The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-04-07

en- Il short-time basis. this does not
mean that the general industrial sit
uation has not improved The coun-
try is better off today than it was
three months ago, and manufacturers
in growing numbers are planning
definite production schedules.
But the public is still restricting
its buying, and probably will continue
to purchase cautiously until retail
price reductions become more nearly
equal to the reduction in manufacture
ers' and wholesalers prices. The
maintenance by retailers of a rela-
lively high price level has been, per-
haps. the chief stumbling block to
quicken industrial activity.
An appreciate reduction in wages
is noted in every section and in vir,
tually every kind Of industry. The
fact that savings accounts have in
creased in the industrial sections,
however, would seem to Indicate that
in such districts wage and salary re-
auctions have not been as great as tho
reductions in the prices of commodi-
ties, and that. therefore, fortuna: ely.
the decreac in wages has not ncccssi-
AoNNh u NV I iIA1 VI NiC VI W
living.
Except in New England and the
Rocky Mountain states building Oper-
ations arc increasing This increase,
However, is nowhere sufficient to
meet tho demand and in every part of
the country there is need for low
priced dwellings,.
Credit Situation Better
The credit situation is improved.
Interest rates range from six to eight
Ter cent for the country, as whole,
bu' banking funds arc reported avail
able by every section except the
South and Rocky Mountain regions
The crop outlook is stated to h"
sood everywhere. except i'll the cen
trail West and on the Pacific coast.
where farmers are reported to be re-
duCing their acreage
The reports from SCme agriCu!-
tIral sections of farm labor shortage
also may need Interpretation.
"A demand fer Farms by renters is
observed in Illinois, Kansas, Mis-.
souri,. Ncbra ska and in the South At
lantic and Pacific states. Wes' ern and
Southern farmers are reported to be
Withholding payment Of bills and the
condition of the cattle and sheep rails
ers in Kansas. Nebraska and the
Rocky Mountain districts. where
there is a congestion in wool. is re-
ported to be poor.
The housing shortage leads az the
most important local question in the
hundreds of communities covered by
the Fidelity and Deposit company's
reports, Unemployment is second
and taxation third. Sections which
report "A noticeable increase IN crime
since last September arc tho middle
West, Rocky Mountain and Pacific
coast states
Taxation Big Question
The big national question. accord
ing to the survey, is taxation, with
peace settlement and international
trade conditions next Taxation is
appermost in the minds Of the aver
age man. The country is opposed TO
the present tax system. and is becom-
ing increasingly impatient for change.
In its reflection of the attitude OF
j business men generally toward the
highly technical questions of tariff
and other forms of raising revenue,
the survey has. perhaps, its greatest
significance to me 1t indicates that
as whole we are talking of lcgisla-
tive and other means Jf stimulating
tho return to normal conditions with
Gu clearly understanding the funda
mental economic questions involved
without accurately defining the
. terms used. Ii may be doubtful
whether those who answered the
questions concerning tariff and do
mestic taxation had an opportunity L.
give the subjects the requisite invcs-
tigatiCn and consideration.
According to the survey many
business mon and the Western farm
ing interests desire higher tariff on