davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Actiuify in Building
L;kel, in 4ut,l,,,7,

We probably will do a good deal of
building this summer and fall. because
necessity forces, and people must have
houses to live in and not because the
costs and conditions of building are
especially favorable. That is as far
as our experience in the past has en-
abled US to judge such conditions. Yet,
at the same time there is talk of ad-
vanclng the costs O; some of the prin-
clpal materials used in building when
the mills are not running half time.
One of the constant reasons given for
the present high prices in most lines
is the greatly increased cost of pro
duction- 1t has its force and potency
rs an argument and yet it is perfectly
obvious that it is being worked over
time and is often an excuse rather
than the statement of a fact. In many
of the lines | have cited production
does not warrant the prices obtained.
for in the last analysis we shall finally
have to base our prosperity. if it is
to be healthy, upon genuine con-
structive demand That is the princi
pal thing we shall have to be sure of
lest we repeat the unfortunate expert
ences of 1907, when much of the de-
mand was speculative rather than real.
To the extent that we keep our heads.
buying for wants and not for specula-
tive purposes, to that extent will be
the duration of our prosperity. Other
wise we shall suddenly, as in the past,
wake up with a severe jolt with our
business house in ruins about us. We
have kept our heads up to date through
trying circumstances and our safety
and prosperity lie in the continued
practise of that common sense and
judgment which so far have saved the
situation.
SO far, the financial side has not
troubled US, seeing that the Federal
Reserve System has acted both as a
brake and an accclerator. We must
not forget, however, that the very
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Crude Rubber
Market Is Dull

Edward Maurer, president of the
Edward Maurer Company, Inc,
dealers in crude rubber, took a pes
slmlstic view, asserting: "As far
as crude rubber is concerned. there
is certainly no shortage of material
either on spot or for futures.
Crude rubber on spot is selling
at about the lowest price at which it
has ever been sold. 1t appears that
there is surplus of available ma
terial and more than the manufact-
urers in this country can consume
in the near future"
Charles E. Miller, manufacturer
and jobber Of automobile supplies.
said: Il wish to say we expert
ence no shortage of goods at the
present time, and in talking with
the manufacturers statesmen thew
are very anxious to get orders, and
from the talk we have had with
them they do not indicate any short
age of material or delay in filing
orders"
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
american Shoes
Sought By Foreigners

c. E. Williams, general manager
Of the Golden Shoe Company, re-
marking that an unprecedented for
eign inquiry for footwear was max
ing merchandise scarce, said:
From every source Of informa-
tlcn to which we have access there
is convincing proof that there is a
shortage O. raw materials. Aside
from this the home consumption of
shoes for now and year at least is
unprecedented. Again, the foreign
countries are purchasing American
made shoes (for civilian use) in
such quantities as never before con-
templated, and there is every indi-
cation that the demands Of these
countries for our shoes will gradu-
ally increase, and we believe that It
will be at least two to three years
before France and England will be
IN shape for the manufacture of
shoes on any basis rivalling their
pre-wartime Aoduction, which con-
dition largely increases the drain on
our own production.
Prices are high, and are daily
going higher, and yet our largest
manufacturers have sent out in
structions that, for the time being,
no more business can be taken. as
they are ordered up to the very
limit on all materials with which
they are covered"
Contrary to several other rubber
men who reported an adequate sup
ply, J. n" Kirk, New York manager
of the Thermoid Rubber Company,
makers of automobile castings, inner
tubes, brake Innings and radiator
hose, said:
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08

business world is withholding its COM
mitments until the crops are assured
but taking some chance where ncces-
sary of their being all right.
AS to the soundness of the situation,
mat is serious and puzzling problem.
There are some things which seem
artificial and unhealthy. For instance.
there is no question about an abundan.
supply OF raw cotton and wool. Ye,
roth are very high because the supply
end is not allowed to disturb the stu
atlcn. In the finished fabrics of these
commo modities there were declines. fol.
lowed by sharp advances, and the only
difficulty now seems to be to keen the
advances from getting out of hand. So
mat the plentiful supply of raw ma
terial in clothing does not affect the
price either of the raw material or of
the finished Foods
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08

