The Washington times., 1919-03-17
BOOM ERA TO
HELP BRING
FIRMSTOD.C.
Campaign to Make City Manu-
featuring Center Launched at
Psychological Moment.
By BILL PRICE,

Washington business men who are
promoting the boom for manufactur-
ing in the District were today conf
dent that they have really struck the
psychological moment for the move
mSnk, and that the efforts they will
make will bring reward which will
be OF great benefit to the entire city.
The business and Industrial outlook
Of the country as a whole is slowly
Improving, which means that conn
dence is re-eStabIishinE itself: that
business OF all kinds will become in
fused with hopeful prospects; and
that in a few months more prosperity
Will run down and run over crOakers.
pessimiBts, and Bolshevists.
Therefore the movement for en-
larginG the manufacturing activities
OF WashinEton stands right in the
threshold OF the open door to the
great times Of the future, just ready
tc push into the inner portals along
with the FIRST rush Of those seeking to
obtain the good things that go with
prosperity.
COuRtFy's Busineks Outlook.
Every Governmental agency in Wash
ington is agreed that there is i'm
pPovement in the general outlook. 1t
10 pretty hard to keep the active,
hopeful business man of America in
the cellar of despair. He is going to
work his way out and get where the
sunshine strengthens his convictions.
The Federal Reserve Board, which
represents the allied banking interests
Of the United States-the strongest
aggregation Of money in the world
continues to receive gratifying re-
ports Of the slow return OF confidence
and, with il, the restoration of in
dUgtry and business.
Members of the new Industrial
Board authorized by President Will
son, working under the Department
OF Commerce, grow more sanguine
each day.
The Department Of Labor makes
the flatfooted declaration that build
ing operations began to increase in
February, and are increasing still
faster In March. Comparatively little !
of II is BY the Government.
Unemployment is no worse than
at any time in the past, and shows
signs Of improving as industries be-
gin putting on steam and offer en-
-RIoyment to idle men.
Exports Are Increasing.
American exports are increasing by
leaps and bounds to all countries, due !
TO the fact that the American mer-
chant marine at last amounts to
something. The Shipping Board re-
, Gently made the very interesting Of
fieial statement that today the Amer
lean merchant marine comprises 46
per cent of all shipping plying be-
tween American and foreign ports.
The American fleet now represents
about one-fifth Of the entire sea-going
tonnage Of the world, and is being
constantly increased.
At the beginning OF the war only
81 per cent OF the exports and i'm !
ports Of the United States were car
ried under our flag.
As the army and navy release much /
of the shipping they are now using, I
the American tonnage will be largely 4
increased. There will then be over |
LOO vessels under the American flag. /
A Chance For BuSIness. /
All this, according to the Shipping |
Board, means that as the world read
justs itself. rubs its eyes, and begins |
TO return to normal, Uncle Sans in
dustry and business will have not
only markets but ships in which to
carry goods 10 and from this coun-
try.
Postmaster General Burieson adds
10 optimistic official figures available
in many directions by stating that
increased postal business is a sure
rorerunner Of great prosperity for
the United States l.
The Federal Reserve Board. having
before il every minute the facts as
10 the banking resources of the coun-
try, knowing the views OF the bank l.
F@k
timid and cautious, finds a multitude
OF favorable conditions in the reports 4
coming TO it.
The fundamental problem or read
justment is, of course, employment
Yet the board states that there. has
been oVerRnxiety and eXaEgcration as
20 unemployment. and what it means
There is better cooperation between
capital and labor than reports OF
strikes here and there indicate.
There IS as yet nowhere a sweeping
revision Of wages downward In most
sections OF the country wages stand
zbout where they have been. with
business men recognizing that this
should be the case until there is a re
auction in the cost Of living The two
60 hand in hand.
In the metals markets there have
been sharp declines. compared 10 wa
CAybp uOLAoly II lbdor NOpptIs anu ZINC
IRON and steel are showing no in
creased production at this minute. yct
big steel men are hopeful
Retail Trade PrOSperinE.
From practically all sections Of TIC
country come reports that retail trad,
- holding up well. with increased
business in many sections. The con
sumner apparently has resources avail
zbIe for buying what he wants. Even
ewelFy and luXuries, including |
pianos, are losing no ground.
A. q rule retailers are purchasing
autioUsly, which has the effect Of Nv
settling jobbing and wholesale lines
One piece OF official machinery thut
is now depended on TO aid in th-
processes OF modification and return
O normal conditions is the Industrial
Board, composed OF strong men who
- AVG - - l.,