Evening star., 1919-03-16

| uncertainties chiefly explain the con-
tlnued hating. With undiminished
force. the price question dominat es
most commercial markets and buyers,
while momentarily disregardins the
element of cost if their wants be
especially urgent are, in the main.
sun waiting for various commodities
70 move more deciSively downward.
where the readjustments have AL
ready been drastic. as in textiles.
response has come in the way of aug
mented and more confident opera
tons by both domestic and foreign
interests. and where prices seem now
70 rest upon comparatively stable
baSIS there is some evidence of a
disposition to anticipate forward
wants more freely. The rema rka bly,
moderate weather that has prevailed
IN many sections. if causing ac-
cumulationS of winter merchandise
and a lessening OF profits through a
smaller turnover at reduced values.
has prompted earlier than usual open
lngs of lines of spring apparel. and
mas also given a decided impetus to
resumption Of private construction
on more nearly normal scale.
W nile signs of Improvement yet re-
main absent in some of the larger
industries. and though labor condi-
tlonS continue disturbing in not few
instances. a general spirit of hopeful
ness ana optimism, tempered by con-
servatism. features the present situ-
alton.
Vital Economic Problems, Topic.
the millennium it extravagantly
promises while the mass of the peo-
PIE ara uniformed about-or. worse.
uninterested in-the vital economic
problems confronting this nation,
says the Guaranty Trust Company of
! New York in its weekly letter, in
which Francis H. sSisson. vice presi
dent of the company discusses the
subject of "Electric Railways and
Investors" when there shall be such
general enlightenment and intelli-
gence." he says, "as are required for
|, he success of state socialism there
will De no need, or place, for such
specious theories of government. be-
cause their fallacy and peril Will be
apparent to all. Then the people as a
whole will understand that the state
cannot deprive the individual of the
fruits of his initiative and long thrive,
or even survive
Continuing. Mr.. Sisson says:
That there is singular and deplor-
however, is plainly evident through
out the land. 1t is no more pro-
nounced. perhaps. than in the attitude
of the people generally toward the
public utilities. But thanks to the
costly failure of the governments ex-
pertinent in controlling the railroads.
there may at last come a dawning
consciousness among the thinking
element of our body polite of the
tragic possibilities. as well as fatal
limitations. of state socialism. Let us
hope that this awakening will occur
before it is too late, in dealing with
the problems of the electric railways
of the country. 1t may not be amiss
to observe that every progressive
banker and investor today is well
aware that his interests are inevi-
tably and inalienably allied with those
of his community as whole. and that
whatever promotes the prosperity and
welfare of all the people also profits
him. Because the bankers realize this
basic principle of their relations to
the public. and also because they un-
derstand that which the general pub
lie does not appear to appreciate.
namely, the peoples vital financial
stake in public utilities. they are
keenly interested in problems of the
electric Railways"