The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1916-03-28

class.
Not during the business career !
of the present generation has the
element of uncertainty, the con-
ditions which lead to speculative
operations in the conduct of prac-
tically all branches of trade and
industry, been present to the de-
gree that obtains at this time. The
opportunity to make a Killing is
not to be resisted when it comes
within the range of the optics of
the enterprising American citizen
and because such opportunities
have developed with the prOlOnga-
ton of the European war, our
commercial interests are getting
an upset that throws things bad
ly out of balance.
Instances showing the effects in
a large way might be multiplied.
It is stated that the withdrawal
of the Steamship service of w. r.
Grace & Co. has been occasiOned
because the steamers of the COM
pany have been leased for rental
of 100000 each per month. The
cost of operation is about S24,-
900 per month, and the company
is drawing down the nice revenue
of $4,000 per, without risk or
exertion, but in the meantime
there are no ships to carry the
freight on its regular route.
The story is told of one of the
largest Pacific Coast buyers-a
million dollar cOncern-paying
visit to a big eastern shoe manu-
featuring concern with which he
had maintained regular relations.
He was informed that the COM
pany had booked orders for shoes
for supplying the armies in the
field that precluded the possibility
of accepting his business. There
was regret that he was discOm-
NODDED, but the prices were higher
than the trade in this country
could pay, the requirements were
less exacting as to style and
workmanship and the cash was
forthcoming upon delivery. This
merchant waxed indignant, and
demanded to know what the COM
pany expected to do when the war
was over, if it did not take care Of
its customers now. The reply
reflects the general spirit which
it animates. It was something
like this: "While regretting
your inconvenience Mr.. Blank, we
are not particularly concerned
about the future. If this bust
ness keeps up for another year we
will have enough money so that
the shoe business can go to the
demnition bowwOws, so far as we
care"
There is rather too much prom
inence to munitions" and mon
ey mad" efforts to get rich quick
in the great business and manu-
featuring activities that are
prominent in the east to impart
the desired degree of stability to
business, but, at the same time
expansion has been phenomenal.
The labor problem is a serious
one, and many industries are
handicapped because they cannot
Iprovide adequate equipment or
secure help sufficient to meet the
demands made upon them.
The speculative element is
lpassed up to the retailer, whether
he is desirious of taking a chance
Of making more money OF not. He
lis informed that if he wants goods
with which to supply his trade he
lhas got to buy in advance or take
1.-THE alternative chance Of having
his orders turned down and
stocks are being increased, either
as q safeguard against future
shortage, or the certain advances
THAT are in prospect.
! 1t is a good time to make mon
ey," but it is also a time when
1.-THE dealer is likely to be tempted
into making unwise investments
in merchandise, a time when the
exercise of good judgmnt is high
| ly essential, and a time, too, to
make price adjustments TO cor
lrespond with market develop
llnents. The retailer who under
takes to absorb the advances that
are taking place in the stock he
carries is up against a serious
situation for profit on a rising
Catarrh Cannot Be Cured