Evening star., 1921-09-10
BUSINESS TF1R ROUGHOUT NATION
SHOWING RAPID IMPROVEMENT
l. strial Plants and Companies See Both
Profits and Production Possible Even
: at Present Prices.
BY BYRON SELLER.
Special Dispat Itch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK. September 10.-Busf-
ness throughout the United States
continues to be as good as business
men make it, and dispatches received
dicate that they are rapidly making
it better. Industrial plants and COM
panies and individuals engaged in
basic industries are rapidly bringing
their businesses to a point where
both profits and production are as
sured even at present prices and un-
der present conditions.
Business has responded throughout
the south to the increase in the price
of cotton as though by the wand OF
magician, and this rejuvenation, with
its accompanying liquidation OF old
debts, has been keenly reflected in
the grain-growing areas. Confidence
and optimism in the midwest has
been enhanced by realization that the
wheat yield has been less heavy tnan
was at first anticipated. and by satfs-
factory development of export ton
mage demands.
Content With Narrow Margins.
Productivity is the problem occu-
pying the attention of every FAR
have realized that the days nave
passed when it was possible to sell
all possible output regardless OF cost
of production or price to consumers
wide a margin of profit they can de-
mand. but how narrow a margin OF
cost they can achieve. Gradual read
justment along those lines is sending
more plants back into activity every
day.
This problem of productivity is not
one affecting labor solely. During
the. period of necessary curtailment
of operations, managers found that
they could, through efficient metnoos
and, individual efforts of workers.
achieve equal results with less men.
This was proved conclusively by the
automobile tire manufacturers OF AK
ron. Consequently they show every
indication that in the future tney
will demand that a fair standard OF
individual productivity be maintained
by their workers and the present
state of unemployment gives them
confidence that they will be able to
obtain it.
Productivity Main Object.
But if they are demanding that
each worker come up to standard
they are even more insistent that
each dollar of capital as represented
in plant, equipment and sales organi-
cations maintain an even higher
standard of productivity. They real
ize that the individual efficiency of
the worker is more important than
his wage scale and that the efhciency
Of every dollar of capital Is more
important than sales prices. In ad.
dition. they point out that increased
productivity does not mean less jobs,
but more jobs through broadening
of operations and that it means tre-
mendous increase in prosperity ior
all when normal conditions nnaiiy
return
than the railroads to see the effect
of this principle. Their records
show that by means Of increased
productivity of capital and labor
pluses and are handling tonnage
with a remarkable absence Of delay
eouaiiv ee T efficiens in promoting the
Resumption of steel plants even
under adverse conditions.
Settlement of the builuins traces
controversies in Chicago by Judge
Lands has been eff1cacious IN pro-
noting agreements in other cities
and within the next few weeks the
entire country will begin to feei
the effects of building revival. Lum,
her is moving under an increased
demand, which also is responsible
for frmness of prices In other build
ing materials and hardware.
Full Speed In Textile Centers.
The larger textile centers not only
are working at full speed. but with
assurance of continued activity for
months to come. Coal is responding
slowly to the demand occasioned by
the increased activity in industrial
plants as well as to the demand for
domestic uses. Retail business took
a decided brace after Labor day. and
many merchants have been under
necessity of reordering to replenish
stocks. Bankers everywhere are re-
porting more favorable conditions
with ample credit available for
legitimate needs OF solvent bor-
rowerS