Imperial Valley press., 1921-04-04
B j s | \ ESS
4 \ D CIR OF
Oh 7 LOOK
c D D D
Nationwide Survey Points
to Improvement in All
Lines of Mercantile and
Economic EndeayOr.

BALTIMORE, April 4.-David F.
Houston, former Secretary of Agricul-
ture, in analyzing countrywide sur
vey of industrial, financial, agricultur-
al and other economic conditions, de-
clares that "the big national question
is taxation with peace settlement and
international trade mex"
The survey, made in all of the geo.
graphical divisions Of the United
States by field agents of the Fidelity
and Deposit company of this city,
consisted Of answers to 36 questions
by farmers, bankers, manufacturers
and public officials. An interesting
feature Of the statistics is that in ev-
cry section except New England and
the Rocky Mountain states building
General transportation conditions in
every state were reported "good" and
raw materials plentiful. Savings ac-
counts, the survey showed, increased
in 10 states.
Police officials of 81 states said
there have been a noticeable increase
in crime over last September, but a
decrease was reported in Massachu-
sets, Maine, New Hampshire, Ver-
mont, Rhode Island. Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Della
ware, Maryland, District Of Columbia,
Virginia, West Virginia, North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and
Mississippi.
In every state the consensus of opin-
<Lnk Ln g., ~
disposed Of all their last seasons crop.
Low prices and shortage of money and
labor are said to have caused reduc-
ton in acreage in all states except ILL
nois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebras-
ka and the Pacific Coast states. The
crop outlook for 1921, however, in
every case, was reported good.
1.-THE survey indicates that the busi-
ness world is still feeling its way, but
with increasing confidence and with
the conviction that the worst has
passed." said former Secretary Hous-
ton. "The country has successfully
borne the strain caused by most not
able drop in prices, particularly of a
vast volume Of raw materials, and has
weathered trying period of liquida-
ton.
"The demand for finished products
has not developed to the point where
our factories feel justified in taking
the requisite quantity of our surplus
raw materials to furnish the necessary
relief to their producers; but there
are indications of change in this di-
rection.
"This survey points to certain IA
vorable domestic conditions. The cost
Of living has appreciably diminished.
Building operations in number Of dis
tricts tend to increase. There have re-
Gently been no strikes of consequence.
Greater production of labor per man
is reported from all districts. Raw ma
terials are plentiful, and physical trans
portation conditions are good. There
have been no business failures of mo-
ment. The crop outlook is satisfac-
tory; and the banking situation has
improved.
"The country is better off today
than it was three months ago, and
manufacturers in growing numbers
are planning definite production sche.
dulles. Information from other quar-
tiers than this survey indicates that
the automobile industry and textile
lines are picking up now. But the
public is still restricting it's buying.
1T is apparent that we are ap'
preaching the point where many man
ufacturers can get materials at prices
they can affor dto pay and with lower
wages and more efficient labor they