The Coolidge examiner. [volume] (Coolidge, Ariz.) 1930-current, 1939-01-26

world, no perma lent rest for the
nerves of the troubled billions who
inhabit it, so long as this is true.
Coming home to our own country
1888 opened with business declin-
ing on every hand, and with de-
preston deepening. At the years
end, one Of the sharpest improve
ments in business in our history
was registered over period or
five months, and the immediate
prospects favor a continuation Of
this trend. Some Of the grave diff
ferences between Observation-Disclosures
and the National Administration
seem to be nearing reconcilement.
The inevitable deduction to be
made from the important off-year
elections in November is that the
thinking of the electorate Is turn
ing toward the conservative side.
Spokesman for manufacturing in
dustry publicly express confidence.
All this is highly encouraging. 1t
gives great cause for hope that a
depression a decade long may be
at last nearing its end. But, even
though this is true, it would be
folly to overlook, or to under
estimate, the many vital and un-
settled problems that the Ameri-
can people still face.
Our largest single industry, rail
reading. finds its condition grow
ing steadily worse. Better business
during recent months has naturally
resulted In some increase in rail-
road traffic. But the basic diff
ficulties facing the lines-rate
problems, excessively stringent
regulation. heavy taxation, and
direct and indirect subsidization
by government of their principal
competitors - remain the same.
There can be no real prosperity In
America so long as an industry
which spends million a year for
supplies in normal times, which
employs hundreds of thousands or
well-paid workers. and on which
we depend for the transportation
of the great bulk of the products
Of our farms and factories, can
look forward to nothing save In
creasing deficits.
The political problems effecting
the public service industries are
similarly unsolved. There has been
much talk, for instance, Of "ac-
cords" and cancellations" whereby
the Federal Government would
modify it's sociahzation program Of
substituting publicly-owned gas and
electric systems. But there has been
no definite action. Such agencies as
the IVA continue their astounding
policy of refusing thirdparty arbi-
tration Of the prices to be paid for
private properties they wish to
purchase, and to hold the threat Of
building duplicate plants and trans
mission lines over the heads of
utilities which refuse to sell at
prices which would entail serious
losses to their bond and stock
holders. AS result, utility spending
remains at low ebb and this great
industry, which could do so much
toward revitalizing America, must
mark time, while it's owners and
workers wonder what an unpre-
dictable future will bring.
A cloud Of price-boosting legisla-
ton hangs over that field in which
the consumer Is most directly in
volved: retail distribution. The
mass distribution agencies of the
nation, which have made such
notable strides in reducing costs
of almost every necessity and
luxury of life, are under attack.
Should theseagencies be destroyed,
as some extremists in Congress and
elsewhere seem to desire, the effect
will be to reduce the standard of
living of every one Of those millions
Of families to which the budget
problem is an ever-present worry.
Here. then, is another great issue,
directly affecting US all, that must
be settled before national stability
can become a fact instead of a
hope.
The related problems of debt,
taxation and fiscal policy are like
wise a drag on progress. Though
We are now carrying the heaviest
tax burden in our history, the ma
tional debt goes steadily higher
Investors are frightened, money
needed for industrial expansion can