The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-01-08
Strongly Optimistic Messages from
Leaders in Finance, Commerce
and Industry

(From Manufacturers Record, Jan. 81
No more remarkable collection oil
opinions about business conditions
has ever been presented by newspa-
per than those appearing in the SYM
postum herewith. Remarkable be-
cause of the large number OF recog'
nized leaders who have here given an
expression of their views, it is Of the
greatest significance that men of af-
fairs, of all degrees, are united in the
confident belief that this country fac
es an era of the greatest prosperity it
has ever known, and deeply impress.
sive because of the fact that conclu-
sions reached are the evident results
of hard reasoning after a broad sur
vey of changed world conditions.
The expressions herewith do not
come from nero optimistic exubcrance
or from an emotional assumption that
nothing but great good ever can come
to this country, for there is no blink
ing here of the problems that con-
front us in the readjustment to peace
conditions. The difficulties we shall
have to meet and overcome are fully
recognized and carefully appraised.
Reasonable taxation, prompt and fair
settlement by the government for can
celled war contracts, solution OF
transportation problems, equitable
adjustment of wage scales, the read
justment of foreign trade balances
all these are recognized as elements
that must receive definite and con-
elusive action before the country
will be in shape to go full steam
ahead" But,
The whole world needs our fofo1
stuffs, our raw materials and our
manufactured goods-and also IN our
own country the stocks are low.
building operations, both here and
abroad, must shortly be resumed on a
gigantic scale the tremendous needs
for railroad construction and repairs
are too pressing for long delay; good
roads construction is certain to soon
start up on scale not before known;
the demand for all sorts off Ameri-
can-made machinery, also for motor
trucks, made familiar on the battle
front, has already actively and prom
isingly begun, and therefore as con-
ditions demand that all problems shall
be solved, the belief, is held that they
will be solved; that individually, col
lectively and all together America
may be relied on TO do the things that
should be done, and that the wisdom.
the patriotism, the energy, the tear,
work of nation which has so stern.
ly and so unitedly achieved as we
have in the work Of war will not fail
us now, and that we will take I'D the
tasks Of peace without faltering. with
out wavering, without trepidation or
misgiving, and with courage resolu-
ton and confidence swing the nations
industries back into a full peace time
stride.
Frank A. Vanderlip, president OF
the National City Bank of New York
declares "the situation in the United
States Is particularly promising" and
concludes an inspiring review OF
conditions with the declaration: eve
have the natural resources; we have
well-knit, happy and resourceful
people; we have tried industrial or
ganization with marvels of accom-.
plishment to its credit; we have a
splendid banking machine and stupen-
dous gold reserves; the world looks
to US for our products. Shall prob
lens Of REIMBURSEMENT and reconstruc
ton destroy our progress and defeat
our resolution? 1t, is uncomfortable
All that we need is individual cour.
age and confidence. The belief in
prosperity is its creation"
President Mark Potter of the Caro-
lima Clinchfield & Ohio railroad sends
a ringing message of optimism, in
which he says: 1--WE are entering the
most creditable and prosperous era we
have ever known. There is no war;
rant for hesitancy or fear. It is a