Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1922-09-29
pABS0N, ststistieisn RsnGes
 ID on Business Conditions

Wellesley Hills, Mass, Sept. 23.- Roger w. Babson this week issues a warning to cities and towns to get busy on their municipal improvements immediately. His reasons are as fol- lows:-
 "A revolution is to take place in city development during the next de- cade. The automobile is to have as great an effect on living conditions as the sewing machine had on weavings. As the mill has taken place of the home spinning wheel, so the suburb is to take place of the city for residential purposes. Tremendous movements from the city to the suburbs may be expected during the next few years. Wise cities begin to immediately pre- pare for this great suburban develop ment, which, in many cases, will mean the extention of city limits.
 "Such a revolution in living must result in the extension of water plants expansion of sewerage systems, and a tremendous era of new road build ing, home building and other improve ments. This will cause a great de- mand for carpenters, masons, plaster CTS, and common labor of all kinds. The building boom has not yet reach ed its height. Every feature connect ed with building, form the supplying of the raw materials to the furnish ings of the home, should prosper for the next year or two. This is the real reason why certain forms of labor is scarce today and why certain building materials and commodities are strengthening in price. It is the real reason why the mine operators of the Central States and the mill owners of the Eastern States have been obliged to take back the workers at the old wages. It is this emigration from the city to the suburbs which has changed the labor market. Of course labor lea ders claim credit for checking wage cuts, but it clearly is not due to them. Henry Ford's flivvers are causing this demand for homes in the suburbs, and the consequent demand for mechanics, carpenters and common labor.
 "Wise are the cities and towns that take advantage of these new condi- tions. Those city fathers who do not, will miss great opportunity. More over, the time is now especially pro- pitious for municipalities to capitalize this great movement, Monye rates are low. There is good demand for municipal bonds. The Federal Income Tax and state and city taxes are es- .pecially favorable to municipal bor- rowing. How long cities will nave this advantage do not know, but the sit ,uation certainly should be seized while it lasts. Nothing helps city so much as good paving, splendid water SUD- ply, proper sewerage, and, of course, good schools.
 "This especially applies to the Southern cities which have not in the past had the available funds that some of the Northern cities have had. Great opportunities present themselves to those cities that are to benefit from river Improvements flood protec- tion, and other, natural problems. New Orleans is an illustration of a city which should take advantage of this present opportunity of low money rates in paving its streets and devel- oping it's suburbs. B..
 During the next ten years we will witness great municipal race,-yes, great municipal Marathon race. The cities which are now behind will have an opportunity of getting in the front ranks; while some of the cities now in the front ranks will drop back into the lower places. The result of the race will depend upon the vision of those who direct the affairs of these cities"
 These changing conditions are al- ready evidenced by the Business Baro- meter Figure of the Babsonchart which has reached to 2 per cent be- low normal. I expect this sub-normal condition to soon disappear. Wise are the cities which plan their improve