davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
Past the Deadline
in Cotton Prices

Not many years ago it was a
theory in the retail drygoods trade
that when cotton goods reflected in
their costs TO the consumer the price
Of 10 cents raw cotton, the consumer
practically quit buying. Fifteen
cent raw cotton seemed the dead line.
Nowadays that dead line has been
passed and nothing happened. If
the consumer recognized the fact he
failed to give any evidence Of it.
Somewhat paradoxically, because
prices are so high, they have prac-
tically ceased TO be factor in the
determination of purchases. 1t is
almost entirely a question of buy
er wanting goods and a seller hav-
ing them, and that is about all there
is to it. There is little or no bar
gaining. That is relegated to the
future, when prices are declining
and no one wants to buy. When
prices get to the bottom, there will
be still more bargaining and still
less inclination to buy.
In the chain of distribution from
manufacturer to wholesaler, to re-
taller to consumer, it takes but little
observation to see that in both ad-
vancing and declining markets it
takes some time for the price
changes to filter down to the con-
sumner, and that he gets the benefit
or loss either way much more on
staple items than on those not so
we'll known nor in such common use.
On many unimportant articles he
may not note much change one way
or the other in many years. The
various advances and declines are
absorbed in a steady price, because
while the percentage of change in
cost to the retailer may seem large,
the actual cost of the article is so
small that any alteration in its sell
ing price to the consumer is not
worth while.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
ReAexes Of War

Sugar cards will be introduced IN
France on February 1. The Garnet De
sucre is a sheet Of yellow cardboard
folded in two and contains eighteen
coupons, three for each month, ana
therefore constitutes six months sup
ply. The holder receives nine ounces
Of sugar for ons coupon. The card -
strictly personal. and on the front pas'
is stamped the name of the commune
the marie and the holders signature
An allowance Of over six pounds per
person is specially granted annually
for lam making. A deduction Of one
third or two-thirds OF the allowance
is made in ths case Of people taxing
~one or two meals in a restaurant daily
There is a special regime for restaa'
rants. schools, hospitals. etc. u
hoped thus TO reduce considerably .ns
importation Of sugar. which before ths
war was about s7,500,00o, and has no"
reached s4O,O0O,OO0 annually.
Arrangements have been complsHd
for the construction Of s3,OOo,OOO nS'
nitions plant for the Imperial Num-
tions Board 20 be located on the new
industrial site in Ashbridge's Bay, 10
ronto. The plant will have an initial
capacity Of 800 tons day. 1t will "
erected 20 do electrical steel and forE'
ing work. Between 500 and 1000 men
will be employed in the operation OF
the plant. which is expected to .tsi'
in July. The ultimate use Of the plsh.
for commercial industry will reqgns
sixty acres Of ground, with InoeeiS
dockaee and rail facilities, all Of whiea
is being furnished in the Toronto hsi'
Dor industrial district, under the diree'
tion of the Toronto Harbor Comm'S
sion.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

It is probable, however, that rates
will harden somewhat if Congress
should pass the proposed amendment
to the Federal Reserve act, making
Immediately effective the provision
requiring all reserves of member
banks to be kept in the Federal Re
serve institutions. This will neces-
state the withdrawal within a brief
period Of S350,000,000 Of country
bank deposits in central reserve
cities which now count as reserves.
Il will place the control Of the great
bulk of the gold reserves in the
United States in the hands of the
central banking authority, and is in
line with the practice of the great
European banking systems. The
move is generally approved by the
financial community. Leading bank
ing authorities of the country have
insisted all along that something
must be done 10 prevent a sudden
outflow Of gold abroad when peace
comes, otherwise the foundation Of
the huge credit structure built up
here on the basis Of a billion dollars
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

