The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-22

BALTIMORE, Md, Sept. 22--Frank-
lin X. Lane. former secretary Of the in
terror, today issued a summary OF what
ne calls the first comprehensive, care
FULLY made and approximately accurate
picture OF Industrial agricultural, finan-
cal and political conditions throughout
the United States"
It discovers in the foreground, he
says, that both major political parties
nave overlooked the greatest issue In
the public mind, which is the cost OF
living. II also shows, he states, that
the country is on a sound economic ba-
sis, with the wave OF extravaganza sub
siding, saving increasing, wholesalers
and retailers optimistic ovar the winter
outlook, and growing disposition for
haru work, although the individual pro-
ductlVity or labor is not yet showing
much evidence OF increase.
Mr.. Lanes statement summarizes a
survey made through 800 field represen-
tatives OF the Fidelity and Deposit Com
pany OF Maryland and covers every Sec
ton OF the country. Manufacturers,
merchants chambers OF commerce.
bankers, lawyers, business men and
farmers were questioned in the effort
10 mirror the immediate economic
and political situation and obtain a
consensus OF representative opinion as
to the future. The replies from all 10,
calities were made simultaneously by
telegraph.
In preface to his analysis OF the
survey, Mr.. Lane says:
with the presidential election but
six weeks away and the winter rapidly
approaching, many thoughtful people
stand hesitant and undecided, having
difficulty because of the general lack OF
knowledge OF business conditions out
side their own locality or interests. The
general tendency has been to see what
the next man thinks. with the uncom-
Portable feeling that his guess is no
better than another's. / believe for this
reason, the picture, presented in the
tabulated analysis made by the Fidelity
and Deposit company, Is OF interest to
every business man and other voter.
While II 10 not, of course, perfect In de-
tall and exact in prophecy. II is AS
clear and valuable conspectus of pres
ent conditions as can be gathered"
Under the heading of Industrial con-
dttions, Mr.. Lane says: Economically,
the United States is shown to better off
than any other country in the world
There is no evidence Of idleness Our
people have the opportunity to work
and are at work.
There is no shortage Of raw material
sufftcient to curtail production reported
from any Of the nine geographical dis
tricts into which the country was di-
Hided for the purpose OF the survey
Only In the district including Minnesota,
the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas. Nebraska
and Wisconsin Is there evidence OF
lack Of orders New England Industries
report number OF cancellations, but
there, as elsewhere, manufacturers are
well filled with calls for their products.
Transportation conditions are Inn
proving everywhere and a substantial
reduction In the freight car shortage
Is reported in every district except In
the Rocky mountain states, in the
southwest and in the district including
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and
Mississippi, although an Improvement is
noted in the latter district.
"A shortage OF coal aud the failure
OF labor to Increase individual produC-
sttvity appear to be the only two unfa-
yorahle aspects in the immediate in
dustrial situation. The Rocky noun
tain and Pacific states report suffi-
cient supply Of fuel All other sections
of the country are feeling the shortage,
but Il is apparently least felt by the
South Atlantic states.