The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-01

bombers destroyed amounts 10
more than the property loss caused
by the bombers. The Multiplica-
tion Table. as well as the Ten Com
mandments, is bound TO be a factor
in bringing this war to an end. but
when? The blockade-however-
is becoming an important factor,
but blockading takes time whether
against Germany or Japan.
Uprisings May Come
All of this means that the only
hope of bringing World War ii 20
an end during 1912 is an uprising
of the Germans, Japanese, and
Italians. or of the people of the
conquered nations, or OF the people
of Great Britain, or Of the United
States. To have the people of
any of these countries quit and
go on a "sit-down strike would
bring the war TO an end. ! can
visualize this taking place some
time after 1912; but cannot visu-
alize II as coming about in 1912.
In this connection let me remind
readers of what / said last Janu-
airy regarding the destruction Of
crops and fuel supplies during
1912. Therefore, | say that there
will be no peace in 1912; that many
non-defense industries will be de-
pressed throughout 1912; and that
business as a whole has already
seen its peak. The war may even
last two or more years after 1912,
two months before it ends no one
will foresee the end.
Real Estate viii Hold Firm
Prices of farm lands should
strengthen during 1912. Farmers
will be more prosperous. The only
investment which farmers know is
land. Many will be so foolish as to
again get land poor as they did fol-
lowing World War l. There also
will be some purchasing of small
farms as initiation hedges. II looks,
however, as if-other than in de-
Tense areas-the small home" in
dustry has about reached its peak
and will begin to slump off in
1912.
Ordinarily this should result in
increased rents and an increased
demand for houses already built.
1t must be remem bered, however,
that where a third of the workers
will have more wages and want TO
move into better houses, two-thirds
OF the workers will have no wage
increases. Many will have wage
decreases: Some will see their ex.
penses so increased that they will
be looking for cheaper homes as
well as for cheaper cars. Readers
who have real estate which they
would like to sell should make
strong effort to sell it during 1912
at least sell enough to get out of
debt.
What About Retail Trade?
Merchants in the defense areas
should have good year. | am not
so hopeful for those outside de-
tense areas. Certainly, the num-
Der of sales will be smaller al
though the total gross may hold
up. Expanding the draft age may
have a dampening effect on retail
trade later in the year. The new
draft call may also cut the labor
supply of many industries. Black
outs are another factor in retard-
ing consumer buying. Hence, mer-
chants should increase ADVERTISING
appropriations If they expect a good
year in 1912, / advise merchants
TO keep down expenses: avoid wage
increases; and get out OF debt. II
someone else offers your employees
more money than you are now
paying, let him have such. After
the war they will come back to Won
glad to work for less money than
you are now paying. Don't specu-
late in merchandise. Keep well
stocked on standard goods, but
avoid style goods which are hard
to carry over. Initiation is with us
and is gradually increasing prices
at the rate of from 1915 per cent a
year. Legislation can check ii,
but 1t can no more stop initiation
than can legislation stop crime.
Remember that when the war stops,
1t will stop suddenly. Therefore,
merchants should keep close to
shore.
Residential Building VIII Decline
Residential building during 1871
increased, as year ago | forecast
ed 1t would increase. Hence. | do
not like to risk my good reputation
now in giving figure for 1912. /
believe, however. that rising costs,
scarcity OF certain materials and
the provoking way in which labor
has acted in hurting residential
building. Surely it will show no
increase in 1892 over 1871: while
| should not be surprised II 1t fell
back to- 1910 fgures,-possibly to
the extent of 10 to 15 per cent.
Public works and highways con-
struction will be less in 1912 than
in 1871. The building OF industrial
plants will continue in good vol
ume during the first six months.
Pleasure car production will be
cut so per cent. General export
trade, except for war purposes. will
also fall of. This will especially
be true in the Pacific due to ia
pans attack upon us. Remembed
that-as a rule-the curves for
residential building, auto produc.