The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-10-05
LANE
HOLDS COUNTRY
IS STILL SOUND
In Comprehensive Out
line of Economic Situa-
ton Former Secretary
Sounds Optimistic Note

has given out summary of what he
calls 'the first comprehensive, care
fully made, and approximately accur-
ate picture of industrial, financial ag-
ricultural and political conditions
throughout. the United States" the
facts having been collected by inves-
tigators from the Baltimore Deposit
& Fidelity company.
Thine great issue, he considers, is
the high cost Of living. The survey
shows the country on sound, econo-
mic basis with the wave of extrava-
gance subsiding. saving increasing,
wholesalers and retailers optimistic
over the winter outlook. and a grow
ing disposition for hard work, al
though the individual productivity of
Labor is not yet showing much evil
dence Of increase.
Economically the United States is
better off than any other country in
the world" saws Mr. Lane. There
is no evidence of idleness. Our peo-
pie have the opportunity and are at
work.
Two Unfavorable Aspects
"A shortage of coal and the failure
ductivity appear to be the only two
unfavorable aspects in the immediate
industrial situation. The Rocky Noun
tain and Pacific states report suf-
ficient supply of fuel Ali other sec
ti0ns 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 it did last year, It ap
parently is producing no more. Wages
have increased from 10 to so per cent
IN the last IL months, and yet nowhere
is there reported an increase in GRO
ductivity per man. am not expect
ing the cost of labor will fall off even
IN the worst of times to its pre-war
stage, for | believe that the differen-
tai between directing labor and man
ual labor will never again be as great
as It has been.
An important disclosure of the sur
vey is the seriousness of the housing
situation. In many of the larger in
dustrial centers. where the shortage
has been, most acute. building opera
tons seem to be decreasing rather
than increasing.
The call for buildings comes loud
est from the most essential places of
manufacture, rather than from the re-
tan centers, and is for low priced
dwellings. Building L, construction is
Increasing in New England, but the
bulk OF construction is of factories
warehouses and stores.
Better Transportation
In no part of the country did the
investigators find sentiment in favor
OF government OWNERSHIP of the rail-
roads" said Mr.. Lane. "and every
where better transportation conditions
are reported.
In the financial field money is
tight. That may mean several things
iirst, that the people want money bad
" to put into producing activities
second. that the banks attemIt to get
whatever the traffic will bear, shear
ing close to the skin third, that tn here
= an adequate supply of money, or
fourth, that those who have money
lack confidence.
There are other reasons. no doubt |
and among them that as the dollar
buys less than heretofore, people with
money wish to charge more for the
service that money gives. Probably
an contribute to the present situation.
The country does not like the
present taxation system. The excess
proffts-fax is in bad favor every
N'N' oPIHiOu is QlVfQeQ, however
as to a substitute. In the east andl
central west, sentiment runs strongly
Tor sales tax. but elsewhere opinion
We are not yet masters of the
art OF distribution of products. The
tact that the farmers uniformity re-
port a desire for some cooperative
method by which their products cam
ne brought to consumers, means that
TINS problem is of great Importance.
t nut IS It not for the farmers bene-
TIT, primarily that such a movement
must quickly eliminate in action. The
consumer feels that some where be-
tween the farmer and himself, too
much is taken for service of com.
parative insignifcance.
The farmers are apparently nor
alone in desiring cooperative action
The survey shows opposition to CO.
operative movements onlv in the New
england and Pacific coast districts.