Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Here s Proof of Prosperity Business in the United States is sound. America faces her greatest commercia! opportunity. r ihis country is on the eve of an awakening—due yto a wholesome state of affairs at home and to a condition abroad that will establish our trade supremacy beyond question. The above statements' represent a summary of the replies received by the Taylor-Critchfield Company, E. Mapcs, Secretary, Cream of Wheat Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota. “I see no reason why, if business is not hampered for political reasons, ibe United States should not see great commercial prosperity during the continu ance of the European war. This, however, is a time when the utmost latitude should be allowed by the government to all legitimate business in terests. Upon that, coupled with wise action toward the establishment of mercantile marine and ade quate banking facilities, I think the question de pends entirely. 1 think this is the greatest chance for the American manufacturer and businessman that will probably come in several lifetimes, and think the business man of the United States can be safely trusted to take advantage of it if not ham- too much hy unreasonable government re strictions. Of course there will come a reaction after the war, and how much the same will affect the United States depends entirely upon how firmly we have established'our footing during the continu ance of the war period.” Windsor T. White, President, The White Company, Cleveland, Ohio. “Business with the White Company has steadily improved since the scare following the first, an nouncement of war al.ro^c 1 . 1 believe general busi ness will continue fair . ;!:;s country and will boom if our surplus farm products and manufactures can be shipped to other countries." United Cigar Mfrs. Co., New York City. “In the main the present disturbances in American business are due to financial and merchandising re adjustments made necessary by the European upset. This readjusting process is already well under way. in the meantime it would be a mistake to fear that the real fundamentals of American business are endangered. Even the cotton losses are already offset by grain increases. American business will emerge stronger from the present crisis than ever before, while other countries now at war will emerge badly weakened. Speaking for ourselves, we are following our normal progressive policy.” The Bartholomew Company, Peoria, Illinois. “Our trade this year will exceed that of last year and previous years. The war has had no effect on the sale of our automobiles, and with the increased prices that farmers will receive for their products we look for still larger business in ail rural com munities in the Central West.” A. J. Lavuer, Gen. Mgr., Burroughs Adding Machine Co., Detroit, Michigan. “General conditions in America do not warrant the slump in business which is being felt all over the -country. The uneasiness created by the sudden (changes made necessary on account of European disturbances is responsible for the lack of business activity. However, I believe that as soon as the business public decides as to the best way to pro ceed under existing conditions business will resume its normal attitude and should show a Considerable increase.” Woolson Spice Co., Toledo, Ohio. "Or - business is decidedly above normal. Outlook for fell and winter very favorable. We are taking advantage o' present opportunity to extend our interests iu many sections of the country.” G. M. Sidle*, President, Ohio Seamless Tube Co., Shelby, Ohio. "My opinion is that this country was never on a more sound financial basis. If we will all comply with the President's message to the people, that is to be calm, cool, level-headed, end not 'rock the boat,’ this country will continue to dominate the world.” Studebaker Corporation, South Bend, Indiana. "Our advertisement, 'Optimism and Opportunity/ expresses our views. We believe the opportunities for business heretofore supplied by Europe are now open to American manufacturers and mer chants, and they should units vigorously in taking advantage of the situation. Fundamental condi tions of the United States are absolutely sound.” . E. Rosenbaum, President, 1 Southern Plow Company, 1 Dallas, Texas. "The farcer the army the greater the commissary needs. Texas, the world’s commissary, stands ready to feed the hungry and clothe the naked with an unusually large feed crop made and a big cotton crop maturing. We should quickly recover from the temporary depreesion caused by the closing of European cotton markets and eventually supply the world with finished cloth ostead of raw cotton, Samuel Moody, Passenger Traffic Manager, Pennsylvania Lines, Pittsburgh, Pa. "Business conditions end prospects good. The European war will, in my judgment, bring out the Yankee genius to produce the wants of home manufacturers so that this nation will not be dependent upon the foreigner in the future as it has been in the past.” C. W. Nash, Gen. Mgr., Buick Motor Co., Flint, Michigan. “War or no war, there will be 40,000 Buick auto mobiles built in the 1915 season. We are going to manufacture 40,000 cars because