The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-09-08
Finance, ,RealEStatea and Insurance

many instances, the best paid labor in the country, and additional in creases in pay would simply mean an increased and unnecessary burden upon the people. On these points there are no possible differences of opinion among those at all familiar with the railroad problem; but as to future organization and operation, there are very widely different opin- ions. Private initiative should be given as much freedom as possible, since in that way only can the public receive the best service. This has been abundantly proved by eXperi- ence, Federal incorporation. scientific consolidation, governmental regula- tion and boards of management rep resenting users, owners and workers. are all macers capable of being ad- justed upon an equitable basis, pro vided our legislators deal intelligently and fairly with all the parties con- Ccrned- In its present form, the Cummins hill, which is likely to com- mand most attention, needs some very careful revision. The prohibition of strikes on transportation lines is an excellent and much-needed provision on behalf of the public. Government
 
 fear, if made efficient, fair and inteIli- gent; but will be harmful unless the present Interstate Commerce Com mission be improved upon. Giving labor a share in management has much in it's favor. buC the proft-shar- ing system is questionable and not likely to satisfy labor when the avail able amounts of surplus profits are divided up into infnitesimaI and elu- sive parts. The promise of a flair return upon the value of properties sounds well, but so far as the Cum mins bill is concerned means nOth- ing Upon the whole, the bill Is full of fair promises, and is the product of a subcommittee which has given much experienced thought to the sub jeCt. But the control of stockholders over their properly would be greatly Curtailed. and the success of the new bill would depend very much indeed upon the attitude of the government, which, if the railroads are to live and attract necessary new capital, must be much more COnsiderate than it has been under the regime of the Inter state Commerce Commission. There will be much opposition to the Cum mins bill, and, if passed, it will be considerably amended
 Stock Market Outlook
 A decidedly better fecHng prevails in the financial district Probably the most important aid in this direc- ton has been the more reasonable attitude of labor. Disturbances of this character have evidently reached their climax. Strikes may still occur: but workingmen have already very materially improved their position. and as lower wages are not in sight any amelioration in the high cost of living will confer a still further bene- fit General business is satisfactory and the usual autumn activity is close at hand; the outlook being promising. despite the fact that the agricultural yield will fall below early expecraIaons and only reach about an average re suit. ID any event, growers of grain, cotton, etc, will secure good profits ProfteerinE, both among producers and distributors, has received a pro nounced check, and this will tend to allay public unrest. Banking and credit positions are sound. Building is still 30 per cent. below normal. owing to high costs of materials and labor. Reasonable concessions in sum ulate this department of industry. In the export trade there are signs of unusual activity. Europe needs not only our staple products, such as food, oil, cotton, copper. etc, but will also need large quantities of Ameri- can steel manufactures To a very considerable extent we shall supply much of the materials ordinarily fur mi hvF g~4+o seriously handicapped in it's foreign trade by the great disadvantages in labor and coal, the latter having about trebled in cost. We should therefore export much larger quantities of To- comOrives, cars, oil, machinery, pipe, etc, for which there is a brisk de- mand throughout Europe to replenish after-war requirements. There is also every prospect of a big home de- mand for steel, oil, copper and 2 any luxuries, such as automobiles, for months to come. Railroad shares. though neglected, are firmly held, in | the belief that the government will fulfil its pledge of returning them to owners in as good condition as when taken over; also in hope that new | legislation will prove both fair and intelligent There has been some 1 improvement in the money situation, | funds being more abundant; while indussials as collateral are accept ed with less discrimination than former ly. Exchange continues very low, but must be scratching bottom. There is every prospect of an active but very irregular stock market. with prevalent upward trend. Values in some cases however are exceedingly ] cratic, and all transa ctions should be z.zszzzzzz.zazsazzazzA