Every one on this side has taken
it for granted that we have perma-
nently assumed the role of a creditor
nation. But that has not yet been
conceded in England. THE Man
chester Guardian" among others,
thinks that we may have TO return
to borrowing instead of lending after
the war:
When we come 10 consider the
question whether Americas present
position as the worlds money lender
will be retained by her when the
war is over we find that it can only
be answered alphabetically. She will
do so if she still has surplus Of
goods and services available for ex-
port. But it does not seem likely
that the prices Of her staple products
will be maintained when all the world
that Is now at war goes back to pro-
ductive activity, nor that the claims
Of development at home will still be
neglected when foreign customers
cease to pay fancy prices for NUM-
tons; and we may be very sure that
Americans will be keener than ever
to travel in Europe. to visit the
scenes Of the world tragedy that is
now being played. That she will
have no such surplus to lend in
peace time as she has now is fairly
certain. Whether she will have any,
or may not even be borrower again,
is by no means clear. Much will de-
pend on the rate of interest that will
be offered in Europe as compared
with America. But there can be lit
tie doubt that her credit machinery
for financing her own trade Will
continue, for that is growth that
would have happened war or no war.
The war hastened and helped it, but
was not its actual cause.
"The Guardian" may be right, but
probably isn't. 1t is hard to picture
an expansion Of domestic business
which could absorb all our surplus
lending power.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
The Part Exports Play

Business men realize that back Of the
sale Of s26 worth Of shoes and leather
goods in export trade is the same sue
cession Of production, transportation,
distribution among middlemen, manu-
facture, etc, and all the local business
activities that the profits and wages
give rise to II the shoes are sold and
worn in America. II between 100000
100000 and $4,000, 100000 worth Of
production occasions $500 900, 100000
worth of every kind of business activ-
ity, does not $4,000, 100000 Of produc-
ton for foreign sale occasion be-
tween s5O,0OOO OO, 900 and $50, O00,O 900, 900
worth? Cut of the s5,500,0O0,0 900 Of
foreign sale and have $4,000, 100000
Of products and goods, with a domestic
consumption liable to pay for them Of
only sS9 500 100000, and imagine the
contraction Of gainful work for the
3s,OOO,O 900 and their families, the slump
in prices that would bankrupt mer-
chants and manufacturers and the
crisis that would take years for recov-
cry. The ordinary business man would
say that producing $1,000, 100000 of
goods for foreign sale is a very big
psrt-irom $40 to s19 in ever $1,000
the nations fundamental basis of .x-
pectation of future business, affecting
not only the manufacturer who sells
the finished articles abroad, but every
limo OF trade and production back to
the soil and the mine.
IL would have been impossible in
normal times before the war for pub
licist to tell an audience in Belgium,
England or Germany that foreign trade
was unimportsnt to their prosperity.
In Belgium some industries sold over
30 per cent of their product abroad.
The country's export average was s94
10 every inhabitant In England the
expectation was $40 20 svery inhAbit-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
The First Motor Truck

Francis J. Dyer, American Consul at
Ceiba. Honduras, writes, under date
Of January 3, as follows:
The first motor truck ever seen in Ceiba'
II not on the entire north coast OF Hon
dnras arrived from New Orleans to-day.
and. Immediately upon clearing the GUS
toms. was taken 70 the plant OF its i'm
porter, who is an ice manufacturer. As
makers of automobiles have been actively
irving for some time 20 introduce motor
delivery cans on this market, the arrival
on this truck s something OF an event.
The car is one Of the best known low
priced makes.
While the import duty on gasolene makes
that fuel very expensive here, It IS quite
likely that more motor vehicles will be pur-
chased after this one has demonstrated its
usefulness Il is possible that they may
find place In plantation work. although
planters are skeptical on this point, be-
iieving the trucks would mire in wet
weather.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
Real" Money Is
Scarce in Mexico

