The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-09-03
by Roger W. Babson

lean men. This goes for the exec
utive group, the workers, the farm
ers and the small-town business
man. For downright ability and
a knowledge OF business practice,
learned the hard way, this latter
group is tops. Most heads of
our leading corporations, indus
tries and churches came from the
smaller cities and towns. Hart
ford. where | am today. is filled
with them. have been much i'm
terested in watching the tremen-
dous crowds Of all types as they
leave their offices and factories at
the end OF the day. All are tied
into the immediate outlook for
business.
Industrial Activity
Since our participation In the
war the production OF raw ma
terlals and manufactured goods
has centered in ornaments and
foodstuffs. The latest available
monthly figures show $1,O69, 00O,-
| 900 in merchandise exported
abroad. This Is double the amount
for the same month of last year.
/ should not be surprised to see
even higher figures year hence
although the character of goods
to be shipped may change. When
Germany Is brought to her knees,
the rehabilitation of Europe, pat
termed after what is now going on
in North Africa. should mean con-
tinued industrial activity in the
United States on a high level.
The outlook on steel, coal. oil
and farm products may be well
maintained. Gold production, now
practically at a standstill. should
rise sharply. The accumulated de,
mand for civilian goods must be
met. The general public is most
I ~ out of debt and has at Its COM
mand an extremely large volume
of buying power. This is prob
ably in excess Of $50,000,000,000.
Thus. from foreign and domestic
requirements. the outlook for gem
eral industrial activity seems fay-
orable.
Employment
President Roosevelt has already
announced the Administrations
plans for the care and employment
OF returning service men. These
are in rough form now and must
/ finally be approved by Congress.
/ However, the intent is plain.
Through jobs, subsidies, or schools,
these men will have an opportun-
/ ity to re-orient themselves to civ
/ ilian life and work. Employment
I has now reached a peak Of $1,000
600 persons. This is 6,500,000
more than the nations peacetime
labor force.
Employment OF ablebodied men,
in one form or another. should
continue for some years. 1t is
obvious that temporary slump
may occur Immediately after the
war; but following this short post
war readjustment period. some
kind of employment should be
available for all men who want to
work. Considering foreign moe
tition In manufacturing after the
war. We simply cannot afford to
maintain an unemployed male
group Of any size. What Will
happen to the women do not
know.
Agriculture
What with victory gardens and
chicken raising, more people than
ever before are getting a taste
of farm problems il in only the
simplest OF terms. Many city and
suburban folks have raised too
many vegetables this summer.
Hence. they have become acquaint-
ed with SURPRISES. Those with
chickens in the backyard are hav-
ing a little difficulty in getting
feed. Grain is both high and
scarce. Thus. those amateurs &C
quire a knowledge Of scsrclties.
incidentally. on farms alone,
chicken production is up 1e per
cent over year ago.
We shall have continued need
for sometime for all that can be
produced from the soil. This goes
for poultry. beef, produce and
grain. Total food production for
1913 will be only about 10 per
cent above the record high OF 1912.
Output Of livestock and allied prod
ucts is high. but these are being
offset by smaller crop yields. The
Administration has underway a
definite program TO increase food
production next year. We are
harvesting 54,O00,0OO acres of
wheat this year. Next year Wash
ington wants to see 6S,00O,OO0 &C
res under cultivation.
Retail Trade
/ Retail trade has been excellent.
The last six months OF the year
may show a decline in volume COM
pared with a year ago. This could
amount to as much as 90 per cent.
Considering the overall picture,
it is nothing for retailers TO worry
about. In terms OF dollar volume,
retail trade has been advancing
for the past three years. There
is such a backlog OF funds In the
pockets OF individuals that as new
and additional consumers goods
heroine available most efficient re-