The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1922-08-16
STRIKES And The
BUSINESS OUTLOOK

"The public, which Is Interested IN
the even supply Of essential materials
and bears the cost of strikes, should
support the efforts Of the government
to settle the coal and railroad strikes,
and especially encourage the establish
ment of an adequate power for deal
ing with labor problems in the coal
field which car command the conf
dence and respect of both sides, &c.
clares the current issue of The Guar
anty Survey, published by the Guar
anty Trust Company Of New York.
'Thele IS a great opportunity in
this situation" the Survey continues,
"for leadership in the public interest.
With tie s. Ses by transportation
workers, it is quite different than
with the strike by the coal miners,
for in this field we have the machin-
cry for adjusting labor disputes In the
railroad labor board. Although the
board is without enforcing power, the
government cannot afford to permit
protests against its decisions serious
!. ly to impair the transfer of freight
and mails, and indications are that the
strikers only hope To put the carriers
} to a maximum amount of annoyance,
delay and expense without completely
/ stopping operation of the railways.
Disputes between employers and OPP
eratives in the New England textile
. mills are being gradually settled
through the return of the men to
/ work undeer reduced wage scales.
Notwithstanding the strikes, no.
$ table improvement occurred through
e out the spring in several important
lines. The fundamental needs Of our
Y country for goods Of all kinds are so
n strong and such consumption of COM
e modities is so great that industrial re-
d vival has taken place during the first
half of this year regardless of all lat
n ent uncertainties. These uncertain
ties, however, relate chiefly to the
policies and future burdens of govern
ment rather than to money rates,
stocks of commodities on hand, or the
consuming power of the public, and,
therefore, do not greatly influence the
business situation at times when buy
ers are convinced that the prices they
M must pay for goods will permit them
to make profitable purchases.
"There has been pronouncedly in
creased activity in the production of
automobiles ard railway equipment,
is in building, and in production of all
I'd building materials. This improve
ment has been accompanied by better
It, ment in many other lines, as is evil
dent from the unusually large number
he of freight cars loaded this spring with
lg commodities which come under the
ly merchandise and miscellaneous CLASH
m fications. Statistics of production
at generally show that, in spite Of tbs
It's dislocation caused by strikes, the vol
ly ume Of production of manufacture.
is has reached a point within 10 per cen
on of levels estimated as normal for tn,
lit present year..
d much forward buying probabl.
ne took place before the recent advance
in prices became effective, and this i
not the season for large commitment
by manufacturers unless prices ap
Ise pear particularly attractive. 1t is
of therefor, doubtful if the genera
a wholesale price level ha7 &c reache
ms the point which will check the buyin.
til Of those consumers whose wants ar
hts still unsatisfied. Consequently, tn
is temperance of the major dOwnwar
not swing of prices, which is indicated b
of a longtime view i0f affairs, need nc
ion be anticipated Immediately, in spite G
the fact that important reduction
an in the prices of several raw material
lis and finished products were announce
for in July.
con the whole, we can look forwar
when the strikes have been settled,
ost a broadening of the business reviv
II to include a larger number of indu
on tries and we may even see a furth'
Tor considerable improvement if we hay
ne goDd crops, as forecasts indicate, ma
NIL keted at fair prices. The influenti
re- conditions at present are the fund.-
are mental requirements of consumer
oe who will buy when prices are RICH
oys low money rates and a plentif
supply of banking capital; the liqui
laee alton CT most of the excessive stocl
up- Of goods and of many old hans; Il
lple attainment of nrica readiustuents a,
us a large degree Of staDiiizaticn in ge
oe- eral conditions.
However, continued labor troubl
would unsettle business conditions
such an extent that further reviv
may be deferred. Owing to the lar
stJcks of coal on hand when the stri
@A~ - .1-~ 49, - al 8.
shortage has only recently begun
appear in scattered industries, but
c;f;c prolongation of the strike, it is fear'
may produce a serious deficiency
- coal next winter, especially as a lar
movement of coal will tax the caps
10 ity of the railways and may car
adlSr new congestion of traffic. Lack
coal IL lfnadv hamnorsno orodupti