The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-06-03
FDNANClER ON
IDAHO OUTLOOK
John CLAY OF CLAY.ROBINSON
SEES STATE OF IDAHO IN EX-
CELLENT CONDITION; EX-
PECTS STEADY INCREASE.

PECTS STEADY INCREASE.
Il have been visiting Idaho for 81
years but have never seen the phys
ical condition Of the state present a
better aspect than it does at the pres
ent time," said John Clay of Clay
Robinson company the other day in
Boise. "Crops and stock are in excel
lent condition and, while livestock
may be said to be at the bottom of
prices, yet the market is beginning
to show life and the coming months
will see steady increase in this in
dustry."
Stockmen all over the country, ac-
cording to Mr.. Clay, are just begin
ming to feel heaviest results of the
winter of 1920. The immense losses
sustained during that winter together
with the vast amount of money that
had to be spent for feed and 500 re-
duction in prices which they are now
standing, have practically paralyzed
the livestock industry
Wool Boom Will Come.
However," said Mr.. Clay, "the
time has come when people every
where mus. buy more clothes. For
more than a year there has been a
silent strike against wool. Not in
tentionally to be sure, but people have
not bought Nclothes to any great eX-
tent on account of the high prices.
Eastern wooden mills are now operat-
ing at normal output and the wool
market is beginning to show signs of
life"
Finer grades will strengthen fast
er than coarser grades. In time the
lower class of wool will gain promi-
nence on the market" To illustrate
this fact Mr.. Clay cited as an example
carpets.
"Wool flour coverings in almost ev-
cry hotel visit" he said "show signs
of wear. In a short time these will
have to be replaced with new ones"
Has Not Met Situation.
'The retailer has not met the situa-
tion," said Mr.. Clay, ''but it has not
been his fault. He was caught with
lot of high priced goods on his
shelves and while he has reduced
some he has not been able to compete
in the general reductions. He has
also been burdened with high rentals
, and taxes. Smaller towns have moi
felt the reductions to the extent that
the larger centers have been affect.
ed"
Producers everywhere have taker
the cut and are meeting conditions
and as Idaho is essentially produc
ing state, the let down has been fell
strongly by the farmers here" sale
Mr.. Clay. However, producers arr
not the only ones who are meetin,
the situation" he went on. have not
iced this particularly where | hav,
travelled recently in Montana, Nortl
Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming
MI. Clay spoke very highly of tn
farmer and other producers of raw
material. "They are showing won
derful nerve" he said, "and are set
ting a lead for all the rest of US +
follow"
Labor so far has not conformed 7
the general reductions but it must i
the end; it is an economic impossi
biitv for it to do otherwise. Farr
labor has fallen off 500 yet railroa
labor continues at the peak. TIL
farmer has had practically no in
come for the past II months yet he
willing to take more than 500 RI
duction for the things he produce
The railroads have increased their II
comes by increased freight rates an
rail labor continues high. HIGH
unionized work is not being game
does not want to conform to the c,
that has come to every one
No Immediate Help.
Mr.. Clay can not see any immedla'
relief in the Fordney tariff bill. Col
ditions have changed SO during Il
past few years that ordinary tari
regulations will not apply" We mu
extend credit to foreign nations b.
they say we discount their none
The English pound is being discoun
ed 25T, the French franc l5% al
the German mark 95@. "Anoth
lad aspect" said Mr.. Clay, lis q
fact that our government securiti
are selling too low
"Al eyes are now turned iowa
Washington and the national admin
tration is expected to map out a,
follow a pathway of economy,
concluded.