The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-12-13
TELLS WHAT
MERCHANTS
SHOULD Do
Nothing Mysterious or Alarm
ing About Present
Situation
ESPECIAL 10 rHE rlnEsl

DETROIT, MICH, Dec. 1S-That We
shall witness revival of business
and employment generally in 1921 is
the prediction OF William z. MetZger.
one of the pioneers of the automotive
industry a director OF the National
Automobile Chamber of Commerce. vice
president of the Columbia Motors Com
pany and an official in various capa-
cities in many other concerns.
Mr.. Metzger's cheerful prediction is
based on his long experience in many
lines of business. on first hand infor-
nation from some OF the greatest and
far-seeing bankers and manufacturers
and on a summary OF fundamental con-
ditions just completed by the Columbia
Company. He expects 1921 to be year
of sure. steady growth in business and
a period in which a nrm foundation Will
be laid for years of prosperity.
WHAT MERCHANTS SHOULD no.
There are TWO things for every
business man to do now" says Mr. Metz
ger One is to employ every fair me
thod to keep his wares moving for the
next two or three months. The other
is TO lay plans now for future bust
ness. that is business three or four
with the change OF seasons in the spring
and this applies to all lines of bust
ness including retailing of automobiles
There is nothing mysterious or
alarming about the present situation
We and all other countries are paying
for the world war 1t caused a tre-
mendous wastage of men. money, eff
fort and resources and all that waste
Ha
man who has been III almost to the
point of death a long time to recover.
SO it will take the world time to re-
cover. Some countries will recuperate
more quickly than others because they
were not 50 hard hit BY the war and
because they have the tremendous nat
ural resources for ,hc creation of ncv
agricultural and manufactured wealth
that will make tteir convalescss,e not
only easy but cuick such q one il
cur country. Far thst reason we shoula
all ne glad that We live in the United
Stetes.
There are many signs now apparant
that recovery in our country is we'll
underway. And those who observe con-
ditions abroad know that reaction of
more favorable character is prevail
Shb III EhSldHus FRANCE holland, Bel
gium. the Scandinavian and other coun-
tries.
CAR DEMAND WILL REVIVE.
Just because the demand for auto
mobiles. to select a specific article as
an example. has fallen off," continued
Mr. Metzger, does not at all signify
that it will not revive and soon This
is the fastest-thinking. the fastest-act-
ing. the 'snappiest' nation in the world
today and II demands every facility
that will result In the best accomplish
nent in the shortest possible time That
Is the fundamental reason why the de-
sire to own motor car is inbred in
the heart Of every American. and that
desire has not been abated one lot by
present conditions. The longer demand
is repressed the greater the buying re-
action when il comes-and that will be
soon.
Just now demand is slow in all
lines Home building has fallen off
people are doing without shoes. coats,
hats. gloves and many other things or
dinarily regarded as necessities. Just as
long possible.
RESULT OF ATTITUDE.
The result of this attitude has been
what?" asked Mr.. Metzger
Liquidation everywhere and in al
most everything" to answer my own
question.
"on every stock market we have
Continued on page nine)