Evening star., 1935-12-23
LOSSESOF SLUMP
GONE, SAYSROPER
Whole National Economy Is
Better Balanced, Asserts
Secretary.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Announcing that American business
during 1885 has virtually wiped out
the net losses of depression years and
is completing its second year "of sus-
tanned recovery" Secretary of Com
merce Roper today sounded a cheer
full Christmas note in his annual re-
port.
Available evidence" Secretary Roper
reported, indicates that, as contrasted
with net business losses of $40 200, ,000,-
900 in 1882, and of $4,000, 100000 in
1884. the Nations net business losses
were almost completely eliminated"
during the fiscal year ended last June
80. The outstanding feature of the
year. Roper said, perhaps was the
better balanced relationship established
in our whole national economy, fol-
lowing the irregular Improvements
which characterized the preceding
year"
Estimating the national income for
the 1884 calender year at $49, ,440,-
900 ,000, an increase of S5,000,000.
900. or IL per cent over the preceding
year, Roper said:
AT the present time sufficient data
are available to estimate the current
trend of national income with reason
able accuracy. On the basis of these
data it is estiamted the national in
come paid out during the first half of
the calendar year 1885 was between
5 and 10 per cent higher than the
corresponding period of 1884,
Qualitative Changes Listed.
Outstanding qualitative changes"
In the 1885 fiscal year, which the
cabinet members said were compar-
able with its "quantitative gains" were
listed as:
1. Further improvement in the
agricultural industry.
2. Signs of revival in capital-goods
industries, notably residential con-
struction.
8. Widespread improvement in con-
sumer purchasing.
T. A better balanced price structure,
with farm products and raw materials
advancing. and prices of finished
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changed.
5. An improved banking structure
capable of meeting all credit demands
g. Reopening of capital markets to
the flow of funds. although refunding
issues have predominated,"
T. A strong bond market.
8. Considerable improvement in the
zeal estate field.
Weak Spots Strengthened.
ITO summarize" Roper continued,
"the year brought strengthening of
many weak spots in the national econ
omy and laid a basis for further
progress toward satisfying the vast
accumulation of needs which had
been built up during the depression
years"
Roper cited increased activities of
the Patent Office, which for a hun
dred years has been an accurate reflex
of economic and industrial conditions"
as "betokening general improvement
in business"
His report named railroads as the
sole major industry failing to share
in the general upturn.
While passenger traffic improved
with the upward trend of income, and
with the efforts made by the carriers
to stimulate this business through
the use of improved equipment and
fare reductions" he said, "the volume
of freight traffic, upon which the main
reliance for revenues is placed. failed
to expand. The number of cars
loaded was slightly less than in the
preceding fiscal period. and was but
10 per cent above the depression low
registered in the fiscal year 1888"
Consumers Buy More.
At the other end of the scale Roper
placed the automobile industry, with
production up one-fourth, leading a
general rise in consumers durable
goods.
Consumer expenditures for the pur-
chase of new passenger automobiles" s."
Roper reported, were estimated to
have been 81 per cent larger last
year than in the preceding period,
and more than double those of two
years earlier"