The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-04-16
THE TIDE OF PROSPERITY.

The tide of foreign already has set in The
armistice was signed on November H. and in December
the exports of merchandise from the United States
valued at $685. the largest for any month of that
year. Incidentally the imports fe to 1910 886,5l7 the
lowest of the pear giving December the widest margin of
exports imports for 1918.
In January, 1919, the exports 1922 $685. the
largest for any month in the history of the nation
pared with 1904 for January 1918 The exports
for February of this year $587 compared
with 11316,970 for the month last year. Febru-
ar exports greater than those of any month during
1918.
These figures encouraging, since they indicate plain
y the tendency of foreign to grow and increase
quickly the restraints imposed by the
moved. These optmists who proclaim that the United
States supon the of tremendous business activity
evidently are not indulgng in idle conversation.
The government, working through the finance
poraon is preparing to assist in the stimulation of for
eign trade. 1t has 81 900 to devote to this pur-
pose in the form of loans to exporters which will enable
them to sell to customers in the devastated countries of
Europe who have not the gold pay cash for their pur
chases the credit upon which to borrow Through the
finance corporation this government will finance THEN
purchases until resumption of business has been accom-
plshed abroad This process will assist the American ex
portes in getting firm foohod in the markets of the
world.
Regulations now in the making by the finance
corporation to govern the lending of money exporters
Under the law loans up the limit of $50 900 900 can be
made tn firm cornoration evnortino
Unacceptable collateral security must be given the gov
eminent to protect it. The interest rate to be charged
and other details have not yet been determined.
Export loans it is explained must of necessity be for
comparatively long terms twelve to eighteen months to
permit of turnover of the goods so and the banks
unable to lend for such long periods Consequently the
function of the finance corporation to help out these
and make onas where the banks cannot
The bright outlook for the foreign commerce Of this
country hold eqauy pleasing prospects for the ntena
industr situation, since manufactured goods now form
large portion of exports and probably will increase
in proportion the process of resumption goes on abroad
Machinery tools and building materials will be ntremen
dous demand the months go by and to produce them in
this country will require all the industrial energy that con
prosperity the greater the industrial activity in the United
States the heavier will be the demand for goods of all
kinds in the home markets.
With this wonderful prospect facing America it diff
fcult to understand how any can take pessimstc
view of the future There has been only one possible
for manufacturers holding back at this time and
declining to open wide the throttle of industry That is
the question Of costshe cost of materials the cost of la
bor the cost Of fuel etc. This obstacle is being removed
through the steps taken by the and represen
tatve Of the various lines of industry stabilize prices
The first step to ascertain the price of iron and steel
products which already has had beneficial effect Other
basic commodities will be treated likewise so there no
longer exists that Of hesitation Let American en-
ergy and courage now get busy