Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
DEPRESSION STORM
IS DECLARED OVER
Industries, in Slow Recovery,
Complain of Government .
Inquiries.

The storm of depression Is over. The
waves of business instability have fat
tened out. but business is not riding on
an even keel because a not inconsider-
able number of people-most of them
well meaning-insist on rocking the
boat. Some seem to resent the fact that
the storm has been weathered by fol-
lowing policies other than those they
recommended. At a time when all ought
to sit steady and row hard, some are
backing water and shouting conflicting
orders.
This is specially noticeable in WASH
ington where proposals for investigation
face many Of the industries which by
sound business policies have raised
themselves a trihe from the bottom
level. 1t Is not confined to these, how
ever. Some industries wallowing in the
| bottom of the ditch are recommended
for investigation, although obviously If
their policies had been nefarious and
successful, they would not be In the
ditch.
Have Firm FOOthoId.
In spite of these facts, the ma tority
OF the industries of the country have
found a sane and sound basis of opera
lions and are climbing back to prosper
ity from this first firm foothold.
Wrangles over unemployment are con-
slant, but unemployment Is growing
less every day although the over .opti-
mistic reports from some semi-govern-
mental sources make well informed sta
tisticians grin behind their hands
The farmers are hiring men and abb
sorbing good part of the drifting I'M
skilled laborers. The lakes have opened
and this means work on vessels and
docks, in mines and elevators and in
lumber mills all over the Northern Cen
trail States and in the mid-continent
coal mines. The steel mills are in
creasing production despite the threat
aimed at their dealings with the rail-
roads on the question of rail supply.
The sheet mills are responding to In
creased demand from the auto manu-
facturers and the latter are proceeding
on more sound basis of production
than at any time in their history. Rail-
roads are assured of increased ship
ments in most sections within the next
fortnight and this indicates better than
all else just how business is picking UP.
They know this for in most instances
the cars have been ordered spotted.
It is becoming increasingly apparent
that the four-system plan of railroad
consolidation in Eastern trunk line ter
ritory Is more than likely to be heart
lily Endorsed and that, with slight
amendments. it win go through. Al
though the filing of the petition to the
Interstate Commerce Commission NAV
not take place as soon as originally ex-
pected. 1t will indicate also a better
ing of conditions in the soft coal mines
and an improvement in service to all
shippers, resulting from dissipation OF
uncertainty.
Textile Industry.
The textile industry is doing well
and going to do better If it is not in
terfered with. For the time being the
non-ferrous metals show little perma-
, nent Improvements The shoe business
Is coming along in fine style and the
clothing industry, while not out of the
woods, Is at least out of the uuicksands.
The paint and chemical industry is
picking up in anticipation of the an
nual spring cleanup period. The whole
salerS are looking forward to the needs
OF the young men and women who viii
graduate or at least leave school in the
late Spring. The June brides alone will
wear over MILAN yards of bridal veil
Ing to say nothing of the yardsge of the
remainder of their costumes.
Building is getting under way. but n
not OF any extraordinary proportions.
The main construction activity is in
road building and paving, but the ce-
ment industry still is in a bad statistical
position.
Copyright, 1917