The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1920-10-01
SURVEY SHOWS
GREAT STRIDES MADE
BY UNITED STATES
ST. NEI OF L. :. BY FRANKLIN
X. LANE SHOWS PROGRESS IN
MANY BRANCHES. r. X. CONDI-
TIONS IMPROVED.

TIONS IMPROVED.
Franklin X. Lane. former Secreta "
of Interior today issued a statement
making public a summary of what he
calls "The first comprehensive, care
fully made ard approximately accur-
ate picture of industrial. agricultural.
financial and political conditions
throughout the United States" It dis
covers in the foreground. he says that
both major political parties have over
looked the greatest issue in the public
mind. which is the cost of living. Il
also shows, he states. that the country
is on a sound economic basis. with the
wave of extravaganza subsidng, saw
ing increasing, wholesalers and retail
ers optimistic over the winter outlook
and growing disposition for hard
work, although the individual produe-
tivity of labor IS not yet showing
much increase.
Mr.. Lanes statement summarizes a
survey made through 900 field repre-
sentatives of the Fidelity and DEPOSIT
Company of Maryland and covers ev-
cry section of the country. Manufac-
turers. merchants. Chambers of Com
merce, bankers. lawyers, business men
and farmers were questioned in the
effort to mirror the immediate eco
ncmic and political situation and OBJ
tain a concensus of representative
opinion as to the future. The reptile
from all localities were made sinful
taneously by telegraph
In a preface to his analysis Of the
survey, Mr.. Lane says; "With the
presidential election but six week
away and the winter rapidly an
preaching many thoughtful people
stand hesitant and undecided having
difficulty because Of the general lack
of knowledge of business conditions
outside their own locality or interests.
The general tendency has been to see
what the next man thinks, with the
uncomfortable feeling that his guess
is no better than another's. | be
lieve, for this reason. the picture. pro
oented in the tabulated analysis made
by the Fidelity and Deposit Company.
is of interest to every business man
and voter. While il Is not, of course
perfect in detail and exact in prophecy
It is as clear and valuable a conspect-
us of present conditions as can be
gathered"
Under the healing of Industrial con
ditions Mr.. Lane says: Economically,
the United States is shown TO be bet
ter off than any other country in tn
world. There is no evidence of idle
ress. Our people have the opportun-
ity to work and are at work
"There is no shortage of raw mater
ials sufficient to curtail production
reported from any of the nine geogra-
phical districts into which the coun-
try was divided for the purpose of the
survey. Only in the district includ-
ing Minnesota. tie Dakotas. Iowa.
Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsin 5
there evidence of lack of orders. New
England industries report number Of
cancellations. but there. as elsewhere
manufacturer, are we'll filled with
calls for their product.
Transportation conditions are inn
proving everywhere and a substantial
reduction in the freight car SHORTAGE
+ reported in every district except n
the Rocky Mountain States. in the
Southwest and in the district includ-
ing Kentucky, Tennessee. Alabama
and Mississippi, although an improve
ment is noted in the latter district.
a shortage of coal and tie failure
Of labor TO increase individual produe-
tivity appear to be the only two unfa-
vorable aspects in the immediate in
dustrial situation. The Rocky Noun
tain and Pacific States report a SUI
Gent supply of fuel. All other see
tions Of the country are feeling the
shortage but it is apparently least felt
by the South Atlantic states.
Although labor IS costing still more
than II did last year, it apparently s
producing no more Wages have adj
vaneed from 10 to so per cent in the
last twelve months and yet nowhere
there reported increase in productivity
per man. ! am not expecting that the
cost OF labor will fall Off even in the