supply All desirable qualities of
upper leather are very scarce, and
there is a very active demand for
sole leather.
In total pairs there are enough
shoes in the country to supply any
demand, but the fact must not be
overlooked that the character of the
shoe business has changed in recent
years and is now very much more
Of a style proposition than it used
to be, and a strong characteristic
of the present times is the big de-
mand and short supply of particu-
lar styles tnat for the time being
may be in vogue. Relatively
speaking, the supply of raw mate
rlals and the finished product is
shorr compared With pre-war con-
ditions.'
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Acute Shortage OF Goods
Reported in Many Trades

The Tribune asked a group of
manufacturers, dealers in raw ma
terials and retailers about the con-
dition of stocks in various lines. In
asking for the views of business
men TIE Tribune explained:
apparently reliable reports indi-
cate that there are acute shortages
Of goods, present and in prospect.
Some mills are, in fact, known to be
refusing orders because their pro-
ouctive facilities are fully engaged
for long periods, or because raw ma
terials are scarce
con the other hand, there are
those who assert that supplies are
adequate and that the prospect of
e shortage of goods is remote"
The consensus of replies showed
that the truth was plural, not singu-
lar-that in some cases there was a
shortage and in others not. Most
of those who expressed their obser-
vatlons, however, reported a short
age Of merchandise.
Briefly summarized, the testi-
mony Of business men was as fol-
lows:
l. In some lines, such as silk,
leather and jewelry, there is a
scarcity Of raw materials.
3. In many other branches of in
dustry, where the shortage of
raw materials is not so acute, there
Is a scarcity of merchandise because
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Cotton Goods Men
Fear Scant Supply

The tale Of business on a giant
scale was also related by cotton
goods men.
George Walcott, vice-president of
the Hunter Manufacturing and
Commission Company, said
ct is very evident that many
users of cotton goods fear that sup
plies will be inadequate, for, within
the last few days, very large orders
have been placed with the mills for
deliveries running up TO the end of
the year, and these at the highest
prices yet touched.
There seems to US no question
but what with shorter hours, the
possibilities of labor troubles and
the general independent position of
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
European Finances
Seriously Crippled

Europe as yet cannot discharge her
obligations to US in her securities nor
in goods; even if we were prepared to
take them. There is no use in shut
ting our eyes to the fact that European
finances are in very serious condition
not to say bankruptcy, so far as Eu-
ropes present ability to discharge her
obligations is concerned. 1t may be
case of tidng over q good customer
until he can get on his feet For F,u-
rope must have many more supplies
from us or else she will suffer in her
progress toward ehabiltation AM the
resultant effect upon our domestic
business will be distinctly depressing.
Just how this problem will be
cleared up it is impossible to say, Bu.
the strong likelihood is that something
will happen and that the matter viii
be taken care Of This is not very
logical solution, but it is usually what
comes about in so serious situation.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Nations Shelves Bare of Many
Things and Filling Them Up
Will Help Maintain Prosperity
rHE wheels of industry in the
United States are whirring at

THE wheels of industry in the
United States are whirring at
II rapid rate. Men of business
throughout the country are too busy
striving to catch up on orders to de-
vote much time to speculation as to
how long the activity will last, but
outside Observers. many of whom as
sociated calamity in their own minds
with the readjustment period, are
wondering how long the present
figh state Of activity will last.
Obviously, an acid test of the per
manency Of the period Of great pro-
ductivity is the condition Of stocks
of merchandise throughout the coun-
try If the shelves of the nation
were jammed with goods, q slacken-
ing might be expected. But if, on
the ether hand. retailers were sell
ing goods more quickly than they
could buy and manufacturers were
unable to get enough raw materials
to meet the demands on them for
finished products, a slowing up of
industry would be unlikely in the
near future at least.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
BY Archer Wall DOUGLAS

