The Detroit times., 1917-03-31

~ banquet 10 the eaiesmch VI
the b. n. Stephenson company. and
department heads or the agencies
handling Stephenson properties, Mr..
Stephenson gave a talk on the pres
ent crisis and It's relation 10 Detroit
real estate. He aaic:
IL IN recognized fact that this
city will be least affected OF all cities
by state OF war. In fact we have
the opinions OF the clty's leading
business banking and Industrial
authorities 90 the effect that any ad-
verse result OF this condition on De-
troit will be principally because OF
psychological influence rather than
because OF the facts.
Leading manufacturing authorities
say that altho factories have been
working Mt capacity for more than
year the new Developments undoubt-
eddy will demand an Increased pro-
duction locally. This city IL BEING
looked 20 by the government for
large proportionate assistance in the
work OF producing necessary NUM-
tions OF all descriptions. The auto
mobile industry II iG per cent OF De-
troits industrial life. We produce.
however. so per cent OF the Ameri-
can supply OF automobiles Automo-
bile manufacturers declare that n
we continue In peace tho local In
dustry will be taxed 90 ca pacity for
many years TO al the present visible
domestic demand and that II a state
81 war ensues this demand will be
greatly augmented.
Experts say N would take Detroit
automobils factories three years 20
meet the demands OF the government
for proper preparedness. Can you
see anything discouraging In those
statementsf Remember that wages
L. A. Ntal IL L.. . L.
Industrial world. There ~ a positive
shortage Of skilled labor. Automo-
bile manufa rturers are not uncer-
tain OF che future. They are spend
Ing millions upon millions this year
right now--ln expansions 10 meet the
30 per cent output increase planned
for the next ~ months from a peace
standpoint. saying nothing Of the
war demand Therefore. we Ind that
practically 50 or go per cent 81 De
troits wage esrners are occupied in
an industry which has positive and
continued spread 81 prosperity ahead
which indicates that they viii con
tinue indefinitely 20 draw down their
record wages
Detroit IL becoming one 81 the most
world. our ships are plying in all
waters Of the globe. The head OF the
biggest local company stated recent
" that hia nrm WAS practically GER
tain OF capacity production for I'VE
years at least; that they could double
their business ~ they could get the
labor. He also stated that he would
employ 900 men AZ wages ranging
from % 90 90 day W he could only
get them and that Advancement was
certain. This same company re-
Gently announced contracts which
make the present order list stand at
20 modern steel freighters costing
more than tis. 900, oeo. Can you under
stand what that meansY
know OF several big companies
occupied IN miscellaneous lines OF
Industry which are already booked
for the entire year and some into
NEXT year survey OF Detroit's
Industries reveals the fact that IN
almost every instance the products OF
manufacture here are economic nee.
esslties and as such must be had
and will be had In times OF war or
peace should not these facts slim
uiate the faith OF the workiuEmGn in
Detroitf
Kxa4y Aaeai huaanssa
shows health and strength and
sound foundation Of operation. Bank
elearings. Notwithstanding the SO
called crisis. have been showing req
uiar and tremendous Increases over
last year which was our banner per
Tod up 20 that time. In the face az
international developments business
In every respect has shown a gain
since Feb 3. whom we severed rela-
tons BANKERS have not shown
tendency 20 apply the brakes" nor
do they announce any intention o.
90 doing
One on the very best indications 81
the positive certainty with which big
capltaiistic interests are operating -
the activity ~ recent weeks IN cen
trail real estate More business in
this line has been done Ia the past
-.
iod IN the city'R history and prices
IN practically every instance have
broken all previous records 4 few
DAYS ago $40 .0ee a foot WAS paid for
woodward-ave. frontage and you can
we'll believe that the men who made
the purchase thought they got the
property at reasonable price.
Bring these facts home 20 the pros