The Washington times., 1925-01-07
CADILLAC CHIEF
PRASES.U.S.
BUSINESS
Says Farm Prosperity lndi-
Gates Country Is In Healthy
Condition
By H. H. RICE
President and general manager
Cadillac Motor Car Company

1 ONAAAAssS NAVUAtA OcsA SVauAPeAAAS
Regardless Of political affiliations
or personal preferance, business
men generally feel that the recent
national election tends to stability
and so that sort OF healthy progress
which results form knowing that
the main factors which affect
economic conditions are not likely
to be changed radically.
Whether engaged in manufactul
ling or commerce, the business man
can very largely adapt himself to
whatever conditions he may have
to meet; but uncertainty in business
Is one Of the chief deterrents to
healthful activity.
Business Is Stable.
1t is hard, for example, to
transact a satisfactory volume of
current business and TO plan for
the future when foreign exchange
Is nuctuating; and the same is true
II the tariff and laws governing
business transactions are constantly
changing. With the presidential
election out of the way, business
has struck q new note of confidence
and there seems to be an almost
universal opinion that the roads is
clear for period OF marked
prosperity. &
From the political standpoint,
the removal OF the threat Of public
ownership has also restored con-
fidence to our railroad organizations
and to many other public utility
corporations, with resulting plans
for replacements, improvements
and expansions in the near future.
AS economic conditions in other
parts of the world have a direct
effect here, putting the Dawes plan
into operation in Europe is re-
establishing confidence there and
viii soon give overseas nations the
means to purchase American prod.
ucts in larger voume.
In the present situation are many
other elements which make a sound
roundation Tor genuine prosperity.
Farm Prosperity Rules.
With the increased valuation Of
farm products, money is flowing
into the agricultural States, and
when the farmers, who make up
one-third Of our population, are
prosperous, it is impossible for the
rest Of the country to be otherwise
Our farm population is today in
|
during the past five years, and in
the next eighteen to twenty months
will represent an important part OF
the country's buying power.
One OF the most healthful signs
Is the constant increase of savings.
The attitude OF the average indi-
vldual is much more encouraging
from a money standpoint than it
was in the postwar boom few
years ago. Employment conditions
are good. but the wage Garner,
like the business man, during the
past five years has learned Inn
portant lessons in thrift. and thrift
is one of the first safeguards OF
continued prosperity.
Most OF our large industries have
Tor some time been running well in
hand. Manufacturers have been
measuring production by consump.
ton. As a result, dealers stocks
throughout the country are rela-
lively low. Any increase in con.
sumner demand must be almost i'm,
mediately reflected in increased
manufacturing; and consumer de-
mand Is very good right now. There
is also plenty of evidence from a
survey Of general conditions both
at home and abroad that general
business is due for a further marked
Improvement.
Feels Trade Pulse.
The automobile business will
share and perhaps lead in this ad-
vance. In measuring business con-
ditions, we are all inclined to look
through our own glasses. Here at
Cadillac, we get direct daily con-
tact with the whole field through
our distributors and dealers. They
know their own local conditions
and what volume Of sales they can
reasonably expect in the future.
In estimating the position OF in
dustry generally, and particularly
Cadillac's position, we feel condi-
dent that the very excellent busi-
ness which we are now enjoying
will continue and that we shall
enter the spring with a still fur
ther increased demand for our
product.