NHh inherent difficulty in attempt
ing any intelligent ANALYSIS of
the trend of prices in the near
future lies in the extraordinary con-
'rslon and uncertainty surrounding
me entire situation. There is no gen
efal trend, not even a clearly discernj
bic drift, but rather eddies and cross
currents without number. In some
Ines Of goods prices are declining and
IN others advancing, under apparently
similar ard common circumstances.
There are three dominant factors in
the situation. and between them thev
have largely modified or set aside tho
usual laws Of supply and demand What
should happen and wha, is happening
are often very distinct and opposite
tnin2s. The first factor is the carrv-
over eject o. SET prices, sometimes
minimum, sometimea maximum, Of the
government regulation during the war.
Ohcial action, which was then both
'imeiy and necessary, seems now open
70 tne charge Of having oycrstayed its
' ~'N VI returning 10 plague,
noi It's inventors, but that universal
goat" the ultimate consumer, whom
was originally designed to protect.
!hiS Is particularly true Of food prod
dct and most Of the metals. From
study Of thc facts and Of all available
esatiEtlcs ] can reach no other conclu-
s''n save that there is no logical rea-
son for The present high price of food
pF'ducte It seems beyond question
Mas the food supplies in this country
are not only abundant for our own
NEEDS, but equally az we'll for that por-
non of hungry Europe VIC have under
'aHsn to feed. Moreover, we are upon
NE threshold of what promises to be
an unezaynp pied baryegt.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Erery Trade Tinged
With Prosperity

Jonas Koch, who sells watches
diamonds and jewelry to the trade
declared that the spirit of prosperjtv
has spread to every industry.
Because of the greater purchas-
ing power by the people of the
United States, demands are beiDg
made upon manufacturers that thev
are unable to meet he declared
"A shortage of skilled labor in most
industries is causing a delay in fill
ing orders. The great quantity of
merchandise that is being moved By
merchants and manufacturers 9,
considerably enhanced prices neccs
sarlly represents a greater money
value of business for the entire
country, thereby indicating a de-
gree of prosperity that exceeds any
previous experience.
II do not believe that the great
activity in most every trade is to be
ascrlbed solely to orders having
been placed because of any appre-
hension of shortage of goods.
From information that came to me
from my salesmen during the first
few months of this year | was able
to determine that retail dealers tried
to buy conservatively in anticipa-
ton of possible decline in prices.
AS a result of these fears stocks
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Supply of Merchandise Continues
to Lag Far Behind Demand,
Leaders of Industry Report

caused by insufficient labor. The
writer finds right in our own organi-
zation q great deal of difficulty in
obtaining a shipping clerk, which is
{. position we have had to hold open
for some time, owing to the fact that
we cannot find any available party
to take up the work. 1t seems that
the men who are returning from
overseas do not have much intention
of doing any work.
THAT is, good portion of them
who do not belong in New York.
We have been in touch with several
of the employment bureaus who
have interested themselves in find
ing positions for the returned men
and they have called Us on various
occasions asking if the man they
had sent up had been in to see US
and in all cases the men never
showed up to even find out what
sort of position it is The writer's
personal belief is that this condi-
tion could be remedied by closing up
the places where men get free beds
and free food, or it could be cur
tailed so that a discharged man
could not remain over day or two
and he could not get in one of
those places if he had been dis
charged from the army for more
than one week 1t would be a very
simple thing to make the men show
their passes from camp that they
have to have before they are al
lowed to sleep in one of these SOL
diers' or sailors rest clubs. If men
could be made to go to work this
condition of the demand of the
consumer could be fulfilled"
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08

labor, the production Of the mills
will be considerably below what it
has been in the past. With the
continuance of high wages definitely
promised in this country we expect
a very large demand for cotton
goods from the domestic market.
| and if the demand for export
proves as large as many of us ex.
pect it to be, then, indeed, it seems
more than probable that supplies
will be inadequate"
E. S. Cruttenen, of NJ. C. D, Bor-
den & Sons, said:
In our opinion a great shortage
OF merchandise is existing owing to
the enforced curtailment of mills
brought about by the new fortv-
elght-hoUr law and the shortage of
labor to handle the production from
the gray mills, together with the an
usual demand for finished merchan.
disc from both home and forejpn
countries.
"The retailers have had a very
large business and for quite a period
would not replenish their stocks. and
now they are making very liberal
purchases and are finding it hard to
secure the desired merchandise.
"We look forward to a continued
good business, taking up the pro-
ductions of our various mills"
Smith, Hogg & Co., also dealers
IN cotton goods, reported:
From all indications as we see
them, we should confirm the report
which you have received that there
IS an acute shortage of goods, both
present and prospective. The de-
mand is greatly in excess of the
supply.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Leather Prices
Are Adranc;ng

