The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-12-28
BUSINESS SEES
GOOD PROSPECT
FOR next YEAR
Production and Distribution
Expected to Be in Line
With 1926 Records.
BY ELMER G. WALLER
United Press Financial Editor
(Copyright, 1927, by United PreSS)

steady rise rather than boom i'll
most lines. Very few utterances, as
the year turns, smack of recession
despite the approaching presidential
campaign.
| Automobile manufacturers, first OF |
all, look for exceptional improve |
ment with Henry Ford plants run
ming full time and other companies |
resuming operations at a record |
pace. Utility men expect increased |
output no matter which way other |
for the better with motor produc-
ton evening up the large scale out
put of crude oil; the copper bust
ness sees a year Of exceptional pros
perity with the price for the metal |
holding strong and demand increaS-
ing; mercantile establishments eX-
pect to profit by increased employ
ment; farmers look ahead to even |
better times than 1927 gave them;
steel makers are distinctly optimistic |
over the prospect of increased bust
ness at higher prices; and railroads |
hope for additional profits through |
heavier distribution and favorable |
legislation which would bring con-
solicitations and subsequent saving.
Coal Outlook Bad
About the only business which can
not be listed among those with IA
vorable outlook for 1923 is the coal |
trade. Conditions in the bituminou5 |
industry are lacking in anything |
which indicates improvement. There
is distinct falling off in demand |
and in the Pennsylvania section the |
mines are still in the throes of labor |
difficulties. Coal appears to be los
ing its prestige to increased use Of
electricity generated by water power.
Records were set in 1927 in the |
stock market with the public par
ticipating to the fullest. Present in |
dications point to continuance of
moderately easy credit which will
keep StocI 5 and bonds in urgent de-
mand. The United States, judging
from arrangements made by the
Stock Exchange, in 1928 will become
more and more a world market for |
securities and stocks.
Following is comment by leaders
i'll various fields of industry regard
ing the outlook for 1928:
Little Initiation
John J. Raskob, chairman finance
committee General Motors: "Ev-
erything indicates that 1928 will |
witness the greatest prosperity our
country has ever enjoyed. There is
little, If any, imitation anywhere. an
abundance of credit. great farm pur-
chasing power as a result of good |
crops and prices, and my prediction
is that with the Ford Motor Com
pany in production the automobile
industry will produce 100000 units |
in 1928 as against 100000 this year,
and this gain of about 40 per cent |
will add tremendous impetus to an
otherwise prosperous condition"
Alfred P. Sloan, president Cen
eral Motors: II see nothing except |
soundneSs in the general economic
situation. This, together with the
improved position of the agricultural
sections of the country. leads me to
believe that 1923 viii be a good year
for general business. Credit is
abundant and rates are low; in
ventories are low and. taking it all
in all, I am verey we'll satisfied as
to the outlook"
Retail Outlook Good
H. T. Parson, president F.. w. |
Woolworth Company: IT feel that
the retail business of this country
can look forward tn continued in |