The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-08-24
NATIONS BUSINESS
HOLDS STEADILY ON
COURSE, IS BELIEF
New York journal Of Commerce.

New York journal Of Commerce.
The inquiry into business conditions
conducted by this newspaper and pub
lished during the past week furnishes
a fair cross section of opinion among
influential factors in some of the more
important branches of trade.
There is a general correspondence
in the information afforded which
shows uniformity and suggests strong
ly that the nation is passing definitely
thru the uncertainties which have
been noted from time to time during
recent months. All this Is encourag.
ing and seems to correspond with the
reports from many other sources
which have lately come to hand.
AS the best basis for optimism the
facts respecting our agricultural and
other productive output may be cited.
There is now good reason to expect
crops ur-to the general average Of the
PAST few years in most lines, and in
some cases we'll above it.
Prices are good, and while there is
some tendency to readjust the exorbit-
ant values that have existed in months
past this must be regarded as whole
some rather than the reverse.
1t would, indeed, be a regrettable
thing If in time of plenty food values
were advancing instead of receding as
they should. There will be a full re-
turn to the farmer and his buying
power shows every indication of sus-
tanning itself we'll in most parts Of the
country.
Manufacturers Holding Pace.
Coupled with this general situation
in the productive basis of the nation is
to be counted the fact that manufac-
turing, all things considered, is holding
its own well. There was a good deal
of talk in the spring to the effect that
production in manufacturing lines had
fallen off, statement which has been
shown by facts to be largely baseless.
Such statistics are not fully up to
date. due to the difficulty of getting
conclusive returns that are more or
less behind-hand at any given time.
There has been some suspension in 4
certain number of lines, and this will
show as the new figures come forward.
On the other hand there has been re-
vival in several and it may be broadly
stated that both in derived industries
and in agriculture there is an encour-
aging state OF things.
1t is in building and the allies lines
that there is perhaps the least salts
factory outlook We are far behind on
accommodations in housing and a like
case exists abroad. This is a complex
problem, partly due to taxation.
The community will not be speedily
relieved, but will only gradually re-
cover from its present troubles.
Measures are now. however, in process
for the Improvement Of some of the
conditions that are most troublesome
end it may reasonably be expected
that there will be change for the
better before long. From the invest
ment standpoint-and this has its
direct bearing not only upon the build
ing industry but upon any business
which requires a large fixed capital
there are serious problems to be
met
Lack Of Capital Obstacle.
II will be a good while before the
lack of capital which now exists is
overcome and during this transition
period there will inevitably be more or
less suffering or hardship due to re-
adjustment of prices and the altera-
tions in demand and SUI ply which
follow upon all such changes. Sound
observers are now of the opinion that
this state of things will not continue
in any acute form for an unduly long
time 1t is, however true tIat there
is demand for capital in many direc
tons. with lack of saving or real in
vestment and that in consequence
there will have to be high rates oil
return upon money. This necessarily
furnishes somewhat of a handicar
which business will have to meet.
Such forecasts are not always accur
ate, hut there is the best of reasons
for believing in the correctness OF
their general trend.