"The feathers we manufacture
and sell are used mostly for travel
ling goods, belts, cases, straps, etc.
being rather special line. There is
d shortage Of good leather for high
class travelling goods. The market
is advancing rapidly, both on ac-
count of the demand and supply
of the finished leather and also on
account Of the marked advances of
raw material. Hides to-day are at
the highest prices yet recorded.
These prices could not be obtained
unless there was q short supply and
large demand. AS far as we know
there was no surplus in the market
Of leather such as we make, with
the exception Of russet strap
leather, made Of uncompleted gov
ernment orders.
eve have taken orders for all
the feathers we can produce for the
next three months and have no sur
plus stock on hand, except inferior
quality leather. This leather is now
:elling on account Of the shortage
IF the better selections"
George Terhune, of McElwain,
Morse & Rogers, manufacturers of
hoes and shoe supplies, said:
"The conditions in our industry
re that the supply of raw materials
s scarce throughout the world and
ne demand for finished products is
very active. The worlds herds of
cattle have been reduced many mil
ion heads during the past few
years of war Our country has been
exceedingly prosperous during this
period, and the demand for shoes
from our people has greatly in
creased. We now are feeling very
strong demand for leather and
shoes from foreign countries. AS
Il natural result, our tanneries and
factories are very busy and their
production is sold up for several
months.
Hides and skins are in short
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08


OF the unprecedentedly large buying
demands, the tendency in the early
months after the signing of the ar
mistice Of buyers to hold off in an
ticipation of price decline, poor
transportation and an Inadequate
supply of skilled labor.
g. On the other hand, in special
lines, such as automobile sup
plies and rubber, the supply of mer-
chandise seems adequate.
A diversity OF ideas, surcharged
with much genuine optimism as to
the future Of business, appeared in
the responses to the inquiries.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Ore Replaces Currency
Where Villa Controls

MONTEREY, Mex, June 7.-Amer-
ican mining men who have just ar
rived here from Parral and other sec
tions of the State of chihuahua, which
are under control of Francisco Villa
and his revolutionary forces, say that
the circulating medium all through
that part of the country is rich native
silver ore taken from the mines of
Batopilas. Ocampo and Parral. 1t is
seldom that any currency or coins are
seen.
Villa has refused to sanction the
issuing of any more paper money. for
the reason. he says, that it is of no
real value and often causes losses to
its holders. :.
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08

outlet for Ajax tires, both in the
United States and in the foreign
markets. 1t is natural that our vol
ume should materially increase since
the signing of the armistice and the
resultant removal of all barriers to
big production.
"On the part of an unthinking
few there has been a noticeable
tendency TO hold off on buying. This
hesitancy, however, is rapidly being
replaced by a confident. go-ahead
spirit, and the minority who still
hold back are due to lose by their
cautiousness. Tire prices have de-
chned generally within the last fort
night. 1t is certain that this re-
ductlon. amounting to approximate
~ 10 per cent, will tend to even
more greatly stabilize the business
ard permit leap into full stride
progress"
j. P. Rieger, of H. John NJ. Maris
Company, Inc, declared that per-
slstenee was overcoming any poten-
tlal shortage of materials, saying:
I'VE ourselves do not find any
trouble in securing merchandise, es-
peclally in the glass line. In the
rubber line we sometimes experience
some difficulty in slow shipments.
We, however, find that by hammer
ing away at cur source of supply
we finally manage to get enough
goods to supply our wants.
"Our judgment tells us that
things are gradually getting better
and that we can notice a difference
monthly."
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
European Horrests
WtU Reduce Need

