The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-24
ROPER REPORTS
HEAVY CAIN IN
u. S. BUSINESS
Cites % Per Cent Increase
in Nations Industrial
Production.
BY MACK JOHNSON
United Press Stan Correspondent

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24-Sub-
stantial gains in the nations bust
ness. both foreign and domestic,
after four years of decline were
noted today in the annual report
of Daniel G. Roper. Secretary Of
Commerce
This advance was caused BY a
natural cycIcal' upturn augmented
by increased confidence IN the Ad-
ministratIons policies, the cabinet
member said in his survey, which
covered the past fiscal year ended
July l.
Gains in domestic business, he
pointed out. ranged from minimum
Of 10 per cent in electric power pro-
duction to almost 30 per cent in con-
StructiOn contract awards
of especial significance. Mr. Ro-
per added. is the gam Of approx
mately "a per cent in industrial pro-
ductlOn, % per cent in factory en-
ployment and 10 per cent in fac
tory payrOllS."
In addition, there was a sub
stantial increase IN agriculture in
come, decrease in commercial fail
ures and gains IN retail sales.
Stimulation of Industries
Although definite progress" in re-
duclng unemployment was reported,
Mr.. Roper said that the major solu-
ton of this problem lies in stimula-
ton of the durable goods industries.
which Is receiving increasing atten-
ton"
Roper asserted that statistics in
Dictated that 100000 more persons
were employed June 30, 1884. than
for the previous year, bringing the
total gain since March 4 1888 to
100000
Although production and distrlbu-
ton costs increased. there was an
upward trend in activity and an i'm
prOvement IN profits. the report said
II cited a report by 500 companies
which showed total profits of sl,4OO.-
600 900 an increase Of rs per cent
over the previous year.
Foreign Trade Heavier
Secretary Roper reported that for
eign trade expanded with a gain of
18 per cent in quantity and AZ per
cent in value of exports and an in
crease of 10 per cent in volume and
n per cent in value OF imports.
Roper listed the years financial
developments as dollar devaluatiOn
to 59O6 per cent of its former gold
parity; continuation of relief agen-
CieS on a large scale; reneWed-cOn-
fidence in the banking structure
and continued liquidation of bank
credit.
The report asserted that farmers
income and cash purchasing power
assembled sharply through the year
Cash income from farm marketing
tOtaIled 1924. 100000. and increase
OF 20 per cent over the previous
year
The report noted that railroad
traffic was higher although carriers
are still in a difficult financial po-
sition. Retail sales. Roper said,
which Jagged during the first phases
of the recovery movement. showed
a steady advance during the year.
LaudS Trade Program
Secretary Roper praised the Ad-
miniStratiOn'S trade reciprocity pro-
gram. which began last summer, as
a means of promoting foreign trade.
He said that negotiations are under
way with several other countries
for trade agreements after compile
ton of the treaty with Cuba.
The Secretary thanked the Bust
ness Advisory and Planning COun-
Gil for its cooperation with the De-
partment in formulating business
policies.
He asserted that the councils
committee on decentralization of in
dustry is working closely with Fed
eral organizations TO formulate a
policy statement by industry to eX-
pedite the governments work of
business approval and co-Opera-
ton"
Other council committees, he said.
which are working in close contact
with Federal authorities include So
cial legislation and cO-Ordinated
transportation system groups.