San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-18
|siness Conditions Enter
Critical Stage Of Read
justment Period.
BE CAR SHORTAGE
;aster Ahead If Initiation
Continues, Says
Official.
Nv HARDIN COLFAX,

Eight, by The San Antonio Light.
Washington, ID. c., Feb. 17.--Bus-
IS conditions have entered upon the
b critical stage of the readjustment
od, in the opinion of Commerce
artment and other government Of
his here who are watching with
e uneasincss, the rapid expansion
Industry and the increasingly up
d swing of prices.
4 would suggest TO business men
they keep cool, make sure of
| facts, refrain from snap Judg-
t and hold their profits TO reason
figures" Julius NJ. Klein, di-
Tor of the Bureau of Foreign and
nestle Commerce, told this CORE
|ndent today. There is danger
lad If we 90 too fast. 1t is en-
|ly possible for business to run
a period of initiation which would
disastrous. =,
Id do not believe we have reached
point yet where initiation is Sc
lis danger, but We are headed IN
II direction. We should sit steady
not rock the boat"
Car Shortage Imminent.
n making this statement, Dr:
lin had before him a summary OF
|eral conditions which showed the
lowing outstanding features:
prospect of car short
of serious proportions within the
t 60 days.
becond-A survey of general price
|ditions showing a gradual rise,
ling back to last October, and IN
he cases still further. in the prices
almost everything in widespread
including farm products.
Chird-A general expansion, par
|,larly noticeable within the past
lee or four months, in the volume
materials produced and in the num-
of orders taken. Lumber pro-
ers. for instance, report orders for
|. OOO, 900 board feet more than they
h this time a year ago and iron
h steel producers are reported as
willing to take further orders for
r~sry sooner than the fourth quar-
of the year.
Shortage Of Labor.
increasing shortage OF
bor. coupled with rapidly rising
ae scales. In the last named in
nee, officials believe, there may
the inception Of the wind which
" develop into the whirlwind. The
esent period of increased activity
all the makings, it is pointed
of another vicious spiral of prices
II as occurred in 1918 and 1919,
th increased wages, increased pro-
rtion costs and increased prices ro-
ing around one another to a dizzy
.ght. ..
I'VE should take every precaution
ainst too rapid a rise in prices, J"
. Klein states. There is no way
|, government could police the situa-
n and it is extremely doubtful II
would be wise for the government
do so, even if it could"
I. What should be done?" DR.. Klein
s asked.
sThc government can only suggest.
is not up to the government, how
,r, but TO the business interests OF
, country, to prevent runaway mar
Is. ANY runaway is dangerous 10
,rybody in its path.
Must Curb Profits.
y Many business men are thinking
ing these lines today and l have
doubt will practice self restraint
the matter Of profits and in other
alters to prevent runaway markets.
several lines there are potentiall-
9 for n runaway markst.. The Situa-
n must be kept in hand by the
aness men concerned"
Me railroads have seldom, If ever
en- called upon to haul so large q
lume of freight at this season OF
I year. The number of cars loaded
th freight. says the American Rail-
~ Association. continued to run
heavy for this season OF the
ar, exceeding by considerable mar
, the corresponding week in pre-
rus years"
As to the prospective car shortage
inion is divided. The railroad Off
lis themselves place the current net
ortage at less than AZ 900 ears.
officials are less op-
nistic. They fear that most unusual
all car shortages, n big shortage
the spring. II has been years since
AT season has recorded such situa-
= rT,L Lr,uJ;nn ham, 70 IL u1ntn-