The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1915-06-18
WAR TALK AND THE
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Industrial aActivity Increasing-De-
creased Labor Supply-The Final
Act of Bryan's Official Career.


In this time of controversy over
momentous International questions
numerous matters of more than
ordinary importance are being given
very little attention by the public.
The court decision in the case of the
government against the United States
Steel corporation, for instance,
should give new courage to business
interests generally 1t more than
counterbalances the decision of an
other court against the Southern Pa
and there is still hope that the latter
may be reversed by the supreme
court. -
In view of the possibility that this
country may become involved in a
struggle with Germany the remarka-
BILE luck of the United States should
be kept in mind. Whenever we have
gone to war many things we have
pened to cofound our enemies If
we must fight Germany, what better
time or conditions could be selected
than the present.
This country is entering upon an
era of great prosperity. If it be-
comes necessary for it to take part
in the war portion of it's tremendous
profits will be dissipated; but its in
larger. For long time to come the
American people are likely to con-
tinue beneftting through the ready
sale of their surplus products abroad
at very high prices
AS Industrial activity increases it
will be discovered that the labor sup
ply is scanty, hundreds of thousands
of native Europeans having left this
country in the past ten months and
gone home to fight.
For more than year past the gov
'ernment's figures have shown most
decided falling off in immigration, the
monthly decrease having ranged from
so to 80 per cent.
The first big slump came in June
last year and for the II months from
June1, 1914, to April 80, 1915, less
than 100000 immigrants arrived here,
comparing with more than 1,215 900 in
the corresponding period of the pre-
ceding year.
immigration supplies this country
with unshilled labor and this reduc-
tion of rs to 80 per cent during the
year, if continued, must soon begin
to have a profound effect upon the
labor situation here.
Under normal industrial conditions
the United States easily can absorb
1 1,250,000 immigrants a year. Undoubt-
ed1y there will be a rapid increase of
immigration after the European war
ends; but it is not improbable that
our Industries will be in serious need
of more workers than are available
before peace is re-established
While the retirement of William
Jennings Bryan from the position of
secretary of state is a cause for ma
tiona1 congratulation, the time and
the conditions surrounding his resig-
nation and the extreme lack of wis
dom he has displayed in his public
utterances have tended to complicate
the situation. If we are forced to go
to war with Germany Mr.. Bryan will
be chiefly to blame.
He can be thanked, however, for
the lesson he is teaching the Ameri-
can people IF his actions are prop
erly interpreted the voters will be
much more discriminating in the fu-
ture and will endeavor to avoid Sc
lecting for high offices men of doubt
full ability, judgment and statesman
ship.
Had Mr. Bryan cabled the ruler of
Germany, '1f 1 were Kaiser and re-
ceived the note my government is
sending you I should consider it good
reason for going to war;" the effect
would have been no different. The
most imaginative writer of fiction
would be unable to invent the tale of
a more egregious blunder.
Continued on Page 81