The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-12-29
WELL SATISFIED
WITH PAST YEAR
Department of Commerce
Says Domestic Business
Shows Good Progress
II PER CENT MORE
FOR FARM PRODUCTS
Total of Agricultural Products More
Than Previous Year - Production of
Manufactured Commodities so Per
Cent Greater than In 1921.

WASHINGTON, Dee. 29.-Stock tax
ing of the nations domestic business for
the past year gives "a feeling of satisfac-
ton as to the progress made, the depart
ment of commerce declared today, in an
end of the year statement. and from this
days position. it added. there are lao
serious obstacles in sight which should
hinder further advances in the early
new year.
Optimism, born of the accomplish
ments of the past months which many
officials of the government regard as a
remarkable strengthening of the eco
nomic fabric. is evident throughout the
statistics and details of the statement,
which noted that the production of
manufactured commodities averaged 80
per cent larger than in 1921. The farmer
received approximately II Per cent more
for his products than in 1912 and the
total volume Of agricultural products
was worth much greater sum than was
that of Il year ago.
THE unsettled conditions in foreign
countries. particularly in Europe how
ever. the statement continued. are
still depressing our trade. and, to some
extent have no doubt kept the prices of
other commodities. But within the past
two months this latter condition has been
relieved to some extent
While dealing only briefly with foreign
trade. the review said that American ex-
ports had dropped is per cent as COM
pared with last year, bat the comparison
was on a basis of II months and, in ad-
dition, represented u long climb from
Il poor start, according To officials. I'M
ports to September -, when the new
tariff law was effective, were slightly
above last year. and indications are it
was stated unOfhcially, that the years
total may exceed last years imports by
q small margin.
The total volume of building, Grdina-
rily u measure of the country's business
health. was % per cent larger in the first
IL months of this year than in the same
period last year, and the prediction is
made that the full years record viii eN-
coed that of 1919.
Increases in production with the reduc-
ton of immigration were said to have
taken care of the unemployment situa-
ton and labor shortages were reported
IN many localities, although this condl-
ton was not general. 1t was added how
ever, that work appeared 10 be waiting
for most lab0rers who sought 1t.
The years progress was reported to
have changed n huge surplus of freight
cars into Il shortage. This shortage was
general, IL WAS stated. despite Il lower
percentage of cars under repair than in
many months. Freight movements, how
ever. were described generally as salts
factory.
One of the chief benefits derived by the
farmer through the economic changes of
the II months was the increase in his
purchasing power. according to the re-
view. which called attention to decline
of 10 per cent in wholesale and five ~
cent in retail prices.
The DEPARTMENTS survey showed that
textile mills were about 20 per cent NOR
active than last year.
Coke was 10 per cent, paper 20 to 30
per cent. rubber 40 per cent. motor vehi
cles 80 ner cent. building construction -
ner cent. lumber - per cent. brick -
per cent. cement - per cent. leather -
per cent, sugar - per cent and meats
about five per cent.
The only declines of outstanding Impor-
lance were per cent in bituminouS coal
and AZ per cent in. anthracite, both OF
which were due to the strike. and there
fore were not regarded as indicative Of
n fundamental fault in the economic
structure They were more than 81
it was added. by the generally higher
level of production in all other lines.