For the last two or three years the
people Of Mexico have, in general, been
retaining all OF the metallic currency
that came into their possession, which
resulted in bills being the only money
in circulation until recently according
TO a report from William W. Canada
American Consul at Vera Cruz.
The last iseue Of paper money, known
az "infslsifcable" ("uncounterfeit-
able"), placed in circulation by the de
facto government in June, 1916, on
basis Of 20 centavos Mexican gold to
the peso, is now refused by the public.
A few months ago on account OF the
depreciation Of this currency, the gov
eminent adopted the plan Of fixing, for
commercial transactions, the official
rate of exchange every ten days at
which the public is supposed 20 accept
the "infalsiicables This is now 100
70 /, or O.66 centavo Mexican gold
reso, but some weeks ago the purchss-
ing power of these bills in buying
American money had deprecated until
they reached rates ranging from $50 to
800 pesos for 81. Then the people de-
clined to accept the paper
No attempt is made by the author-
ties to compel the people TO accept the
money. as they did in the case Of the
Vera Cruz bills directly after the lin
falsihcables" we're placed in circulation,
and the Vera Cruz paper deprecated to
about 400 to ! for American money.
Until the last named Mexican currency
was officially retired persons who de-
clined to accept it we're imprisoned and
heavily fined.
The action of the government not
long since in requiring that customs
duties. land taxes, postage, telegraph
charges, etc, be paid in national gold
or silver resulted in a considerable
amount Of this currency being placed
in circulation again by the people, but
not enough to meet the demands, as
there does not appear to be sufficient
supply Of this money in the country.
BEFORE this action was taken the Gus
toms charges were payable In either
Mexican coin or American money on
the basis of 81 for two pesos, and when
the notice decreeing duties payable only
in Mexican metallic currency went into
effect it created demand for this
money so far in excess OF the supply
that the exchange rate at once rose TO
several points above par in the Vera
Cruz market. The silver peso and the
5O-centavo pieces and the and 10 peso
gold pieces sold as high as 81 cents,
United States currency, a peso. Sub
seouently the government decreed that
so per cent of the customs duties
might be paid in American money and
that the balance would be required in
Mexican silver or gold However, as
there is still not sufficient Of the latter
coin for all purposes, the price is as
high as SO cents. The normal rate OF
exchange. as fixed by the United States
Treasury, is 49.s5 cents.
To relieve the shortage OF money the
government is encouraging the impor-
tation Of American currency. Several
shipments of United States currency
have been received by Vera Cruz firms
within the last few weeks, but very
little Of the money has been put in cir
culation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

While the surplus reserves of the
New York Clearing House banks de-
creased S11,00O,000 last week, max
ing the first falling off since mid
December, the total Of S191 100000
is still far and above the weekly
average over a long period of
months. Since the furry Of money
rates, early in December, funds have
been accommodating so rapidly that
the banks have found it extremely
difficult to find a profitable market.
This is why money rates have been
so easy. Call loans at the Stock Ex-
change last week did not go above 2
per cent, while funds on time could
be obtained for per cent and less.
So far the large syndicate loan OPP
erations since the first of the year
have not had any appreciate effect
on the money situation at this CEN
ire. Whether operations Of sim
liar character that are impending
will cause rates to stiffen can only
be conjectured. 1t is the consensus
of banking opinion that money will
be plentiful for some time to come.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
Monday, January 90, 1917.

Since the outbreak Of war our
trade balance with France, Russia,
Italy and the United Kingdom has
exceeded by several hundred mill
ion dollars our total export balance
with the world. And the greater
part Of this balance-about three
fifths Of it-has been produced by
our trade with England alone. The
purchases of that country in the
United States in the thirty months
Of war approximate $3,OOO,OOO,OoV
more than her sales in this market
The British government has had
to contend not merely with the
problem of financing its own re
ouirements, which are heavy enough.
1t has had to expend billions of dol
lars to aid its partners in the great
adventure. In fact, such advances
constituted the largest single item
in the British foreign account IN
1918, as this table, based on figures
published by "The Statist,' Will
show:
Import balance Official
returns) ........... 81, 'EO,VVV'VVV
Government Imports les
timated) ............ l,oOO,OOO'oOU
Total import balance. 2,725,OOo'oUo
Loans to foreign and
colonial governments. 3,o0o,Ooo,OOo
Total adverse balance. 5,725,OOO,OOO
Income from interest,
shipping, etc. (est.).. 2,6oo,OOO'OOo
Net adverse balance. &c. S,126,OOO,OOO
If the war continues, these figures
will probably be exceeded in 1917,
for there is nothing to indicate that
the volume of British purchases
abroad will decline, and prices, now
much higher than the average for
last year, are still rising. The set
Element of the account, therefore,
becomes increasingly difficult, and
constitutes the greatest problem of
all time in international finance. 1t
is to solve this problem that England
has at last adopted financial con-
scription, for the official announce
ment made last week that the Brit
ish Treasury is now empowered to
requisition any foreign securities
which may be held within its Dor
ders means Just that.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

ant; in Germany, s35. In the United
States the expectation an inhabitant
was about s26 before the war; it is now
about $50. American families average
four and one-half persons. Therefore
the foreign sales Of this country, which
before the outbreak Of the war aver
aged approximately $117 for every fam
ily. now average $225.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

