Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-06-22
BABSON US
Labor Scarce in Some
Lines

Wellesley Hills, Mass, June 10
With the news full of strikes, threat
ened strikes and labor unrest, Roger
w. Babson, statistician. today issued
the following statement regarding the
general industrial situation:
"For some time,D said Mr.. Babson,
'fbusiness in the east has been re-
viving. Were it not for the textile
and other strikes in New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, bust
ness conditions in New England,
New York state, and Pennsylvania
would be very good today. During the
last year, the central west has been
the weakest spot in the business stu
alton. The abrupt drop in the price
of grains, livestock, and other farm
products left the agricultural sections
of our country in very bad condi-
ton. You will remember. the farmers
conference at Washington and various
forms of aid enacted by congress and
different state legislatures.
FARMERS IN BETTER MOOD
"The rise in agricultural products,
however, which occurred a few months
ago, accompanied by the good weather
conditions of the last few weeks, has
made the farmers feel very much bet
ter. Reports which / am receiving
from correspondents in the west are
truly encouraging This applies not
only to the agricultural districts, but
also to the mining and lumber bust
ness. Even the automobile industry,
which is such factor throughout Ohio
To- . foaIfno, ,nttoh an
couraged. OF course, the union coal
fields are more active each week. The
cut in freight rates should help the coal
and lumber business. The demand
for cotton continues strong and the
south is gradually feeling better. This
better feeling throughout the west and
south is reflected by the Improvement
in the business of the mail-order
houses. The customers of tho mail-o~dcr
houses are largely in the rural dis
tricts. This shows that the farmers
have again begun to buy. This is very
gratifying and is one of the reasons
for the continued strong stock market.
"Owing to the change in the for
eign trade situation and the sale of
foreign bonds in this country, sterling
exchange is much stronger. Although
it may be only temporary movement,
the whole foreign situation looks bet
ter than it has looked for some time.
Private advices tell me that a settle
ment is being approached between Ger
many, England, and France, regard
ing the German reparations. If this
is so, it should be distinct impetus to
business, both by causing Europe 20
buy from this country and giving con
fidence to loan Europe Although no
change has taken place in the Russian
situation during the last week, yet
signs even in Russia are favorable at
the moment. For the first time in many
years, things look encouraging in
Europe.
STRIKE IMPROVEMENT
f'The strike situation in New Eng
land is gradually clearing up. The
strike in Providence is about over,
and production in all the mill cities
is gradually increasing 1t is be-
lieved mills will have all the men
they desire after the Fourth Of July.
Another factor helping the mill stu
alton is the fact that many of the dis
satisfied employees are getting posi-
tions elsewhere. There is considerable
demand for common labor today. Many
of the striking employees from the tex
tile and other mills have been able
to get satisfactory wage in connec-
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