New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-02


Though readjustment to war con-
ditions goes steadily on throughout
the country, it has so far taken the
form of a diversion rather than a
reduction In the aggregate Of bust
ness moving. That is TO say, while
the volume of production and of con-
sumption has not diminished, and is,
perhaps, larger than it was month
or six weeks ago, the government Is
now using more of the total output
of goods and private consumers are
using less, particularly Of the things
which are classified as luxuries.
That is as it should be. Nothing
like an alarming slackening Of dis
tributive commerce has taken place,
if one may judge by reports coming
from all parts Of the country, nor Is
such a development expected at this
time. The comparatively slight
slackening in that direction has this
great advantage-it makes available
a greater supply of labor for the
production of industrial materials
essential in the war. And there is
urgent need Of this labor, because
the leading industries are under
greater pressure than they ever were
before. The National City Bank, in
its monthly circular, says:
Apparently the government re-
quirements are proving TO be more
of factor than was anticipated; az
any rate, private consumers are COM
peting so vigorously with each other
for the remaining capacity that prices
are still on a rising scale. The an
nouncement that the British govern
ment has discontinued work upon the
construction Of a great new NUM-
tions factory for the reason that they
would be able TO buy more finished
munitions in the United States shows
the effect OF granting credits, and
indicates that there is no end of this
class Of business except in the limit
Of our capacity The departure Of
one engineering commission TO Rus
STA and another TO France and the
announcement that several thousand
picked railway men are to be sent to
France TO put the railways in order
are indications Of enormous demands
from those quarters.
Inquiries in the steel trade indi-
cate an enormous booked up business.
Most Of them now are for the first
half Of 1918. but there is willingness
70 contract even into 1919, although
on the basis Of present prices this is
highly speculative and steel makers
discourage IT, II IL common opinion,
however, that the iron and steel bust
ness is in for several years Of full
production, and the largest people in
the trade are proceeding upon this
theory.
The weak spot in the industrial or
ganization is the railroads. Nearly all
the industries could do more il they
we're not hsmpered in getting neces-
tary supplies and could get their
products promptly out Of the way.
This II particularly true Of the hand
ling Of coal and coke. The railroads
are Undoubtedly doing better, but
the volume Of traffic is in excess Of
their capacity. They need equipment
and facilities % every Kind, but per-
haps their most pressing need IL for
locomotives, for the strenuous ser
vice Of the last year has been hard
upon motive power Railway officials,
are putting forth every possible ef-
fort, operating all the railways as
one system, 10 that surplus capacity
on any line Is brought into use. The
volume o. traffic actually handled is
much beyond any past record.
with the advance % spring retail
trade has improved. gd tserc Is lit
IL 10 snazcaL AM eBrta4l1aeAi on Ae'