The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-01-02
BEHIND The
TICKER

NEW YORK In the top exeeu-
tive offices In the financial bust
ness and Industrial worlds. belief
is firm that the 1899 outlook is
promising
As a result Of letters. phone
calls. wires and personal CONVEX
sations. your correspondent feels
safe in reporting that business
viii average at least 20 per cent
better for the first SIX months OF
the new year.
Due TO the slack conditions that
ruled during the first half Of 1898
and since current business isn't
suffering from over-expansion. a
basis Is provided for the 1899 i'm
provement. And II isn't TO be
overlooked that the government
will spend some $1,000, O0o, 900 in
the next four months.
Washington adviees are that
because of the amiable action
of the National Association of
Manufacturers signifying an
intention TO cooperate with the
administration. business will
be less handicapped by politi-
cal developments during 1889.
The British-United States trade
pact has given exporters a feeling
Of optimism. They see sharp gains
over the whole year. This espe-
cially so. now, because of the IA
vorable results brought about by
Secretary Of State Hull at the
Lima, Peru, Pan-American confer
ence.
Retailers have shaped their plans
for the new year calling specific
ally for improved public relations.
Cooperation is evident in all parts
of the country between business
and labor. and between government
and business The psychology of
cooperation is felt everywhere.
Industrial centers are ex-
pected to show greatest inn
proyement. This will be par
ticularly 80 throughout the
Northeast. The Atlantic coast
il In line for increased shipping
due to Hul's trade pacts. The
central northern states will he
doomed by increased automo-
bile and steel industry activ-
tiles.
The south may be hurt somewhat
by the wage-hour law. But en-
ployment rolls will be larger,
which makes that part of the
country fertile for increased fin
ished products sales. The Pacific
coast is slated for business better
ment in the industrial. building and
agricultural industries.
From useful friends in merchan-
dising circles it was learned that
retail sales should run some 80
per cent ahead of 1888. OF course,
it must be taken into consideration
that during the first four to six
months of last year business as a
whole was at low averages. But,
in general, all merchandising and
selling will show improvement
through 1889.
mobile accessory, building. building
supply, machine tool, aviation and
steel industries will show the larg-
est average expansion. This due
to the government stimulated
home building drive, the armament
program and the public's demand
for new cars. Activity in these
industries spreads out to touch al
most all other industries.
The oil. chemical, utility, cleo
trical equipment. railroad equip
ment and textile Industries, too, are
in line for greater sales. In fact,
few industries-if any at all-will
not show improvement. AS a re-
suit, corporate revenues will be
higher all around That. in turn,
will be beneficial to stockholders
which means better securities
prices.
The foreign outlook is rs
follows: While the United
States Industrial index will act
strongly and point higher. the
European pohti'n huSN WIN
fluctuate around its recent
low point. The International
trade war may possibly be the
cause for 1889 world trading
market disturbance.
Summary: Business will run 20
per cent ahead of 1888; industrial
financial and agricultural activities
will be greater; better business
conditions will create higher COM
modify prices; corporate revenues
will be higher which will bring
about better stock market prices.
long-term low-coupon bonds will
be avoided-as is always the case
in good times; labor difficulties
will be evident only because OF
inter union arguments; domestic
political conditions will be friendly;
and. the foreign situation will be
constance irritant.
Copyright Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.