The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-01-07
Says OPTIMISM
Grips COUNTRY
BUSINESS OUTLOOK IN sTRIk-
ING CONTRAST TO THAT
OF 1915.

four months OF 1915 Is In StrlklnB con-
trast to that prevailing this time last
year is the opinion expressed in a re-
port published to-day by the Commit
tee on Statistics and Standards Of the
Chamber Of Commerce of the United
States. There are localities where
much caution and conservatism yet re-
main, and the influence Of high prices
for the future further accentuates this
caution because dealers feel that high
prices will curtail buying by the con-
sumner.
Broadly speaking" the reports states
"it may be said that the spirit Of optim-
ism and hopefulness prevails to a de-
gree that has not been apparent for
nearly a decade and the general belief
and expectation Is for such prosperity
during 1916 as will recompense the peo-
pie of this country for all their past
misfortunes."
Referring specifically to conditions
caused by the European war the re-
port of this committee, Of which A. w.
Douglas, of st. Louis, is chairman,
says:
1.-THE adverse effect of the conflict in
Europe still prevails in some sections,
though to a very much less extent than
at this time last year. There are still
scattered fears of the possibility of this
country being involved in the gigantic
strife; but, as against this, the large
portion of the people are paying less
and less attention to the war and more
ard more are concentrating their
thoughts and efforts on domestic mat
ters. Beyond this is the striking fact
that the influence of the war at pres
ent as a whole is more favorable than
adverse, because of the tremendous inn
petus it has given to certain lines OF
manufacturing, especially east OF the
| IAlleghanies, and likewise to many ag
ricultural products. While there are
many conjectures as to the consequent
effect upon business of such a contin-
gency, the general belief centers around
/ the conviction that the war will last for
some time and that the part OF wis
| dom is to make the most of the pres
ent situation, regrettable as 1t is, and
not take undue thought Of the morrow
by attempting to forecast the likeli-
hood of what will happen If peace is
declared, since there seems to be no
stable analogies nor precedents on
which to base a sound opinion. The
unfavorable effects on some industries
have largely been overcome by time
and the ingenuity of the manufactur-
ers, but certain other lines of business
still languish because Of the continu-
ance of the war"
Railroads report better business as a
whole and railroad shops are employ
ing more and more men. Manufaetur-
ing has taken on new life through the
while country and in almost every
branch. Abnormal activities prevail
largely in the East and in certain por-
tions of the Central West because of
heavy orders from abroad for war pur-
poses. This has created a temporary
lack of raw material in many lines not
otherwise affected by war orders. There
is much consequent decrease in unem-
ployment. Prices are being advanced
everywhere by manufacturers in all
lines and they are continually being
| flooded with orders. Automobile factor
les and flour mills are exceedingly busy.
This is likewise true Of potteries. ce-
ment factories and furniture.
| While money is plentiful and rates
generally are not high. there is a wide
| difference in the ease or lack Of ease
with which 1t can be obtained, and this
difference seems to be largely due to
local conditions. AS a whole, however,
1t is not difficult to get money from the
banks on good collateral for legitimate
purposes. Collections vary from poor
to good and as a rule average fair.
Merchandise stocks in the hands OF
the retailers vary from light to normal.
| Orders for future shipments in the
spring are being more generally placed
than for some years past. thus show
ing the confidence of the dealers In the
Immediate future.
Crop yields in general, other than cot
ton, exceed those of any year known In
our history This Is especially true OF
the small grains as whole, and par
tlcularly OF all of the forage crops
which are in abundance beyond prece-
dent. This latter fact is one that is
most significant and of very large mo-
ment to the country as a whole. II Is
of the utmost value and important to
the farmer to have cheap and abun-
dant feed for his livestock through the
coming winter, and this state of AFFAIRS
at present exists as one Of the stable
foundations for that commercial pros
perity which seems definitely to have
arrived.
The quality OF the corn crop is. as a
rule, below the average in the most
northern territories. and generally very
good throughout the South, where II
was raised this year to an extent new
er known before,
Conditions In South.
Because OF the unusual diversified
tions in the South during 1915. there
resulted the largest grain and forage
crops OF all descriptions known In the
history OF that section. There are also
more hogs, cattle and dairy cows in the
d South than ever before. The Southern
States as n whole are more self-con-
tained than at any time in their histor,
and are apparently on sure and solid
foundation In all agricultural and In
dustrIal ways. The optimistic spirit Of
the people as regards the future II
shown In the great revival OF business