The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-07

the production was a record Ons, and
Is 100000 bushels in excess OF the
pre-war average While last years
potato crop was abundant in yield
these was an excess supply during the
greater part Of the season. and those
who withheld their production from
the market early in the season sui.
fered some loss by inadequate preser.
walton facilities, a condition which
will hardly prevail this season, and on
the whole, the potato supply will be
abundant.
One Of the minor crops, but very
important one durin gthe war, is the
raising OF beans. There was a short
age In this food at the outbreak Of the
war, and the high price stimulated a
large acreage last season, but the bulk
OF the crop was caught by the early
frost and the actual yield was poor,
both in quantity and quality. This sea
son with about the same acreage there
is a promise OF a crop OF 100000
bushels. or a third more than last year.
In the South, cowpeas, soy beans, and
velvet beans have been doubled in
acreage, and a larger cattle feed sup
ply will result.
Business Conditions.
General business is exceedingly &C
tive and prosperous and the outlook is
encouraging. The spirit of co-opera.
ton n the undertaking that cOnfronts
the governmnt, in conjunction with its
allies in prosecuting the war against
the Central Powers, is the most reas
surfing feature in the present situa-
ton While there is much to be done
in the way OF conversion OF plant ca.
pacity. and individual and corporate
energies and facilities from non-essen.
ttlal 70 essential was production, yet
the progress than has been made in
the first year Of the participation OF
the United States in the war is sim
ply remarkable An indication Of this
is found in the safely landing OF an
army Of upwards Of one million men
in France, TO assist the allies on the
fighting front, and in the effective
work that this American Expedition
airy Force is now doing, together with
the mobilization Of a much large.
army preparatory to embarkation.
Business, all things considered, 5
sound. Here and there are spottC
conditicrS resulting from factor
growing out & the war, such as prioi
ity shipments, inadequate transport
ton, restrict ms on the use OF raw
materials. shortage OF labor and the
time required 10 adapt available plant
capacity 90 war production.
Never has labor In this country been
as well paid and as prosperous as al
the present moment. This in Itself
has contributed enormously TO the buy
Ing power IN the retail trade and has
tended 10 steady the retail markets
which naturally would be affected by
III restrictions on onessential pro
there are munitlon plants or where
the restrictions on non-essential pro
manufacturers are engaged on war
contracts. the buying Of Injuries IL
very active, but this is offset in its
effect on trade generally. in a meas.
ure, by the economy being practiced In
other sections not so fortunately sit
uated.
Necessarily this tends towards the
absorption Of the surplus products Of
the so-called non.essential industries,
and when the time comes for a more
general practice Of economy and thrift
in this country. the effect Of the read.
iustment probably will be less disturb
ing as a result OF the exercise Of this
buying power by those who have ex.
perienced a sudden increase in IN.
come.
Speaking broadly, the testimony Of
practical business men Is that the
country Is in a strong position for war
time. The banking situation IS sound,
credits are being well handled and col.
Iections are universally good; business
men are seeking to keep their affairs
as liquid as possible: stocks OF mer-
chandise, which n year ago were fair
" we'll IN hand, have not been in
creased 10 an extent that is menacing
and such increase as IS in evidence is
IN fortify against delayed deliveries
OF new supplies. There is in evidence
a determination on the part Of tho in
dlvidual 10 bend his efforts 10 cooper
ate in the work Of winning the war.
Whatever difference OF opinion exist
ed a year ago has disappeared Never
in the history this country, in time Of
war, has there been such a united ma
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