7'so - ~ obvious, for the time being
~ 'east, that the European haryests,
nv" ci"ze at hand, must largely reduce
'''S foreign calls upon us u seems an
apparently simple proportion for the
s''sshment 10 alter the form Of it's
guarantee 70 the farmer on wheat, and
sSaS feiuec the cost Of -four 10 the
s'hSamer and still keep faith with the
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08

houses, and no house should be per-
mitted to be occupied until provided
with proper means OF drainage and
means Of sewage disposal and an ade-
quate supply of pure water
G. In all new housing schemes pro-
vision should be made for reserying at
least one-tenth OF the total area Of land
Being developed for building purposes
as omen snace for Fairgrounds. and also
tor reserving suitable sites for such
Institutes, public buildings and stores
as maY be renuired
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Shortage OF Skilled
Labor Retards Trade

There are many angles to lay
this situation to, but the writer
really believes that the principal
difficulty is the inability to obtain
labor. Carriers do not seem to be
able to take care Of the goods that
are being shipped and manufacture
ers do not seem to be able to turn
them out fast enough-all being
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
The Man Behind
Eanada's Programme

The inspiration for the Canadian
plan came from Thomas Adams. hous-
ing and town planning adviser, who had
long experience in the housing prs
grammes of Great Britain A central
board of experts sits at Ottawa ana
gives the provinces the benefit of its
researches and architectural standards,
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Buyers Stress Quality,
Not Selling Price

Robert S c hwa arzen b a c h, of
Schwarzenbach, Huber & Co., man
ufacturers of silk fabrics, declared
New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
uslness Relates the Tale of Old Mother Hubbard

that the demand is exceedingly
good and the emphasis is on quality,
not price. He added:
Due to this demand for quality
product at a season when the raw
silk supplies become exhausted any
way, raw silk is scarce and cor
respondingly high in price, higher,
in fact, than it has been at any
time during or before the war.
''The cloud on an otherwise
bright horizon is furnished, as in
other industries and trades, by labor
conditions. The orty-four- hour
week is IN operation in our industry
in sections Of the metropolitan dis
trict, with the result that these Sec
tlons are operating under excessive
uncompetitive costs which are miti-
gated in their effect, for the time
being, by The prevailing prosperity.
Tendency T01pard Shorter
Hours Notion-Wide
'In the country at large there is
everywhere tendency toward
shorter hours, to ffty-one or fifty,
and in many sections one toward
higher wages. Generally the cost
Of labor is higher than anticipated
at the time when autumn business
was booked.
Foreign competition maintains
wartime dimensions only; that is to
say, has not yet resumed the i'm
portance Of ante-war days"
The General Silk Importing Com
pany, developing a similar argu-
ment, said:
'ln the raw and thrown silk mar
ket all indications point to unpre-
cedented demand. Buyers are anx-
ious to take silk yarns Of all descrip-
tons for immediate and near future
delivery at continually advancing
prices.
eve believe that manufacturers
are not largely covered beyond Sep
tembck> in raw and thrown silk, and
this fact will probably tend to keep
the market strong for some time to
come, especially in japanese raw
silk. An additional reason for
strength is the present prosperity of
the Japanese, who can afford to wait
for good prices whenever there is a
temporary lull in demand."
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1919-12-12
Undecisiye Character.

"A person OF undecislye character
wonders iow AZ the embarrassment
In the world happened to meet ex-
actly in his way, TO place him just In
that one situation for which he Is
peculiarly uladapted, but In which he
is also willing TO think no other man
could have acted with facility or con-
fidence. Incapable of setting up a
firm purpose on the basis of things
as they are, he Is often employed In
vain speculations on some different
supposable state Of things, which
would fhaye saved him from all this
perplexlty and irresolution. He thinks
what a determined course he could
have pursued If his talents, his health.
his age had been different; II he had
been acquainted with some one person
sooner, ii his friends were, In this
or the other point, different from what
,sshey are; or IL fdfune had showered
,herlfavors on laiH- And be gives him
self as much license 70 complain as
II ali these advantages had been
among The rights Of bis nativity, but
refused, BY a malignant Of capricioua
fafe, to his Ire Rev. John Foster.