at from 10 to % points Be-
W their recent prices. At the conclus-
IN of hostil,ties. If such should result,
mere will again be a market for Amer
iran stocks, and the present holders
IN dispose of them at good profits.
Meanwhile. however, the gold which
We have been shipping would be turn
q hack for the food supplies which
,is country will lie called upon to sup
III permit us to make large expnrta-
Ions. and the grains which We viii
nip will command record prices.
can see only one result, the reaping
Of great profits by the United States.
Means Prosperity Here.
George W. White. president of the
National Metropolitan Bank: Should a
neral war occur in Europe there would
naturally be a great depression in this
country for a short while owing to the
heavy selling of American stocks and
bonds. Within a short time, however,
there would be a revival in business
demands which the countries involved
N the strife would make on the Uni
ted States for supplies.
There would, of course. be material
rise in the price of foodstuffs here at
Tome but with a wheat crop of more
than 10000, 900 bushels we could furnish
much grain for expectation. On the
Their hand the American laborer would
in a position to pay higher prices,
nee the factories would be required
'o work overtime to meet the demand
S0r goods, and consequently, could al
ord TO pay higher wages"
War a Benefit To U. S.
Benjamin Woodruff, president of the
}ashinkton Stock Exchange and
7smber of the firm Of Lewis Johnson
> Co. bankers and brokers: "Once
General war such as now appears to De
imminent in Europe shall have been
suCurated the effect on this coun-
~ would I believe. prove beneficial.
his country would be the principal
rarket for the beligerent powers and
= transportation lines and great in
-strial institutions would be kept busy
pplying their needs.
I do not think that the stock mar
is would be benefited. On the con-
airy they would likely suffer. rs the
reign investors by whom a great
art Of our securities are held would
forced to sell their holdings and con-
art the proceeds TO other uses. This
ould NATURALLY lower prices, and the
aTdeuinE of money prices that would
suit from a great world war would
inmate 20 a large degree all s1ecu-
alive dealing in the stock market
hich ADDS much OF the activity that
cNists OH the exchanges. The coun-
y generally. howe er. and the bust
ess man and farmer in particular.
ould profit through general Eu-
ropean war
Sees Only Benefit.
Ashton 6. Chaplain. president Of tine
commercial National Bank: IF We are
have q war OF as wide scope rs now
Dpears 10 threaten Europe, do not
ink that il could occur at a more OPP
.rtune time This country is now har-
sting TIE greatest crop that II has
yer known and the United States. the
.incipaI source of food supply for the
ountries involved. was never in bel
-r position to meet the demands which
III necessarily be made upon its re-
.rUrCcs than at present.
Furthermore. Wall street is now