The business in salmon canning in
British Columbia in 1915 turned out
somewhat better than was anticipated
while fishing was in progress. The
information now available indicates a
total pack of 995 ,065 cases, as COM
pared with 1,11l,000 in the previous
year; the grade, however, was compsr-
atively low. Prices generally were
high, as much as SIC per case having
been paid for soek-eye, and the value
OF the seasons output "a estimated a
S5,250,0O0.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

in gold imports might be seriously
weakened. 1t is believed that the
Federal Reserve Board, with the gold
store under its immediate super
vision and control, will be in a posi-
ton TO regulate the outward move
ment in a manner that will prove
the least disquieting to business.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

Sir Edward Holden's notion that
because the Allies have flooded this
country with gold they are entitled
to unlimited credit, or at least to all
the credit for which the gold would
serve as a base, is interesting. Also,
it is absurd. The mere fact that
they have paid us for goods in gold
does not entitle them to credit at all.
Even more astonishing is the COM
plant that some of "the Allies gold"
has actually been locked up under
the Federal Reserve system. Per-
haps Sir Edward thinks that pay
ment in gold should carry with it
the privilege of debating this coun-
try's banking policy. At any rate,
he seems to believe that the Allies
should be allowed to eat their golden
cake and keep it, too.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
Measuring Our Productions

In the latest years officially reported
for the manufacturing output of the
United States aggregated $24 ,323,-
600; agricultural production, S10,501,-
$4,000; mining output, s2,114,946,024;
forestry and fisheries about 81 900 ,000,-
coo. This total Of material production
reaches s37,s62 ,s55,O24. Perhaps the
total for this year may have reached
5000, 900 or even $4,000, 900, 900.
The intricate interbenefciality of the
turnover of this enormous production
is an important economic fact. As it
passes through its successive stages,
il the collateral business induced by it
could be measured, the $500, 0O0. 100000
OF Professor Fisher might easily be
reached. Take the railroads, W ich in
gross receipts and expenditures on op-
Grafton move ss.O0OOOO. 600 year.
And the wires, that move $500 900 600.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29

can be kept to the purchasing power
of the consumer. For in the last
analysis the consumer is the deter
mining factor in the situation, al
though the European war has shat
tered some of our pet decisions con-
corning his ways and means of buy
ing.
AS rule, the wholesaler or jobber
varies his selling prices in accord
ance with the figures he pays the
manufacturer Not so with the re-
taller, to anything like the same ex-
tent, for to do so is TO gamble with
fate in the shape of his customer,
the consumer. SO the retail dealer
is supposed to have a certain fixed
price on many articles, beyond which
he may not go and hold his trade.
Consequently, his margin of profit
between what he gets and what he
pays is supposed to be elastic enough
to cover the usual variations on these
goods in normal times. AS a matter
of fact, it frequently is not, but the
retailer figures that taking it by
and large" as the sailors say, 1t
evens itself up in time. For in truth
he is up against a custom, which,
though slowly changing, still dictates
the price which the consumer is will
ing to pay on many articles.
Reluctant to
Change Prices
Mayhap at one time this price was
the measure of the intrinsic worth OF
the article to the consumer, but at
present it is impossible TO trace any
such connection. For instance, the
general price of ten-inch mill file
to the consumer was usually 10 cents,
of a pair of cheap door knobs 10 to
Is cents, and of good Ratchet from
IS to 50 cents, though of course there
were local exceptions to these prices.
In these days the retailer hung on
to these figures as long as his stock
on hand at old prices permitted, and
then took his life in his hands and
asked more. Most consumers seem
dazed by the situation and accept
their fate meekly, but some either
stall or else shop around for the
same article. if it can be found, in
not so good a quality.
The ice is broken, and the price Of
long standing custom discredited, so
if the present situation continues
long enough a new deal in the mat
ter Of prices to the consumer may
be on in many lines, and it may take
competition some time 10 level prices
again to a common denomination.
There we're certain low priced arti
cles that now no longer exist. A
case in point is that of what is
known as 50 pocket knives, mean
ing a certain class of pocket knives,
technically known as "stabbers,"
which the retailer bought for 81 a
dozen and sold to the consumer for
% cents each. They are not to be
had first because they cannot now
be produced by the manufactures
at a price which enables him TO sell
them to the jobber at figure which
in turn permits the jobber to sell to
the retailer for 81. Secondly they
cannot be produced at all (practi-
cally), for the workingmen will not
make them under present condi-
tons.
The Little River news., 1917-02-14

|, If the fir you run a. put out way 2,
The Little River news., 1917-02-14
NJ NY SMIpS ESr ADE SI1DM ADINES
Reports Show More Than HOO En-
 &ornJ onJ oSA Dn,Ac.

