Evening journal., 1915-08-20
PROSPERITY AND WAR ORDERS.

A LTHOUGH war orders have turned the balance OF
"A trade in favor Of the United States and this
country is enjoying prosperity in spots. there is
cumuatng evidence that this sort of prosperity is Of
no permanent value to the people of the United States
The spotted character the revival of business ac-
vity shown in the latest review of business condi
tions, issued by the Chamber OF Commerce of the
United States, a non-political body. The review
says
Lumber interests are everywhere very quiet
general dearth of building outside of the large cities
is having very depressing effect the sale of all
building material Coal mining is everywhere dull
largely because Of slack demand from the railroads
and the slow business in most manufacturing. Slate
mining in Pennsylvania is at a low stage because of
lack of demand. Unfavorable reports alike
the fisheries Of Oregon Washington the Gulf and along
the Atlantic coast.
Manufacturing varies much according to the arti-
cles made though in general it is very quiet Steel
and iron business shows distinct Improvement with
increasing orders. Business of cotton and woolen
mills is only fair Those manufacturers in different
sections who have orders for contracts ex-
ceedngly busy. Furniture business in Michigan
northern Indiana, and Chicago is alike dull Paper
mills running only three-quarters time. Cement
factories and those making bricks and tile report only
fair business The oil industry a whole is exceed
ngly dull There is very little demand for railroad
ties"
In general the agricultural outlook is good owing
to favorable weather conditions but with manufactur
ing at a low level the farmers will have to look to Eu
rope for their market
Victor Morawetz of the abest economists in the
United States for congratulaton in the
huge war orders that pouring into this country
ut is plain that to the present time the in Eu-
rope has not increased material prosperity in the
United States" he declared "This is shown by the
widespread unemployment of labor by the large fall
ing off in the production of basic raw materials Of
industry-such iron, steel, coal and lumber-and
by the prevailing general depression of business.
"A large foreign trade balance Of the United
States will not of itself bring prosperity In the fu-
ture as at the present time large trade balance
be more than Offset by essening of production of
forms wealth that do enter into foreign trade
In this connection should overlooked that an
increase Of the prices of foodstus other products
does not represent gain to the people of the United
states. except to tho small portion of these food
stuifs and other products that can be exported.
Most of the foodstunfs and other things produced
by required for consumption at home. and any
increase Of their prices must be paid by the people Of
the United States Thus. if 30 per cent of our wheat
crop should be exported so per cent increase of the
price of wheat would represent a gain to the United
of the increased price OF only the 20 per cent
of the crop The profit received by farmers from
the sale of fourffhs Of their crop at the increased
price would have to be paid by consumers in the
United States and principally by the laborng classes