The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-16
TRADE OPTIMISTIC,
BUT UNCERTAIN
Awaits Greater Progress in tha
Transition From War to
Peace.
PRICE FIXING RETARDs
Government Control in Order
Deemed Necessary in
Some Lines.

Optimism Of buyers over the trad.
outlook 10 tempered by conservatism In
purchases until the transition Of indus
tries from a war to a peace basis has
made greater progress. and indicate.
that there will be n minimum OF shock,
according to Brddstreots weekly trad.
review. The matter of possible price
regulation by the Government also acts
as a retarding influence to buying. Or
the other hand, the outlook L. good TO-
certain staples which have been under
Government control and which will now
be released. Bradstrcot's says:
Trade reports present varying G.
poets On the one hand there 10 repros-
sion, conservatism, uncertainty over
prices, cancellation Of orders, witt
maneuvring to get out Of others, and
shaping Of plans TO pass from a war to
a peace basis. but these factors inter
mingle with cheerfulness due to the viz.
tual establishment OF the worlds free
dom, with satisfaction over the ift!ns
Of long imposed restrictions, as well as
with tempered optimism that the process
Of switching from an all war work pro
Rramme to normal activities Will go for
ward with a minimum of shock.
Thus far the great momentum al.
tained by the war propelled machine has
prevented any abrupt changes. though
overtime and Sunday work on Govern
ment enterprises have been abolished
draft calls have been suspended, and Il
ID evident that bids on many Government
contracts will not eventuate In actual
awards But the various interests OF the
country already are taking steps 70
bridge the gaps caused by the loss o.
war orders, and big developments are
lies, ~.
booking of business for use In recon.
structing war torn Europe, while at Ire
same time much pentup domestic bus.
ness is likely to flow out.
Ordinary trade in staples IS re.
stricted, due principally to doubts abou,
the course of prices. and the stoppase
of work to celebrate victory and re-
tardation caused by the epidemic Of In
fiuenZa also have cut down business
However. the incubus resulting from IL
fluenza has almost entirely disappeared
and therefore retail trade in zones whe!.
the weather Is seasonable has picked w
and the evident cheerfulness due to the
virtual ending Of the war on terms in
posed by the Allies has brought on
heavier buying of holiday goods"
a certain degree OF Government con-
troll in order to stabilize prices until the
industries have had an opportunity tor
adjustment from war to peace cond!
lions is recognized as essential by prac
tically all the industries says Dun
Rerte,c. There Is an evident desire or
the part of the Federal authorities to CO.
operate with business men and LEM
temporary protection until trade has re-
sumed its ordinary channels. On tn!
Dun's Rerieto says:
'The necessity for stap;l!zirr
process In trade and industry is clearl'
recognized, with the curtailment OF ths
vest Federal expenditures even now con
mencing, and there has been evidence @
prompt cooperation between private IN
terests and Washington authorities /!
considering ways and means OF nreetirt
the varied and perplexing problem,
which have appeared with the WAY
closing.
with the end In view, that serious
disturbances may be avoided while u,
country Is again being placed upon
peace footing. II Is probable that gov
ernnental control will continue in SON.
directions during the transition period
So that the readjustments in produciio'
and labor and prices. inevitable unde
the new conditions, may be RENDERED
gradual and orderly. To what eXte2
the revival OF regular domestic and To-
e!gn commerce will replace tho huge wa.
requirements. now reduced automat
cally, is a matter Of uncertainty for the
moment there Is a not unnatural spiT
'of hesitation manifest, and many buy
ers are prompted TO hold Off IN antic-
patton of downward revisions OF price,