Evening star., 1924-03-15
Babson Predicts Huge Trade
Growth Along Pacific Coast
Business in Southwest ahead Of Year
kAgo, He Reports-Suns Up Con-
ditiOns by States.

| is only slightly above. AS a whole
the price index of crops registers 6
loss of "a per cent compared with las
year.
Colorado--Metal mining fairly ac.
tive. Reports of Considerable pros.
| pecting for oil. Meat packing and
! other major Industries continue OF
about normal basis. Expectation OF
satisfactory program of building and
construction in the spring. Compar-
| ing present prices with last year
wheat is much lower, corn slightly
lower and hay aboHt the same. Pota-
toes. however show a large gain anG
bring up the price index of crops to
a level 4 per cent higher than las,
year.
Nevada - Metal mining outlook
somewhat improved. and railroad shop
| activity has slightly increased. High
way and construction. activities check
| ed by weather conditions, but should
be resumed on considerable scale in
the spring. Because OF the large in
creases in the prices of hay and po-
tatoes, the price index of crop shows
gain of AZ per cent over last year
Wheat and barley, however, are both
below last years level - g.
Utah-Railroad shop activity in
creasing. Industrial operations gen.
orally quiet, but curtailment less
tUdl III SOilt years. Iron
and steel plants on part time basis.
Outlook for building and construction
operations at fairly high level. The
nrice index of crop products is = per
cent higher than last year, due to the
large increases in the prices of po-
tatoes and oats. Both hay and wheat
are slightly lower than a year ago.
When considering the various op-
portunities of these states, one should
not overlook the great latent and un-
developed water power and irrigation
possibilities. Not only does manufac-
turing grow up among such powers,
but in their localities living should
ultimately be easiest and perhaps
most economical. 1t is estimated that
large proportion of the water pow
er resources of the country are in
the southwest. 1t is quite possible
that the Pacific coast states may lead
the world in the development and
application of hydro electric power.
With the tremendous output now
available or in prospect, this should
be one Of the most important ter
ritories for the sale of electrical
equipment, apparatus and supplies.
Marufacturers who have not al
for distribution ON the Pacific coast
should give the matter careful con-
sideration. Though l am discussing
the long swing rather than merely
the immediate future, it should
nevertheless be remembered that
those manufacturers who are fir st
to establish themselves in this field
will be in more favorable position
than belated competitors.
Little do the people of America
realize how rapidly the center of
business activity is moving westward
With the Atlantic ocean, the great
present-day artery of commerce, and
with New York our greatest seaport,
we are apt to forget the great
changes which are coming tomorrow
1t. however, will be only a que-tion
of time when the Pacific ocean will
carry three-quarters of the world
trade. and San Francisco will exceed
New York in wealth and population.
Los Angeles will probably be the Sec
end or third city in size in the Unit ed
States and the entire Pacific coast. is
destined to see great growth.
General business as reflected on
the Bahsonchart continues its side
wise movement at 2 per cent below
rorTnal.
Mr. BabSon. who is now At his winter home
in florida. will continue his special articles on
business and economic conditions in next Sat
urday's Star. - .