Great Falls tribune., 1921-04-04

The survey. made in all Of the geo.
graphical divisions Of the United
States by field agents of the Fidelity
& Deposit CO., of this city, consisted
of answers to 36 questions by farm
ers, bankers manufacturers and public
officials. An interesting feature OF
the statistics is that in every section
except New England and the Rocky
mountain states building operations
showed marked increase. General
transportation conditions in every
state were reported good and raw
materials plentiful. Savings accounts,
the survey showed, increased in 10
states.
Increase In Crime.
Police officials of ~ states said
there have been a noticeable increase
in crime over last September but a
decrease was reported in Massachu-
sets, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont.
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, District Of Columbia Vir-
ginia West Virginia North Carolina
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mis-
sissppi.
In every state the concensus OF
opinion was that the farmers have not
disposed Of all their last seasons crops.
Low prices and shortage of money and
labor are said to have caused a re-
duction in acreage in all states except
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Ne
braska and the Pacific coast states.
The crop outlook for 1921, however,
in every case, was reported fair or
good.
THE survey indicates that the bust
ness world is still feeling it's way, but
with increasing confidence and with the
conviction that the worst has passed,
said former Secretary Houston. The
country has successfully borne the
strain caused by a most notable drop
in prices, particularly Of vast volume
Of raw materials, and has weathered
trying period of liquidation.
"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
some indications of a change in this
direction.
"This survey does point to certain
favorable domestic conditions. Inc
cost Of living has appreciatbly dlmln-
ished. Building operations in a num-
Der of districts tend to increase. There
have recently been no strikes OF CON
sequence. Greater productivity OF Ia
Dor per man is reported IN all dis-
tricts :,
Raw materials are plentiful, and
nhvsical TRANSPORTATION conditions are
good There have been no business
failures of moment. The crop outlook
is satisfactory; and the banking situa-
ton has improved.
THE country is better off today
than it was three months ago, ana
manufacturers in growing numbers are
planning definite production schedules.
information from other quarters than
this survey indicates that the automo-
bile industry and some textile lines
are picking up now. But the public is
still restricting it's buying and probably
will continue to purchase cautiously
until retail price reductions become
more nearly equal to the reduction
in manufacturers, and wholesalers
prices.
''rhe maintenance by retailers Of a
relatively high price level has been
perhaps the chief stumbling block &, to
uuickened industrial activity. The
great cut in producers and whole
salers' prices last summer and fall
was not followed by proportionate re-
ductions in prices to consumers
Within Consumers Reach.
1T is apparent that we are ap-
preaching the point where many man
ufacturers can get materials at prices
they can afford to pay and with lower
wages and more efficient labor they
can furnish goods at a cost within the
consumers reach.
AN appreciable reduction in wages
is noted in every section and in virtu-
ally every industry in the country. The
fact that savings accounts have in
creased in the industrial sections, how
ever, would seem to indicate that in
such districts wage and salary reduc-
tions have not been as great as the re-
ductions in the prices of commo odities,
and that therefore, fortunately, the
decrease in wages has not necessitated
a lowering of the standard of living.
THE credit situation is improved.
Interest rates range from six to eight
percent for the country as a whole,
but banking funds are reported avail
able by every section except the South
and Rocky Mountain regions"