New Britain herald., 1915-10-09

Wn1Ch now provide SoV,OUU,UUU or rev.
 enue ought to be retained; because if
 cut off the consumer would probably
 not receive any of the advantage.
 Small duties on tea and coffee would
 bring considerable revenue and would
 also be but slightly felt by the con-
 sumer, if at all. Very considerable
 revenue could be derived from stamp
 taxes, one of the most efficient and
 least objectionable forms of taxation.
 Present war stamp taxes will possibly
 be retained.
 War Discounted.
 The war mas been largely, if not en-
 tirely, discounted. We are now dis
 counting the approach of peace. Ow-
 ing to the numerous cross currents
 in trade, it is almost impossible to
 predict what the ultimate effect of
 the war will be upon this country.
 The world at large cannot benefit
 from wholesale destruction. Never
 theless, the United States unhampered
 by the derangement and Interruptions
 falling upon other nations, will be free to continue the natural develop
 ment of it's resources and to aid re- construction abroad, which will inev- itably make
 large demands upon American man ufacturers. Undoubtedly the early future of this country promises a period of prosperity resulting from renewed internal development, as we'll as from a larger share in the worlds trade. As an offset, however, we must take into consideration that Europe's buying power will be tenn porarily impaired, that the cost of productions in Europe will be placed at the lowest limit and that we shall not secure these foreign markets | a struggle in which we may | be temporarily handicapped by ihfla- | tion and high prices in the United States resulting from present abnor- 1 mai conditions and the great expan- | sion of credit. All indications point 1 to increased domestic activity dur | ing the approaching autumn and win i ter months.
 Our harvest as whole is the larg- | est and best on record. This means continued prosperity on a large scale ] in the agricultural districts. The wheat crop Is estimated at 1,002,029,- 900 bushels, or 100000 bushels above the record crop of 1912. Corn is figured at 3,626, 100000 bushels, or only 9S,000,000 bushels below the record. Oats are expected to reach 1, ,517, ,O00,000 bushels, or S91, 100000 above last year. These three crops show an increase of about 20 per cent. over the average of the last four years upon an expansion for the year of about 6 per cent. in Acreage. Prices of satisfactory results, and the masses will secure cheaper food; while the railroads must benefit unusually in he carrying of crops and in the stm- nlus to general business they afford. This big harvest is the best thing that 1as happened to the railroads in ong period, and may be of more val IS to them than the small conceS- sions granted by the Interstate Com nerce Commission. The activity of ihe steel trade, the largest industry n the country, and the prospects or ts continuance for months to come, Ire already matters of common The railroad situation continues to improve, traffic is grow ng. Decreases in earnings are be- coming less and less conspicuous. Inn DoTtant economies have been put into effect and a number of roads are al- 'eady feeling the benefit of advanced 'ates. Although some companies are still showing the adverse effects of past conditions. quite a number of standard properties such as Atihison and New Tory Central Ire making very encouraging pro- yress.
 Speculative situation Improved.
 The speculative situation has been