The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-04-30
WatSOn'S Weekly
 Letter
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Active investors will be interested in evidence now developing suggest ing that the entire copper situation IS improving. This is apparently due largely to betterment in labor cond1- tions, a. clearer understanding at Washington as to requirments, and indications of an enormous demand at fairly profitable prices for almost an indefinite period. Uncertainty, in brief, is being gradually removed from the conditions that have sur rounded and restricted the industry. Considering the great war use of cop per metal and excess consumption, it would seem that all that can be pro- duced will be required for some time to come, and that companies will be justified in asking for further mod crate increase from 231z cents pound to 25 cents. Tho Government could well afford to pay it. The increased cost of production has been material. Copper companies are entitled to an advance, for they are very large con- tributors to the Government war chest in the way of increased taxa tion, and are big subscribers to the Third Liberty Loan. While the cop per stocks have had material ad- vances, we think standard shares should be purchased on recessions. The fact that there is piling up great copper consumption that will become active after the war is not to be overlooked by the investor who is considering mining issues The buy- ing of Inspiration and Anaconda Cop per stocks is based on their strong underlying positions as much, if not more, than upon the merger rumors that have been circulating.
 The reasoing that applies to the copper situation may well be used in connection with steel corporations They also are pressed to the limit of production, and are likely to operate at capacity for sometime almost en- tirely on Government contracts. They, too, have been large contributors to the revSnues of the Government in the way of paying heavy taxes and buying war bonds. Certainly, the United States Government can afford to treat such industries as these with the greatest liberality. In fact, there are a. number of other living and live" industries with which the Gov ernment could do likewise.
 If Washington could only realize it, now is the time for liberal treatment for the greatest of our industries-i. e., the railroads. A broad and liberal policy for them would bring tvo-fold returns to the Government. Can it see this? Will 1t? It is a plain, prac- tical problem-a~ live nd-let-live pol icy. The deficits being shown by the carriers now under Government con- trol should bring forcefully home to legislators and the public the abso- lute necessity of affair deal for them,
 We favor America calling out enough soldiers to win the war. We favor putting 5000, 900 men in train ing now. We hope the authorities at Washington will carry out that program. It is the sentiment of thousands of citizens; and we note that the American Defense Society is very properly advocating this policy The American soldier is pronounced by French authorities the equal ot any fighting man in the world, and we must do all we can to back him up at home to the limit. Buying 8 Liberty Bond is obtaining what will be after the war the most widely held and therefore politically safe-se- curity in the world. Representing perhaps the-only credit Nation, it may permanently take the pre-eminent position maintained by British con. sols, and it will be in constant de, mand. The War Finance Corpora tion now going into operation is ex pected to relieve monetary strain and this should be benificial to tht market for securities when foreigr news is not such as to make for un easiness. The domestic situation ii generally strong.