we expect to dis pose of that number and we have every assurance that we will. The present demand for Buick cars in this country has never been equalled and the cars we had planned to ship abroad will be sold in this country. The fact that no foreign-made cars are likely to be shipped into this country because of the war will have a balancing effect on the auto mobile situation, and in a measure affect the foreign shipments heretofore made by American automobile concerns.” Northwestern Knitting Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Munsingwear sales this year are largee-than last year. We expect a greatly increased demand this fall and winter. We deplore European conditions, but believe they indicate long continued prosper ity in the United States. We ore enlarging our plant and employing additional help. Those mer chants will be wise who anticipate as far as possible the increased business that is certain to come as a result of good prices for farm products and good wages in industry.” Silas McClure, Secy., Malleable Iron Range Co., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. “The volume of our orders and the recent improve ments in collections, with only a limited movement of crops up to this time, confirm our opinion that trade conditions are sound throughout the agri cultural districts of the whole United States.” Detroit Engine Works, Detroit, Michigan. “The best proof of our belief in trade conditions is that our advertising campaign is larger than ever before. We believe present conditions, while deplorable, will increase in a very short time the already prosperous conditions of the United States. The crops of this country alone end prosperous condition of the farmer make anything else im possible.” B. A. Fuller, Pres., Hercules Mfg-. Co., Centerville, lowa. "Our neutrality, our record-breaking crops, snd the immense European demand for our surplus crops are absolute proof that we ere on the verge of the greatest wave of prosperity in the history of our country. The treasury department decision to ac cept cotton and tobacco warehouse receipts as a basis for emergency currency means the South will get its share of this great prosperity at once, the same as every other section.” Jas. A. Craig, General Manager, Janesville Machine Co., Janesville, Wisconsin. “With the abundant harvest we have this year and the positive assurance of high prices for ell agricultural products, and being at peace with all nations of the world, we can’t help but prosper.” J. L. Hamilton, President, Alabastine Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. “Europe’s calamity is America’s opportunity. We ere due to witness, and can be instrumental in securing, the greatest era of prosperity known in this country’s history. Wise legislation, liberal financiering, universal optimism, avoidance of strikes and lockouts, more fuel under the boiler, mere pressure on the steam gauge, more money in advertiaing, and we will arrive.” Detroit Steel Products Co., Detroit, Michigan. “The fact that the buaineaa community has mobil ised forces and is on guard, associated with strong fundamental conditions, should Insure a safe future. The moat serious handicap is the attitude of Con ires* towards successful business. That has been sufficient to retard prosperity. If continued during the strain caused by war we may face hard times.” W. N. Brown, Collins Plow Company, Quincy, Illinois. “American trade conditions are sound, but hare been sluggish for a year. A strong revival which had set in has been temporarily checked by Euro pean war. We look for a heavily increased de mand from foreign countries, to be followed by enormous demand for all oth—■ commodities from countries and at boms.” Hugh Chalmers, President, Chalmers Motor Car Co., Detroit, Michigan. “I believe the basic conditions in this country are extremely good, and I believe that after the people become accustomed to the war headlines in the papers and settle down that business conditions in this country are going to he of great benefit to us and in my opinion it will not affect our business seriously after the next thirty days. A great catas trophe, such as this war is, cannot help but hnvo a had mental effect upon our people temporarily, but this will wear away and then we will realise how fortunate we Are to be Americans at this time and what a great opportunity for the world’s trade is open to us.” J. Walter Earle, President, Remington Typewriter Co., New York City. “Our sales are a barometer of trade. Indications point to an increasing volume of business. Amer ica, as the one great industrial nation free from the ravages and horrors of war, should so shape her activities that she may in increasing proportion supply the needs of those beyond her shores as well as her own people.” James Mfg. Co., Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. “In our opinion the war not only opens great new fields for business abroad, hut also large markets at home for goods heretofore imported. Our informa tion shows enormous crops practically throughout the United States, with prices high and money con ditions sound. Farmers, and business based on agri culture, must prosper. The gates of opportunity stand wide open to America’s business. Our own sales were never better. July and August were both record breakers. Collections are normal. The war should increase our sales on dairy barn equipment in the United States, because our cus tomers, which include farmers and city business and professional men, will have more money to spend.” Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co., Louisiana, Missouri. “Business conditions with us are highly satisfactory. Our sales at this date show an increase of 38 per cent over this same date last year. Prospects for fall business are the best in years.” M. W. Savage, President, International Stock Food Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Absolute and permanent commercial supremacy of the world is the present exceptional opportunity of the United States, and this requires only good judg ment and cool headness and such a practical, optimis tic outlook as is fully justified by big crops and extraordinary markets and large increase in Farm Product Prices and in the strength and energy of our people. Fair and Square Commercial War will finally subdue man’s animal trndency to kill hit feilowmen and can be made the means of bringing about Universal Peace. The United States has the brains and the money and the undaunted ambition to lead the World in vast business enterprises and will quickly dominate the markets of all nations of the earth and help establish permanent peace. Farmers form the true basis of our prosperity and the present condition of the termer, both es to home life end finencial condition, is overwhelming and solidly optimistic War among nations as well as war on business mutt necessarily cause tremendous unrest and lost. Mutual Fairness between business and government and a strong pull together and the greatest commercial victory in ell history will be ours.” George A. Hormel, President, George A. Hormel & Co., Austin, Minnesota. “In Minnesota end the northwest crops ere good and we understand the banks are able to furnish money far the movement of grain, live stock and legitiir:.;.* business enterprise. Collections good. Labor is scarce and well employed at good wages. We see no immediate cause for alarm." James V. Rohan, President, Belle City Incubator Company, Racine, Wisconsin. “The effects of the war in my opinion should tsnd to improve rather than to retard the American trade conditions within the United States and Can ada, though the export trade may be affected for a time.” Bissell Carpet Sweeper Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. “We consider the outlook for fall and holiday busi ness very good and beyond this believe this country it approaching an era of prosperity greater then any in el 1 its ere.” Hayes Pump and Planter Co., Galva, Illinois. “Bigger crops than ever before, bettor prices and tha certainty for increased acreage of all cereal crops will give the greatest buying impulse this country has ever known. Surely the coining yes 1 looks like big business.” % of Chicago, to telegrams addressed to some of the leading business men of the United States. Their answers ring with optimism—hope—assurance —confidence. Business must be good. Proof of prosperity is found in the following messages: Frank D. Blake, Adv. Manager, Deere & Co., Moline, Illinois. “Agricultuure is the basis of our wealth. With the greatest number of bushels of foodstuffs in our history and the best prices in years, our people will save money, materials and wealth. There is a chance for greater expansion. Our factory prod ucts will be in demand, our people profitably em ployed. We nre a g-eat agricultural people, at peace with the whole world.” E. C. Simmons, Simmons Hardware Company, St. Louis, Missouri. “General business is absolutely sound and healthy. There b© no fear or apprehension about it. Our August business will 1 think show the largest sales of any August for fifty years, with promise of better business later." John Clay, Pres., Clay, Robinson & Co., Chicago. “The livestock business is not suffering from the effects of the war. It is likely to be benefited, as a continuance of the fighting will tend to increase the demand for our product. We are decidedly short nf cattle and sheep, with a fair supply of hogs, the latter depending automatically on the corn crop. We are dealing in a product needed every day and the country cannot afford to have the streams of production and consumption seriously interfered with. In my judgment we are at the beginning of a long war which will only end by exhaustion. The enormous resources of the conflicting parties point this way. The United States is certainly at the gate of opportunity and hy honest and upright dealing, payment of her just debts, even although other nations arn tardy, she will gain immense benefits in credit and trade by a wise and liberal policy." C. A. Patterson, Pres., Peoria Drill & Seeder Company, Peoria, Illinois. “Close attention to business and the new nece*> sity caused by the existing conditions abroad will keep farm and factory busy. Opportunity has been unexpectedly forced upon the inventive minds of American business men and the splendid results of their accomplishment will be a