New Britain herald., 1916-09-02
Henry CleWs
 Weekly Letter
Especial to the Hera1d.)

othe revents. Even the war tenn porarily became @ side issue. Unfor- tunately, the controversy has de- velOped into more or less of a pOliti- cal issue because forced upon con- gress at a most inopportune time. Fair and thorough discussion is diff1- cult, if not impossible, at a time when cCngressmen are anxious to return to prepare for a presidential election only two months away. The pressing desire to win votes is almost sure to warp legislative opinion; and legisla- tion upon such an important subject would have been better could it have been deferred until calmer and better Informed public Judgment was ob- toinable. Nasty legislation may easily prove unjust to either side; and at this stage the controversy should go no further than securing an impartial hearing and disinterested judgment before a competent tribunal Of some sort. Arbitration would secure a more permanent, just and satisfactory settlement than can ever be expected through fears of political cOnse- Guences. This country needs some recognized method of settling such disputes without resort to violence or intimidation. Official investigation ought at least to be imperative before a strike; and something advantageous can be learned from the experience of Canada, where under very similar conditions, serious strikes have been practically abolished by a law which aims for peaceful settlement through mediation and arbitration. In Canada investigation before a strike Is compulsory; but arbitration is not compulsory and both sides are free for further action after the dispute has been thoroughly ventilated. Public opinion is thus brought to bear upon both sides, thus paving the way for successful mediation and cOnciliation
 The most important event connect ed With the war for many weeks was the formal entrance of Rumania into the contest. Greece is expected to follow. In all probability, these events will tend to hasten the end. Fifteen nations are now at war. Germany will be likely to prolong re- s'stance, however, for the reason that her lines will strengthen as they contract, and she will have the ad- vantage of being at home and con- ducting her operations within a we'll
 
 forces are becoming more and more highly concentrated, while the allies are more widely scattered upon the outside of the circle.
 Our smashing foreign trade record is an old but interesting story. The total exports from the United States in July were $445, 100000, or $177,- 100000 more than a year ago, and $291, ,000,000 more than in July 1914. Imports for the same month were 2,000,00O. or $39OOO,oOO ahead of a year ago. This left an excess of ex- rOrts for the month of $2628OO, ,OOO compared with $125, 5,OOO,OOO last year. During the seven months of the cal cndar year, our exports aggregated $2,926, 6,000,OO0, which was $956, ,000,- 900 in excess of last year; while inn ports reached $1, ACT, 100000, or about S450, ,000,0 more than last year. 1>he excess of exports for this period amounted to s1,45S,00O,000, an in crease of $497, 7,OOO,OOO in seven months. While there was moderate slowing down of exports in July, as usual at the end of the old crops, the general volume of exports upon this huge scale was we'll maintained chiefly because of continued heavy
 
 promise to be liberal for some time to come; but aside from this feature our export trade is in excellent con- d!tion, large foreign orders for rail- road material having been received this week, which, though a direct se- ouence of the war, can hardly be classified as munitions. New York city is benefting enormously by this ex1,ansion in foreign trade, nine tenths of which belong outside Of this port and simply pass through to other noints Since the war began, ship trebled in value. New York Is really It is the nations principal gateway and is entitled to more consideration than it receives from national legis- 1ators who usually make political capital by creating prejudice in other parts of the country against this center. These vast transactions have also been largely financed at this center, much to the advantage of our industries at large.
 The stock market stood up against the railroad dispute with remarka ble sturdiness, and declines were much less than anticipated. This may have been accounted for by belief that a strike would not materialize, also by the fact that the roads are exception ally prosperous, or further that the market itself was in too sound a position to be seriously affected General trade conditions continue