The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1921-04-13
Brighter Outlook
In Business World
FORMER SECRETARY OF TREAS
URY DAVID F. HOUSTON CON-
MENTS ON PROSPECTS OF
FUTURE,

| That the business world is still feel
ing its way but with increasing conf
dence and that the worst has passed,
are the conclusions drawn from the re-
suits of a second survey Of national
conditions just completed by the FL
deity and Deposits company of Bal
| timore
The survey shows that the country
has successfully borne the strain
caused by most notable drop in pri-
ces, particularly Of vast volume of
raw materials and has Weathered a
trying period Of liquidation.
Foreign Market Still Tight.
David F. Houston, former secre-
tary of the treasury, commenting on
the survey, says:
''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 neces-
sary relief, to their producers but
there are some indications of change
in this direction. Business men rea-
lie that forced action based on arti-
fetal optimism may lead to unwise &C
ton, and produce further embarrass-'
ment. The foreign situation has not
shown the expected improvement and
continued difficulties are experienced
in discovering an effective European
market for our commodities.
'This survey does point to certain
favorable domestic conditions. The
cost of living has appreciably dimin-
ished. Building operations in a num-
Der of districts tend to increase. There
have recently been no strikes of con-
sequence. Greater productivity of la
Dor per man is reported from all dis
tricts.
Raw Materials Plentiful.
Raw materials are plentiful, and
physical transportation conditions are
good. There have been no business
failures of moment.H> The crop outlook
is satisfactory; and the banking stu
alton has improved. It is believed
that confidence in business circles is
slowly spreading and that while
there is hesitancy the business men
Of the country are feeling their way
with sound business caution and the
country is working back toward
more stable condition.
'In undertaking to give business
men comprehensive and timely pic
ture of national conditions and public
opinion, the Fidelity and Deposit Co.
has once again performed distinct
public service.
"What the survey discloses should
be an encouragement to us all to go
forward with confidence, though not
with recklessness."
Many Fields Investigated.
More than one thousand representa-
tives of the Fidelity and Deposit Co.
gathered the information contained in
the survey.
They obtained from bakers, manu-
facturers, business men and farmers,
answers to QUESTIONABLE covering
economic, agricultural, industrial and
general conditions. The replies were
telegraphed to Dallimer, where they
were analysed and tabulated. The re-
view was made in the same fashion as
the company's first survey, published
last September.
In preparing the QUESTIONABLE econ
omists, lawyers and many men in pub
lie life were consulted to make it as
complete and comprehensive as pos
sible. Among those who suggested
questions were Attorney General Har-
ry M. Daugherty, Sen. Reed Smoot,
Secretary of Agriculture Henry c.
Wallace, his predecessor, E. T. Mere
dith and Albert D. Fall, Secretary Of
fho Tnforior>