Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-29
BY j. C. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, April 29.-'Men want
ed" signs are being plastered on rae
tory gates all over the United states.
Industrial plants are adding to their
forces in a score Of localities, and in
some trades there is a positive short
age of skilled and semi-skilled labor
Nor is unskilled labor a. drug on the
market. Unemployment is decreas-
ingly rapidly, except in the coal mines
and in the cotton mills, which are az
fected by labor troubles. and in some
localities American Legion officials
have declared that there is job at
living wage for every ex-servlce man
who wants one.
However marked as the revival In
business and industry has been; 1T mas mas
payments of debts. the sale OF long.
held commodities. the cleaning up OF
old stocks of goods. the writing on OF
high-priced inventories ana Slmllar
liquidation incident to a return OF
business stability has released flood
Of capital, the greater part OF which
has not yet turned back into the chan-
nels of commerce. trade and mahufac-
ture.
Trading Continues Cautious.
Having taken their losses, paid their
debts and gotten back to a sound
basis, merchants. manufacturers,
business men and farmers are pro-
ceeding cautiously. They are ex-
banding only when demand makes
it both safe and necessary. Then,
too, the lowering Of prices and costs
makes it possible to finance operations
on less capital than in the boom years;
AS consequence. well informed
bankers. financiers and business men
in widely separated sections of the
country predict at least two years
more Of easy money" Capital will
be available at low interest rate to
finance legitimate enterprises for at
least two years to come, they say.
The present business situation has
passed the danger point: Business,
they are confident. will continue
its steady, healthy Improvement, but
il is running into an era Of conserva-
tive operation and small but certain
profits.
Demand for Securities.
In the meantime. until commerce
and industry shall require it. holders
of capital will continue to turn to the
investment security field to keep their
money working. Investment bankers
exnect the demand for sound bond
issues to be sustained for many
months. The sole fear Of the thought
full financiers is that the desire to get
their money to working and possibly
to recoup past losses will turn this
idle money into speculation rather
than investment.
The railroads are preparing for q
rnsh of business, both passenger ant
freight, before the summer is over.
They are buying Thousands OF new
cars and locomotives and other equip
ment. Steel production is growing
With demand, and plants are running
at what would have been above ca,
pactty in prewar years. This adoeo
production has been accompanied oy
increases in price.
Sales Are Inereasing.
Iron ore is commencing to move in
larger quantities, and. the copper
properties in the north and west are
rapidly getting back to production,
after long months Of inaction. Sales
of motor cars and trucks are 1ncreas-
ing everywhere, and there Is prom
Use Of q shortage of BODIES ana parts
her and tire plants are gaining their
share of. this, new business anu are,
steadily enlarging productions.
The lumber orders have not Slack
ened in spite of bad weather. which
has delayed building operations In
many sections, and prices are strong
and with a higher tendency.
The early crops are coming on the
market in the south, southeast and
southwest, are bringing excellent
prices and are adding to the retail
buyine power Of largeN body OF
Farmers. Wool prices are up and
give evidence Of going higher.