West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-12-02
Marvellous r''.2 a. V.''.s

$50 kf~eshhb RhOopcfity txteuoS IN
area and amplifles In volume with ev-
cry passing week. and there seems no
end to the demands frJm abroad and
from home for the products of the
lands and the outputs OF the indus
trial establishments.
New Industrial enterprises involy-
Ing scores OF millions OF dollars in
vestment are being organized, while
within the period from November /
to this writing extensions and expan-
sions for well-established industries
looking to greater capacities in out
puts have been reported to an aggre-
gate Of expenditures OF more than
/ 10000. 900.
In the industrial districts shortage
OF labor is becoming acute, while the
tendency OF wage scales is decidedly
| upward.
More than 172,000 Italians have left
the United States during the past six
teen months, responding to the call OF
their country for their services as
soldiers. while immigration to this
country in the meantime has been less
than in any year of the past 60 years.
The departure OF Russian, British,
Italian and French nationals has de-
pleted the labor supply by probably
100000 persons. but the gains in pop
ulation and in numbers now employed
that were idle for months past make
the actively employed at this time the
largest number ever recorded in the
history of the United States.
II one goes to the farms, he finds
prosperity in its highest form.
III one goes to the mines. whether
OF gold, coal. copper, zinc, lead or iron.
he finds greater numbers OF persons
employed than ever before, wage
scales averaging higher and employ
ers making fine profits.
III the iron, steel and coke districts
are visited, the outputs are found to
break all records, the orders on file
are sufficient to absorb capacity out
puts for nearly year ahead. the pay
rolls are stupendous In amounts and
l dividends are being earned in marvel
Gus percentages.
| III the railways of the country are
inspected. they will be found more
honest with the public and with net
earnings far greater than at any prior
time under either Republican or DEM
ocratic administrations.
| The telegraph and telephone COM
panies are rolling in wealth and. de-
spite their huge capitalizations. are
reporting great percentages of pro-
fits.
| III one takes the sugar refineries, the
Standard Oil companies, the steel cor
porations as types of big business
which were targets. or supposed tar
gets under the Republican admins
trations since the days OF the lament
ed Mckinley. they seem now to be
under the most benign and beneficient
auspices and are raking In their mil
lions OF profits without being accused
or dishonesty or charged as being
malefactors Of great wealth."
These industrial corporations are
employing more capital, giving work
10 more persons, committed to greater
business activities, and presumably
their books will show greater profits
for their stockholders than at any
prior period in their history.
The story of business Improvement
and development in this Union for the
past fifteen months is the most won
dertui and amazing that has ever had
place in the annals OF time.
He that runs or walks in any town
or city or district of the United States
can read 1t easily and, if an American.
with the utmost satisfaction. Pros
perity Is here to stay for decades II
rightly Observation-Disclosures Post.