Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-07
From Other Viewpoints
ThI> Country Refuses 10 Stampede.
ny ARCHER WALL. DouGIAS.

the constantly asked question as 10 how
long present conditions will continue is in 1t
sci, an implied recognition OF tho unstable
ANA a Tin -ial situation today. So the only
problem is when II will come TO its natural
end Also whether that ending will be sudden
or gradual
Logically, and according TO the analogics OF
the last. II should come with sudden jolt.
jus, "a mos; o. us have prophesisd Yet watch
will surprise all the prophets when IL actual
what We made II. being Ike that definition OF
Boston as state OF mind rather than con-
crete fact.
|; depends in - srea; degree upon wide
sNread reckless buying o: everything under
the sun at any price. much upon
questioned and ver" sound material factors OF
great wealth in III natural production and re-
sources. II Is obvious therefore that anything
which may chilli and dampen this buying
thus lS:n and optimism as 10 ;h- immediate
futLv. will put :. decided crimp In the volume
OF business. which in turn vii! mean decreased
demand and Increased supply with conse
Uuent lower prices. ana that will act RS FUR
,he- deterrent I" buying save for immediate
wants. and SO on all The Way down
We know that there several things
which may bring all this about. such az ,hA
collapse o: overstrained credit the bank
:u2tly o. Europe with onseuucnt falling on
in our exports. Yet we have lived through 50
many troubles weathered many storms
;nat have grown cailous 10 alarms. Wolf
has been cried so often that do not believ-
there is any wolf. Sucn is the state o: the
GENERA! mind which has been fed up
prophecies OF woe and OF caiaclysms. and yet
when does not believe that any o: these
things Imminent And upon the cont!nu-
= Of the general attitude OF thought 'cs;s
mainly ihe continuance OF present conditions.
W. ar. like unto the people in the DAYS
when Nosh was building his ark For ". go
on hu'!ng and selling. marrying and giving
IN marriage. only We know that the food is
coming hui do not believe IL rs huiie due yet.
Hence i Is that the value Of business grows
,arr'r. the demand is as Unsuitable. and the
Supply mraGsr and unsat's!i ctory. Produc
i!cH is Increasing despite continuing strikes.
shortage OF labor and OF material. and great
dtNrth OK transportation. We would be in u
SAL r.
fsc.llt:"s ~ TRANSFORMATION provided by rl"c-
ir!r lines ana motor cars. Just now the latter
Cri- most immediate hope for an addlt ION
80 transportation methods. until that time
when the railroads get into shape.
Sales 80 futures on ali seasonable goods
ar, IN nnnsna! measures. while in the way q.
Cutting goods for nrxt fall and winter Il i
after ;he f1AN!on OF The chiid:en's: Will you
tax" them no" or wait til! YOU can get them
There many interesting sidelights in the
business situation indicated by symptoms
IN RI. steady ir.f, Of the country In ALI ways
%: convenience. comfort, sanitation and edu-
cation. There sie greatly increased sales .!
bathroom hNinr"s and electrical devices in all
thr rI:ai districts. Automobile sundries are
~ "rse demand in all sections. and Their IN
creas" is especially marked in the South. Til"
soda wafer fountain and prohibition. between
them hsv" md" Ice cream freezers one OF the
n"r"sstri"s Of LIE.
Ever iahor-S ivins device Tor in The
auIs,hoid find. an iinm.dat. sale The old
s,ur ,bou, women loving to do Jomestie
Iruiaery does not 60 any more. as II did when
/ Gray wro;" Tn busy housewife plies her
The agricultural SITUATION is most perples
tns. oidinst'iy Win priees o. food products
II very E..r Il y safe Inference that large
acreage Wi. be seeded 20 all farm products
the nea; spi!ns Eut farmers generally are
io"king for lower prices for their crops the
coming season. and apparently are not keen
l"out greatly increased yic!ds. with farm la
scr rcarce ana high prices. Moreover. they
seein 20 feel tina: they hsvt not had thnir fui
snare Of the erea: profits aused by the war
ccini;.,e1 with those obtained In Industrial
lIcc so there Is xpread!n. talk among them
| by me cotton growers or the South and which
| duct On.
the European situation grows steadily
worse with the depths 20 ~hah foreign ex
! change h.s fallen the SLOW Industrial rccov-
/ cry and the d'snirarIton In social cconomi.
, OIL AMI political !fc
1t IL evident that good many economic be.
| az Tive axiom th,t no nation can ever afTord
| u man MP tree II seems that the only quEs
| ton for mucn % Europe IL hoy bunk:uptc,
| nsy hc avoided. Else there remains the alter.
! lions 10 coma with weight %! taxation which
| tn"y may r.!u-r hear
| one phase %. the European turmoil Is re,
] = the sM'sicr and malignant attempt to put
: that the existing frame o. social ard eco
namle HE uust hrst br destroyed so that
new fantastic scheme. condemned by actua