Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-12


ciated is proceed
ing on this basis-that there is going
| to be a general revival of trade. Not
only are there indications pointing in
| that direction but there are some
evidences that recovery already Is
setting in.
We cannot predict with any assurance
when this will reach a restoration of
full prosperity. If we were able to
make an exact determination of bust
ness trends over q future period we
would be so closely in charge of all the
governing factors of trade that clogged
markets, depressions and unemployment
no longer would be bogies.
AS far as I know, about the only
thing we can forecast without exercis-
ing control over it Is the weather and
that for only few days ahead. Even
there we sometimes find a downpour
when we expect pleasant day.
Task Of Industry.
Our immediate task, as see 1t, is for
each industry to make the best contri-
button 1t can toward a resumption of
eventually complete business and indus
trial recovery will come. The problem
Is to bring 1t about as quickly as posi-
BILE, and 1t is not q solution to stand
by idly and predict and await returning
prosperity merely because prosperity
always has been restored after a slump
Radio has been an important factor
in the gratifying business conditions
that prevailed for a number of years
prior to last Autumn. But in some
respects, radio does not afford a normal
or average example of an American
industry. 1t Is still new. It has been
moving rapidly over a period of eight
or ten years in an endeavor to get the
utmost of public value out of a new
scientific discovery, the transmission
of sound through space.
Improvement has followed improve
H1ent, and almost every year product
has been offerd by different radio
manufacturers so superior to old de-
vices that an abnormal obsolescence has
been created. This has meant the
employment of many new men, and it
has meant an expended market for
many other industries.
National prosperity is always slim
ulated by the creation of new and
useful arts. But In many instances
these. have been built upon the foun-
dations or over the ashes of some
competitive but no longer serviceable
industry.
Radio did not destroy any other
great industry. 1t stimulated and gave
new Ugor to those businesses which
might be regarded as its nearest COM
petitors. It brought into existence the
practical talking moving picture and
It contributed new methods Of record
ing that revitilized talking machine
industry.
OF course, radio has made its rapid
strides because the public has been re-
ceptive and able to buy its products.
We anticipate a continuation of that
ability. We have set about to con-
tribute in every way possible toward
resumption of business by beginning
full scale production operations our
selves.
Back to Work" Movement.
The r. C. A. Victor Co. has centralized
its manufacturing activities at Camden,
N. j., where that municipality inaugu-
rated back to work" movement,
which it was hoped would be of en-
couragement to other industrial areas
and general stimulus to business
throughout the United States.
In many other industries new lines
of products are now being offered new
models are being placed on tile market
and there is much evidence that in.
creased trade activity is anticipated
during the remainder Of the Autumn
and the Winter months. Programs are
being enlarged and extended.
In radio, the recent world series
acted as a stimulant for sales, and
the congressional campaign which is
now in progress, and which probably
more than any previous campaign in
the history of American politics is be-
| ing carried on by radio, has also been
responsible for increased radio activ-
| tiles.
There are always many remedies sug-
gested whenever business shows q slight
| falling of, and when the depression
has been of real duration those who
wish to offer a diagnosis and suggest
| cure are much more numerous. / de
not minimize the importance of this
| kind Of discussion. 1t Is only by the
application of a great deal of effort
and by much thought that the problem
of removing these pronounced drops in
business can be solved.
Certainly every industrial leader in
the United States should consider at
this time whether his own business
has been conducted in a manner that
| would contribute to the general stabil-
! ity of the national economic structure
If 1t has not, very likely it has not
been conducted in a manner that will
yield the best results over sustained
period Of operation.
Service Of Radio Industry.
There is a great deal of difference
between sound thinking and idle dis
cussion. There has been a great deal
of talk by professional optimists, who
usually are amiable but indiscreet, and
by professional pessimists who very
frequently are purposeful and who seek
to profit by the thorns they SOW. These
two groups make no contribution, either
in periods of prosperity or of stress
They trail, and should, in the rear Of
the marching column.
The substance of the United States
and its reliance in periods of economic
readiustment are the workers, whether
they be artisans or executives, who have
the energy to attempt and the courage
and determination to go ahead. Business
cannot succeed by being timid. 1t should
not be shaken or misled either by the
misgivings of the professional bear" OF
the misleading Of the professional
bull"
AS for the ultimate service Of tht
radio industry, have q profound belief
chat the full story of radio development
, has not been unfolded. We canno
! forecast the future In mere terms Of
! new equipment and new devices. How
futile 1t would have been to attempt
!, this 10 years ago. New agencies fol
home entertainment, new Instrumental