The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1915-08-19
Washington Letter


favor Of the United States and this
country is enjoying prosperity in spots,
there is accumulating evidence that
this sort Of prosperity is Of no perma-
nent value to the people Of the Uni
ted States. The spotted character OF
the revival Of business conditions, is
sued by the Chamber Of Commerce Of
the United States, a nonrpOlitical body.
The review says:
Lumber interests are everywhere
very quiet. A general dearth OF build
ing outside Of the large cities is hay-
ing very depressing effect on the
sale Of all building material. Coal
mining is everywhere dull, largely be-
cause Of slack demand from the rail
roads and the slow business is at low
stage because Of lack Of demand. I'm
favorable reports come alike from the
fisheries Of Oregon, Washington, the
Gulf, and along the Atlantic Coast.
Manufacturing varies much accord
ing to the articles made, though in
general is very quiet. Steel and iron
business shows distinct improvement
with increasing orders. Those manu-
facturers in different sections who have
orders for war contracts are exceeding
" busy. Furniture business in Mi
chigan, northern Indiana, and Chicago
is alike dull. Paper mills are running
only three quarters time. Cement
factories and those making bricks and
tile report only fair business. The
oil industry as a whole is exceedingly
dull. There is very little demand Tor
railroad ties"
In general, the agricultural outlook
is good, owing to favorable weather
conditions, but with manufacturing at
low level the farmers will have to
TO look to Europe for their market.
Victor Morawetz, one Of the ablest
economists in the United States, sees
no cause for congratulation in the
huge war orders that are pouring into
this country. 1T is plain and up to
the present time the war has not in
creased material prosperity in the Uni
ted States" he declared. This is
shown by the wide spread unemploy'
ment Of labor, BY the large falling OF
in the production Of basic raw materials
Of industry as iron, steel, coal
and lumber-and By the prevailing
general depression Of business.
"A large foreign trade balance in
favor OF the United States will not it
self bring US prosperity. In the tu-
ture as at the present time a large
trade balance may be more than offset
by lessening Of production OF forms
wealth that do not enter into foreign
trade. In this connection it should
not be overlooked that an increase ol
the prices Of foodstufs and other
products does not represent gain to
tho people Of the United States, ex,
cept as TO the small portion Of these
loodstufis and other products that can
be exported.
Most Of the ioodstuffs and Other
thing produced by US are required fol
consumption at hUme, and any increse
OF their prices must be paid BY the
people Of the United States. Thus,
if 20 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 States Of The in
creased price Of only the 20 per cent
Of the crop. The profit received b.
or farmers from the sale Of four'fith'
their crop at the increased price wou!C
have to be paid by consumers in th'
United States. and principally by tht
laboring classes"
It is now heralded 10 the world tha
the president intends to make nationa
defonse "one Of the principal subjects
of his annual message 10 congress. Ii
the ordinary run Of things, Congres
will not assemble lor four months, S
there is plenty Of time for skillfu
campaign Of advertising for the presi
dents chang. Of heart. In one sense
national defense was one Of the prir
Il L. l.,