Monday, February 11, 2019

Current Difficulties Will End and 1919 Well Become Great Year for Americans

From the editorial page of the Hickory Daily Record, Feb. 11, 1919

To Be Good Year

The inevitable depression due to the change from war to peace activities, predicted by everybody, nevertheless has caused some speculation throughout the country. The war ended so suddenly, as a well-informed Hickory business man recently observed, that it did not afford industry that opportunity to begin the adjustment from war to peace, and as a result many concerns were caught with large stocks of supplies on hand. These must be worked off before there will be that general demand for goods, which will send another wave of prosperity throughout the land.

But good business men are no in the least fearful. Not many of them believed the war would last several years from last fall, but the military leaders advised that it would, and business, to be on the safe side, took no chances on securing raw materials this year; industries purchased last spring and summer for several months ahead. This accounts for the large stock on hand. Naturally, these stocks must be disposed of before new supplies are purchased. In a few weeks or months, the tide will run strong again, and business, on the peace basis, will prosper as never before.

Statistics on labor show that the south is still short of workmen, and by the time most of the soldiers return this demand can be met and agriculture and manufacture will be able to absorb thousands of laborers. Soon also, with the peace treaty signed and the countries of Europe demanding raw materials, the United States will sing to the tune of prosperity. This is the belief of well-informed business men, and they are looking to the future with confidence. The world must be fed and clothed, destroyed industries must be replaced, and nowhere except in the United States can all the needs be supplied. The latter half of 1919 is destined to be a great year for the American people.

No comments:

Post a Comment