Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-10
There Is q Reason.

Aers with the purpose OF learning 'iien
views concerning the prevailing de-
nression of business and industry
Portland is proud to own the biggest
plant for the manufacture Of marine
hardware in New England But LOT
all that fact, this big concern, since
the first of January, has been forced
to reduce its employees 20 per cent be-
cause of the general slackening up OF
business, says the writer.
This Portland concern makes spec
ial product, one designed for use OF
vessels only. The men who turn out
the marine hardware are trained spec
ialists A dropping of one-fifth of the
men has made a decrease in the pay
roll Of the company of $500 a week.
Said the head of the company; "A
firm that would order $500 worth or
goods last year Is placing an order for
but SIS worth this year. Our custom
ers are ordering goods, but they want
only a little OF them at time They
do not want to stock up. They say
there is no business and they can't
afford TO have big supply on hand
Continuing his discussion of pres
ent industrial conditions, as he had
found them in his business and in 9TH
ers. this manufacturer declared that
every one with whom he had talked
or with whom he had had any cor
respondence reported that he was do
ing just enough business to keep go
ing. In other words it was season
of marking time.
There is feeling Of apprehension
said the manufacturer. The business
men with whom we deal have turned
anxious eyes on Washington. One
piece of legislation has followed an
other We all know what the tariff
has done 1t is not certain that the
currency bill will work out we'll, but
the prospects are good now. There is
no telling what may be done in regard
TO trusts The next legislative step
nobody can foresee. It is this state of
uncertainty that has upset business
conditions. Merchants are not stock
ing up with goods, because they can't
tell how they viii be affected. Manu-
facturers are not turning out their
lno~zr fk1ra q
no demand"
That is only one firm, but il is one
of the straws that point the way OF
the national psychology" The Presi-
dent complains that he is being used
unfairly because the truth is being
told about the working out of his poll
cies and his lack of policies. Every
day he and his secretary of State with
their cabinet advisers are digging the
hole deeper into which the Democratic
party has f1oundered. Every day they
are making friends for the Republican
party by revealing the contrast be-
tween the tried and successful policies
of half century and the fallacies of
dreamers and political pretenders.
The psychology of the hour is
apparent in every gathering-the re-
rnarkable swing Of events and senti-
ments toward the Republican party.
It is felt in every hamlet of the coun-
try thus early in the campaign. and
there Is Just cause for 1.-THE just as
remarkable series of plumbers, acts of
incompetency and lack of sound judg-
ment on the part Of the national ad-
ministration. 1t can be accounted for
in no other manner. Before the
Maine (only September State) cam
paign is fairly under way the Demo
cratic party will be licked to stand
still, waiting in a corner like an aged
pauper counting death, its only hope
that progressiveism" will reduce Re-
publican strength enough to save
Democracy.
A little industrial depression IN this
town, few idle working men In that
a small reduction in the returns fol
products of an industry, slight raise
in the cost of living-each of these
may seem small in its place but
throughout the country they make
a tremendous whole. 1t is useless fol
the Democratic party to deny them
because the people know, and denia
only shows the fair-minded man VIII,
II is that is aiming TO deceive.
The state efficiency and econom,
committee was told by the secretary
treasurer Of the United Mine Worker
that of the 10000 mine workers in I'LL
nois 10000 are now idle and many o
them at the verge OF starvation. Cal
the Democratic party prevent the PEG
PIE of this country learning of thes
things by shrieking calamity bowler
at every one who states the facts?
It is only necessary to bring a fe,
plain facts to the attention of the vol
ers, this year, to show them their du
~ ~ fherneeiveS ana the cop,+r,,