The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1949-12-29
Babson Forecasts Slight Decline In
Total Volume Of Business.
During 1850; Sees Military Gain
SuYs World War III
Will Not Come
During Ensuing Year

| -,H~ : ~ $500 -. : -
By Roger w. Rabson
1850 IN A NUTSHELL
General busineSS-off. So
National income-off SO.
Farm income-off 15%.
BituminouS coa-up SO.
Anthracite-off SO.
Crude oil products--up So
Steel output-off 5%.
Automobile manufactures
$50. ~,
building and construction
off To.
Natural gas-up 5%.-
Foreign trade-No change.
Airline passenger miles-up
So.
Military activities including
aircraft-up 200.
Retail trade Is Yolume)-on
1870 to 1922
t. l.. The total volume of busin-
ess for 1850 will be less than.
that of 1949, due primarily to
the unfortunate labor conflicts
Considering that the innocent
consumer will be the chief SUI
ferer and will be obliged to pay
the bills, it seems too bad that
labor troubles should upset the
applicant.
Labor Outlook
2. Even with, all the threats,
there will be few wage increas-
es during 1850. On the other
! hand, all labor negotiations
take the minds of both the en-
ployees and the management
off their regular business. How
ever these negotiations come
out, they result in a loss from
the standpoint of the country
as a whole.
3. There will be fewer strikes
in 1850 than in 1949, but there
will not be fewer extended ne
gotiations which are very eX-
pensive in themselves.
4. The Taft-HartleY Law will
continue to stand throughout
1850. although many schemes
for detouring this law will be
devised. 9s
S. The great drive against the
big companies will be for PEN
sions and/or for sick and other
benefits. These will probably
be helpful to the wageworkerS
and may aid in ironing out the
business cycle, but they will be
paid for by consumers. :
6. It is hoped that all par
ties will begin to realize during
1850 that the real road to ma
tional progress is through in
creasing production and great
er efficiency. This is the bright
light we see in the labor situa-
ton. ~
Commodity Prices
Z. Movements in commodity
prices during 1850 will vary
with different groups of indus
together there will be a gener-
al lowering during 1850.
s. We, therefore, advise 60
ing easy on inventories. 1850 is
a time to get out of. debt, and
stay out of debt. Speculation
in commodities should be dis
couraged in 1850.
8. We believe that the cost
of living index has turned
down for the present. The aV--
erage for 1850 will be less than
for 1949.
10. Practically all retail prte-
es will average less in 1850
than in 1949, Notwithstanding
the excess of money mentioned
under 81, % and 20 below.
Farm Outlook -'~
The total farm income for 1850
should be less than that of
1949, which means lower prices
on the average for wheat, corn,
pork, poultry, eggs and certain
dairy products. Farmers should
diversity more in 1850, get out
of debt and put their surplus
money into savings, in; prepara-
ton for the next crop failure.
/ IL. The supply of certain
canned vegetables and fruits
(eX"ept citrus) should be great
er during 1850 than at the same
time during 1949. The prices of
these products should fall off,
barring some weather during
1850 with nrices averaging less
THAN in 1949.
IA. Farmers will continue to
work to hold present subsidies.
1t is popular 70 criticize the
vast amount Of crops which the
government owns or is making
loans on, but this surplus ia
storage may be a great blessing
Continued on Page So
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