Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-04-27
WORST IS OVER
IN NEW ENGLAND
FAMOUS STATlSTICIAN SEES
NORTHEAST READY FOR
PROSPERITY.


showing the path of a business de- 7
preston you would note its striking
resemblance TO a weather map out
lining the path of a storm. The pres
ent depression was first evident in
New England and has spread south +
ward and westward until it centers
today in the wheat growing section
Of the middle west.
New England being the first to
feel the depression, is according TO
the great basic law of action and re-
action, the first to show signs of re-
cOvery. From a study Of statistics
am convinced that the found
alton of fundamental conditions
necessary for the period of improve
ment is practically complete as far
as New England is concerned. Dur
ing this coming year manufacturers,
merchants and bankers Of this sec
ton of the country will struggle with
their individual problems. While |
do not expect to see anything like
period of prosperity for this section
in 1922 | do feel that the worst is
over and that Il gradual improve
ment will be evident from now on.
"ln activity the more imortant in
dustres are already reflecting de-
cided improvement. The textile in
dustry for instance, which is by far
the most important in New England,
is much buster than year ago. Ac-
tivity in cotton goods for instance is
so percent Of normal at present,
whereas year ago 1t averaged 80
percent. Wooden goods were OPP
Grating at full capacity during the
early fall and are still running near
it. A year ago most of the wooden
mills in this section were running be-
tween $3.50 and 400 of normal activi-
ty. Fundamentally the textile in
dustry has turned its corner and is
already in its period of Improvement.
The executives Of New England face
two problems. First, the fact that
the cotton center of the United
States, is rapidly moving South. In
1914, lS,500,000 spindles reported in
the northern states as against -
100000 in the southern section. AT
present the report shows l9,500,0OO
in the northern states, an increase
of 5fc and 100000 spindles in the
south, an increase Of over 25fc. If
the executives of these northern mills
are to keep the textile center Of the
United States in the northeast they
must meet this competition.
"The other factor .that is keeping
them from all operation are rather
heavy imports Of both cotton and
wooden goods from England. These
resources of course depend largely
upon. the tariff legislation. The
safest way to meet this flood of
medium priced foreign made goods
is to increase efficiency and pro
duce better quality textiles in this
country.
"The boot and shoe industry has
also turned a corner, and its present
activity is improving steadily each
month. The shoe men are also facing
the same problem as the textile peo-
pie. The shoe center Of the United
States is gradually moving westward
I'm 1914 New England produced
$3.50 of all the shoes made in the
United States, this decreased to 1870
in 1919 and the latest figure shows
that production Of all grades OF
shoes during November 1921 was
only 37iafc Of the total United
States production. The western
manufacturers have increased their
share Of total business by producing
medium priced, good quality shoes
which can be made and marketed in
quantity. | cannot help but fee
that this competition with other see
tons of the country presents one OF
the most serious problems that the
New England manufacturers must
produce better goods, lower prices
and more efficient organizations.
'The paper industry is experienc.
ing marked improvement, but is
now in the trough of a slight decline
Heavy stocks are still proving a han
dicap to this industry. However
conditions are great deal better
than they were year ago, and 1922
should be better than 1921.
"The labor conditions in New Eng.
land are experiencing considerable
REIMBURSEMENT. Most industries have
had at least one cut. The manufac-
turers are also taking the same view
of the situation and are doing every
thing that is possible to increase the
efficiency Of their workers. Overhead
costs will decline further thruout the
year. Reduction of freight rates
will greatly help New England
Manufacturers who have longer
average haul TO their consuming mar.
kets than any other manufacturing
center in the country. All in al
most of the individual plants in New
England will experience better bust
ness in 1922 than. in 1921. The
amount of Improvement depends al.
most entirely upone. the attitude OF
the men in charge.4s
Fundamental conditions have set