The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-11-13

is a large body of work in sight
Prices of material have been declining
which is significant either of increases
production declining demand, an'
| probably due in part to each. The in
| dications are that there will be it'll
or no unemployment in the building
trades next year, even though tn
| present scale of wages is maintained
providing bonus payments are elimin
ated, which will be the case general,
If projected work falls off.
From January | to October | tn,
railroads placed in service l34,636 new
freight cars and 1908 locomotives. anc
have large orders for both in process.
OF execution. Notwithstanding thes,
additions there is authority for tn,
statement that six leading companies
are now negotiating for $4,000 freight
cars and Locomotive orders on a liber-
al scale are yet to be given. Hydro
electric development promises to be
on large scale, the high cost of coal
being a stimulative factor.
The buying power of the wage-earn-
ing population at present is large and
often referred to. but this is an I'M
certain factor, depending of course up
on employment. This element is only
partially self-sustaining. The fluctua-
tons in prosperity are mainly due to
fluctuations in the volume of construc-
ton work. This is an independent
factor, dependent largely upon indus
trial conditions and the probable re-
turn upon capital invested The buy
ing power of the farming population
is another important factor. 1t has
been below normal since 1920, but is
rising. Live stock is depressed, owing
to great offerings on the markets. ex-
ceeding past records, but on the whole
If the calculations of the Department
OF Agriculture may be accepted, the
income OF the farmers should be larg-
er from the crop now harvested than
from any since 1920.
Foreign Trade
The foreign trade situation is en-
oouraging. Our total exports for the
nine months ended with September
were S2,94l .0l7.138. against S2,736,73l,-
o92 in the corresponding months of
last year. 1t is true that our imports
in the same time have increased still
more, /. C.. from S2,207, 556,O52 last
year to S2,905,602 500, but this has been
mainly in raw materials and non-com-
petitive goods, the demand for which
has increased by reason of the revival
OF our industries and increased pros
perity.
Although our exports of food-stuffs
to Europe have dropped much below
the tgures of the war time, they have
not fallen below the pre-war figures.
Our exports of grain have fallen off
IN the present year, as a result of in
creased production in Europe, but in
he nine months ended with September
our total exports of meats have in
'reased from 58l, los, 482 pounds in
9zz to 7ss,208,237 pounds in 1928.
There is good basis for the opinion
nat It our wheat production was Drop
'ed to about what it was before the
var our surplus of agricultural pro-
lucts would not be troublesome. the
'oll-weevil having done much to re-
'eve us of such embarrassment as TO
otton. There is tendency for our
xports to increase outside of Europe
We are furnishing larger share of
ne imports of Latin America than be-
ore the war, and thus far in the pres
mt calendar year our exports to those
ountries have increased 80 per cent
yer 1922. If Europe does not buv our
aw materials for conversion into
GODS to ship around the world. as
the past. we will manufacture and
III them ourselves. In short, we are
ourselves to new conditions
nd while recognizing the danger OF
citing upon level OF costs above
countries. the fact remains
lat as yet we seem to be able to hold
ar own.
The Credit Situation
In nearly all discussions Of the con-
tons having to do with the business
'cle, economists have given first i'm
'rtance to the credit situation. The
'ing trend of activity and prices
arts with an easy state of credit and
inmates when the available supply
exhausted; then as prices begin to
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