New York, Feb. 10.-More than HOO vessels arrived at or sailed from United Kingdom Ports during the first nine days eff Germany's unrestricted subma- ri1e warfare in British waters, it was said here todey by persons in touch with British Admiralty officials. Seven hundred vessels entered Unit ed Kingdom ports safely and 40 de- parted, it is said. Admiralty officials are said to be convinced that Ger many's renewed undersea activity is a failure if it is hoped to bring about starvation of the people of the British Isles.
 Other figures said to have been re- ceived from Admiralty sources cover ing the U-boat operations from Febru- ary 1 to February show that 16 ships esc-ped after being attacked. The to- tai number of vessels destroyed within the period, it is said was S9 Of these 21 were trawlers and smacks.
 The summary classifies these losses as follows:. Torpedoed: British steam ships, 25; entente steamships, other
The Little River news., 1917-02-14

Notice '~2',AyebY given, that in pur- -suance of | rthority and directions contained in~cne decretal order of the Chancery Court of Little River county, made and entered on the End day of December, A. D. 1916, in a certain cause (No. 631) then pending therein between Beal-Doyle Dry Goods Com pany complainant and O. N. Brad shaw ct ux and Carruthers-Jones Shoe Co.,, defendants; E. s. Wright, inter- yenor. the undersigned, as commits sioner of said court. will offer for sale at public vendue to the highest bidder, at the front door or entrance of the county courthouse, in which said court is held, in the county of Little River, ,,vithin the hours prescribed by law for I Val sales, on Mo ay, tbe 5th day hrchy A. D. 19 the following
 NrsW estate towit SE4 of
 fon 10, township Is south,
 r, In LitiAe River county,
 Prms,-of Sale: On a
 &e sflonths, the purchaser
 ~gd to execute bond as Nav and the order and de-
 court in se'Nse' Asr 'witi
The Little River news., 1917-02-14

LOST-on Monday one pocket bill
 book, black leather with hand roll in fold, contained $3 in silver and R. R. pass issued to Mrs. J. L. Roberts to Ashdown and back to Evansville Ind. and some visiting cards. Re. turn to Mrs. Josie Potts and get res
The Little River news., 1917-02-14
REPORT OF FIFTH MONTH
Honor Roll and Report of AshdOwn
 Public Schools.

>, EE1nrlrrG5iiilment, 40; No. belonging, BAY; average attendance, PIP; percent of at tendance, S4; highest percent of atten> dance 95.9, made by the senior class. This report shows low average per cent of attendance due to small atten- dance in primary grades during the cold weather.
 Low Secend-Leonard Danhom, Cor don Freddy, Dorothy Sanderson, Phil lip Martin, Maxie Bishop, .sudl,.4l Briant, Letha Embry, Rachel Herring, Margret Leslie, Marion Graves.
 High Second-Charlie Prewitt, Maxine Finley, Neva Gist.
 Low Third-Ruth Collins, Elizabeth Hudgins. Annl Throckmorton, Cora Wimberley. High Third-Paul Ward. Glayds Ford.
 Low Fourth-Bernice Donham, Pal lie Nolan, Anna Lee Phillips, Grace Thompson, Clyde Briant, Carle Treas. High Fourth-Eddie Mote, Robert Treas.
 Fifth Grade-Lcn Jones, Hattie Donhr m, Sadie Grounds, Ethel Keen CT.
 low Sixth Grade-Reva Bishop, Ce Gil Lott, Bertie May Phillips, Ada Wimberly
 High Sixth-Izora Buster, Myrtle Treas. Eathel Treas.
 Seventh-Beth Cowling, Charline Du- pree, Irene Jester, Mary Poland, Jim mic Cummins, Curtis WimbeGls5 Mar ion Wilson. Fl Eighth Grede-Wnlie BishoK Lola Donham, Dora Eolmes, 9iida Majors, Maud Quick, Joe Freddy. Ninth Grace-Pearl Dowda, Sewell Winkler Tenth Grade e-Cdrrie Bearden, Ger trude Curran., Eleventh Grade - Edith Collins, Gladys Russ el, Ruth Fawcett, Glover Sanderson, Curry Freeman.