Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-03-25
Whole Civilized World Is Now
Moving Irresistibly Forward

tons, it would quickly revive. Big distrib-
utng merchants are in similar position.
Generally they are carrying small stocks OF
finished goods, and are prepared to buy
freely when satisfied that prices are upon
more stable basis. Some large producers,
such as the copper men and some of the
leading textile manufacturers, have recoG-
nized this factor and deliberately made
heavy sales at a loss in order to start things
moving and stabilize prices. Over a million
pieces OF print cloths were sold during the
last ten days at the new prices. Steel man
ufacturcrS have made concessions of 10 to
Ii per cent in prices to meet the situation.
As for agriculturists, they are in a class
by themselves. Their prosperity for an
other year at least is positively assured. We
must feed Europe at oil hazards, and that
means high prices AMI big crops. Our farm
ers should produce the very utmost for
their own individual good we'll as for the
starving millions across the seas. Russia
and other food growing sections of Europe
which ordinarily produce large SURPRISES for
export, will only have food enough to keep
them alive this year; hence in foodstuffs
there Will be little decline in prices this
year if any, and higher prices need cause
no surprise.
Giles was abandonment of the peg in sterl-
ing exchange. Such n move was not en-
tlrely unexpected Following She unsettled
conditions in French exchange it showed
that return to the normal is proceeding
IN the financial world as elsewhere, though
1t remains to be seen whether exchange can
be left to itself or whether some measure
of control may again be resorted to. If the
present rate of excess in exports over i'm
ports continues gold imports would follow
were it not for present restrictions which
viii probably be continued for a period.
1t is announced that Great Britain will
discourage imports and encourage exports
hoping to restore equilibrium in her foreign
trade. 1t is not expected that these de-
Velopments in sterling will have any adverse
effect beyond inflictinG some losses upon
American products stored abroad and still
owned here. FROM the broad point of view
the step was welcome as indicating q re-
turn to normal.
On the stock exchange there was lessened
activity and a slight check in the advanc-
ing tendency pronounced during the last
few weeks. Investment buying was less
conspicuous and the advances were con-
fined to a few of the industri which
were benefiting from special circumstances.
Railroad shares were affected by the I'M
favorable relations which exist between
them and the government, well as by the
fact that their financial condition was such
as to suspend all improvements and better
ments. Steel shares declined on the ex-
pectation of lower prices for steel products
despite the belief in some quarters that
when bedrock reached such losses
would be offset by a liberal influx of new
orders. The placing of the New York Rail
ways company in receivership had little eff
feet though regarded as symptomatic of
conditions in local traction affairs. All
purchases for the time being should be made
with close discrimina ton. Before long the
Victory loan campaign will begin in earnest.