The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-30
Leading American Industries Enjoy
an Unusual Business Condition,
Which Discloses Enterprise

FACTOR or widespread anu
sincere belief that prosperity sur
rounds us not present. Then. too,
this confidence is backed up by the
splendid condition Of our natural re-
sourccs-humper crops of wheat. hun
drcds of thousands 81 bushels of golden
corn and many other staple agricul-
tural products, while As for cattle.
the elimination uf the hoof and mouth
disease in parts where 1t was prevalent.
points toward good business in prod
ucts essentially for human sustcnance.
The United States Department Of
Agriculture reports the nations prin-
cipal farm crops in 1915 worth $500
o"o 600, exceeding 10y more than $500
ooo,o0o their value in 1914. which was
a banner year. according 20 N" an
nual rcpor, of the Department ~
Agriculture the New York state crops
for the year ended September 30. 1915
amounted to s2s6. oOo. 900. Adding to
this the receipts for animal and dairy
products brings it up to st15. 600 600
for the year. In calling attention To
state. Commissioned Charles :. Will
on. head Of the Department ~ Agri-
culture. said that Indications point to
a scarcity of labor in 1916. During the
last iisca, year the bureau sent TO the
farmers IF the state 1859 farm hands.
including oiGhtN-threc families and hvc
r%atinnalltios.
There l. To- Ice q notwithstanding
"htlaucr uf trade" which when inter-
p.ctcd for the layman means the en-
cess Of exports over imports. Accord
ing to Dr, +. T.. Pratt. chief If the
bureau Of Foreign and Domestic Com
merce. in normal times he would
Charge over against tlo years export
balance the sum of s7j0.0OO. OO0. repre-
senting 5000. 0OO, 900 for Interest pay
men to Europe. s25O.0 900, 600 for en-
pcnditures by American tourists, sl5O,-
900 900 for remittances to friends
abroad, and $50 o0. 900 for payments to
foreign shipping. However, under pres
cnt conditions ne notes that imports
have declined and the wanderings of
American tourists have lessened
smaller sums Of money are being sent
abroad by foreigners resident in this
country owing TO European condi-
tons, and the total shrinkage is $3.50
900 600. Therefore, deducting $780,
600, 900 from the total amount of ST.
09i ,il9, 900. the excess of exports over
imports for the past fiscal year,
proves hat We are accommodating a net
favorable yearly balance of about
$50. 900, 900, available for the purchase
of securities which have been held in
Europe, or for the purpose OF making
direct loans 10 other countries. nr for
the purchase Of securities abroad.
Certainly the United States has
changed her international position
from that of n debtor country to that
of a creditor country. Whether or not
DR.. Pratt's declaration that within
five or six years the United States
will be able completely to discharge her
obligations to Europe. or will be able to
loan very considerable sums TO other
countries for governmental or private
purposes" remains 10 be seen. and of
course it IL a question as to whether
or not the United States would wish
to discharge all such obligations for
various political easOn
one of the best signs Of the times
is that in spite Of the fact that we are
nearing another Presidential election
purse strings are not being frightened
nor business ventures and expansions
held In allegiance to any extent. For
merly the old excuse. better not dc
anything on that proposition until
| after a new President is elected" was
"A favorite phrase, and Of course /,
retarded industry. Recently that same
excuse was offered by n Of the pros
pective incorporators of a new com
pany when his associates urged i'm,
mediate action in organization. Where