The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-05-28
of Finance

teresting and instructive. Financially,
She is financing the war chiefly out
France today is exceptionally strong.
of loans, and the ownership of Rentes
Is distributed among 100000 hold
ers out Of population of 10000, 900.
AS a result the taxable resources of
France are prepared to stand any Sc
we're strain; while the logically
strengthened by the fact that they are
so directly interested in its welfare
Congress is much occupied with an
other subject that vitality affects gen.
eral business, and that is the regula-
ton of food distribution coupled with
price regulation, a policy that prom.
ises to be extended to other industries
while the war lasts. This co-ordina-
ton or concentratoin of industries, al
though Infinitely beneficial in many
respects is temporarily unsettling be-
cause ofthe impossibility Of making
future commitments. Should the sys-
tenn work well, it will undoubtedly be
applied to many other great indus
tries. This activity and overpowering
intrusion of government authority has
not worked satisfactorily in any of the
countries where it has been tried.
Doubtless we shall learn much from
their experience, but when the war is
have to be undone, and what the out
over many of these arrangements will
come will be is beyond calculation, ex-
cept that the country's Industries will
Certainly not return to their former
basis.
On the Stock Exchange there has
been wider activity and a frequent
strengthening of values in both in
r. FyI.,z
cry was partly due to a previously
oversold market; partly to the support
Incidental to a successful bond issue,
and partly to buying of the stocks
likely to be favorably affected by pro-
longation Of the war, notably the steel
issues. The money market continues
easy. Funds are abundant and there
is every probability of the Liberty loan
being placed without any important
monetary arrangements. Our crop
outlook is improving, the prospects
now being for better yields than at
one time anticipated. Prices, how
ever, continue generally high, chiefly
as a result of the various phases of
war Initiation.
Peace talk is again freely heard.
There seems to be no doubt that Aus
tria at least is striving very hard to
negotiate peace, and while there is no
prospect at present of the war ending
very soon, there is, Of course, a pos
sibility Of this. Peace is NO longer
regarded as a bear argument; on THE
contrary, If the struggle should cease
it. would make unnecessary the enor-
NOUS war preparation now going on.
The making Of 1nunition would STOP
but with the great activity In this
country in all channels of trade it is
believed that the plants of manufac-
turing concerns would be- kept run
ming at full capacity in order to pro-
vide for legitimate home needs, and
of course drastic action would be no
longer required. In financial circles
q very cheerful feeling prevails The
vigorous steps now being taken to
float the government loan it is thought
| will meet with great success. This
of itself should have beneficial eff
feet in the market. What is required,
however, to give it a real solid back
ing is a, favorable rail rate decision
and tits hoped that this will be an
nounced very soon. 49,