The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1920-09-25
$10O.0OO,00o

French Government loan, which was
offered to the public recently by
syndicate of banks and bankers,
headed by J. P. Morgan & Co, AL
bert, Vice President of the Guaranty
Trust Company of New York, said:
of the progress of reconstruction in
the devastated districts of France
have excited the admiration of Amer
leans for a people who have demon
strated their ability to accomplish
such truly remarkable feats of recon-
struction in so short a time. 1t is
doubtful, however, whether we in this
country appreciate the full signffi-
canoe of these recent achievements
in their relation to the program of
the French leaders of finance and in
dustry for the development of French
industry and commerce on much
larger scale than has hitherto been
attempted.
mo mere restoration of pre-war
production and trade is sought. The
industrial program of France includes
a more intensive utilization of the
enormously increased natural re-
sources in continental France and
more rapid development of her vast
colonial empire, in extent and re-
sources second only to the colonial
empires of Great Britain.
"If the present goal of reconstruc-
ton in France were merely a restor-
alton of the pre-war rate of produc-
ton, it would readily be recognized
that the most difficult tasks have for
the most part already been accom-
plished. All of the 400 miles of
trunk line railways destroyed during
the war have been repaired, and on
July 10, last, it was officially an
nounced that the railways of the
North and East of France had re-
sumed operation on pre-war basis.
Moreover, all save $4,000 of the pop
uIation of 100000 in the war area
have returned. The degree of re-
,rNt; re ir1d ri al
the battle zones is indicated by the
fact that of $500 factories each en-
ploying in 1914 at least 20 workers
and destroyed during the war, 1000
are again in operation.
SIN agriculture, the degree of re-
covery has been even more remarka-
BILE. In the more important branches,
production this year is close to nor
next year France will be practically
Self-Sufficient as regards foods, need
ing to import but small quantities OF
wheat, fats and sugar.
1.-The trade figures show conclusive
ly that France has already e-egained
her ability to export large quantities
of manufactured goods, the product
of the superior skill of her industrial
workers. In the first months of
1920 exports of manufactures exceed
ed imports by almost 70O,O00,0OO
francs The total import balance of
trade in the first 6 months of 1919
was 11,Oss, 100000 francs, and in the
first half of 1920 the balance was
reduced to 1850, 100000 francs.
France has normally imported more
commodities than she has exported,
the balance being offset by invisible
mites, chiefly returns from about So
other countries.
France is now potentially one OF
the worlds principal iron and steel
producing countries. Before the war
- a
S.30O,O00,0O0 tons. Now, with the
recovery of the Lorraine deposits, but
exclusive of newly discovered iron
fields in the pre-war boundaries, her
iron deposits are estimated at more
than $500, 100000 tons. Apart from
Lorraine. which normally produces
| 100000 ions of ore annually, the
annual steel producing capacity OF
France has been increased since 19l
| by 100000 tons.
This enormous increase in steel
producing capacity is representative
1Sof the new construction in many
| lines of industrial production behind
the battle fronts during the war
| years.
The provision Of cheaper motive
power through the developm emit of
| Frances potential water power,
| amounting to approximately 9,00o,-
900 horsepower, promises, moreover,
to stimulate French anufacturing d.
rectly as we'll as through the electri-
|
commission has recommended the ell
| ectrification of 1920 miles of rail-
way, and work on new installations
| of hydro electric plants for this pur-
pose has begun. In 1913 only ap-
Iproximately 100000 horsepower was
! developed. Important developments
were effected during the war. AT
! the conclusion of hoStilities, 1850,
| 900 horsepower was in use and, on
the basis of works in process of con-
! struction and definitely projected, by
! the end of 1921 it is estimated that
l16OO,O0O horsepower will be installed
Each million horsepower of develop
ed water power represents theore-
teal saving Of 5000, 900 tons of coa
annually. But relief from the coun-
try's normal dependence in part up
on imported fuel is not conditioned
alone upon the development of the
water power of France The contro
of the Saar coal basin will promptly
afford a material degree of relief.
Before the war France was ar
important producer of textiles, par
| ticularly cotton, silk and wool. Witt
. Alsace, formerly the chief seat OF
the German cotton industry, France
will have about / 100000 cottoT
spindles and 1S5, 900 looms.
French agriculture is being slim
ulated by the adoption of labor-sav
ing machinery. The utilization of thu
Vast potash resources of Alsace, more
over, will not only afford a basis fol
The EXPANSION Of AGRICULTURAL mo