Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-20
The statistician sees promises of
general improvement in increase
of emDlOyment

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass,
June 17.-With the news full of
strikes, threatened strikes and labor
unrest, Roger w. Babson, statisti-
clan, to-day issued the following
statement regarding general indus
trial situation:
For some time" said Mr.. Bah
son, business in the east has been
reviving. Were it not for the tex
tile and other strikes in New Hamp-
shire, Massachusetts, and Rhode
Island, business conditions in New
England, New York state, and Penn.
sylvania would be very good today.
During the past year, the central
west has been the weakest spot in
the business situation. The abrupt
drop in the price Of grains, live
stock, and other farm products
left the agricultural sections of our
country in a very bad condition.
You will remember the farmers con-
ference at Washington and various
forms of aid enacted by congress
and different state legislatures.
1.-THE rise in agricultural products,
however, which occurred a few
months ago, accompanied by the
good weather conditions of the past
few weeks, has made the farmers
feel very much better. Reports
which I am receiving from CORE
spondents in the west are truly en-
couraging. This applies not only to
the agricultural districts but also to
the mining and lumber business.
Even the automobile industry, which
is such a factor throughout Ohio
and Indiana. is feeling much more
encouraged. Of course, the union
coal fields are quiet, but the non
union 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 bet
ter feeling throughout the west and
south is reflected by the improve
ment in the business of the mail or
der houses. The customers of the
mail order houses are largely in the
rural districts. 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, ster-
ling exchange is much stronger. Al
though it may be only a temporary
movement, the whole foreign situa-
ton looks better than it has looked
for some time. Private advices tell
me that settlement is being ap-
preached between Germany, Eng
land, and France, regarding the
German Preparations. If this is so,
it should be distinct impetus to bust
ness, both by causing Europe to
buy from this country and giving
this country confidence to loan Eu-
rope. Although no change has tax
en- place in the Russian situation
during the past week, yet signs
even in Russia are favorable at the
moment. For the first time in many
years, things look encouraging in
Europe.
1.-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. It is be-
lieved that mills will have all the
men. they desire after the Fourth
of July. Another factor helping the
mill situation is the fact that many
of the dissatisfied employees are
getting positions elsewhere. There
is considerable demand for common
labor today. Many of the striking