surprise to other nations and an appreciable financial benefit to the United States." * L. Klima, General Manager, King Ventilator Co., Owatonna, Minnesota. “General outlook for business is very good. The increase in price on raw materials it more than off set by the value of farm products. Business gen erally will be what business men make it. We can keep the public from buying by talking war. We will make business by talking peace." A. L. Haecker, Woods Brothers Silo &. Mfg. Co., Lincoln, Nebraska. “The business outlook (or the United State, wax never better. Our crop, are good—our people are at work end we are mindful of our opportunity. There it a unity of sentiment for peace end thrift among ua all. Thi, will ripen into a golden period of pro,perity.” W. C. Davis, Secretary, Davis Milk Machinery Co., North Chicago, Illinois. “We have been extremely busy end buaineaa ha, hesn vary good with ux. Our volume hat run over 80 per cent in gain ovar last year’s business for tha aama period end indication, are that buaineaa will ba fairly good throughout the year.” R. W. Neff, President, The Remmers Soap Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. “No condition exist, that doe. not indicate that we Americans should have every confidence in the present and future. Bumper crops—banka sound with plenty of money—no overproduction. Although the war may effect a few, it will build up so many others that the few become neglible.” The E. C. Brown Company, Rochester, N. Y. “Though our past fiscal year just closing has been the best in our history, many signs point to im provement in 1915. While collections have been tardy, the excellent crop and market conditions already show improvement and a boom saems started." Beechnut Packing Company, Canajoharie. New York. “We look confidently to the future, expecting sup. ply and demand to regulate prices as they always have in the past. Wa are doing our best from day to day to promote our business. We feel that conditions ara good; that the best time* we have ever bed ere coming soon.” John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, Pa. “Now is certainly a most excellent time for the American people to find out how much they can do for themselves of the things they have been depending upon foreign workmen to do. We not only can, but must, find out now whether or not thi* nation can *tnnd firm on its own two hundred million feet and make its own inventions to meet it* own necessities and provide its own luxuries, nnd at the same time feed and clothe a great part of the rest of the world. We have the youth, energy, capital, will, the men and women to do thfte things. We can do everything that we are called upon to do, but deliver the goods, and we can’t deliver the goods because we have no mer chant marine. I.et us get the ships first of all. It wifi be no trouble to put the crews and cargoes aboard them. We must start ploughing the seat for an early harvest." B. L. Hupp, Sec., Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co., Kansas City, Missouri. “Wa look for favorable business conditions in this country during tha war period, since European manufacturers are hampered in doing business here—especially in agricultural sections and in those manufacturing districts, a demand for whose products is directly created by tha war. We anticipate a very satisfactory business this fall.” Fred Warner, Sales Manager, Oakland Motor Car Co., Pontiac, Michigan. “Our connections throughout the entire United States report constantly improving business condi tions. The only complaints are from the Cotton states, and the feeling there is that their condition will be righted very soon. War should in most lines very materially increase our volume of busi ness and prestige in world markets. We believe the next twelve months will show greet prosperity.” L. K. Wynn, President, Black Silk Stove Polish Works, Sterling, Illinois. “American business and the new banking system ara concrete. There is no cause for alarm. The people are the architects of the situation. If there is any danger, it is in the minds es the people who might become panicky. Ignore discussion—keep everybody busy.” H. C. Phelps, President, Ohio Carriage Mfg. Co., Columbus, Ohio. “Ourfreat crops, with good prices assured, backed by our safe and sound banka, make an irreaiatiblt force. What others destroy we can and will re place. There is nothing wrong with Ohio or the United States. We can't be stopped.” O. E. Sovereign, President, North American Construction Company, Bay City, Michigan. “If we can keep our hat out of the ring we will have the greatest period of prosperity in history. Our own immediate business future looks excep tionally bright. Our Aladdin mills have been run ning full force twenty hours a day for fivo months. Orders booked now necessitate doubling our capacity for 1915.” Alfred Hanchett, Adv. Mgr., F. A. Patrick & Co., Duluth, Minnesota. “The European situation will bring American com* mercial independence and pre-aminenca. It will oo a strong stimulus to Amorican manufacturers, a powerful promoter of foreign trade. Our admin istration, with keen business foresight, should mak* opportunities out of present conditions.” W. R. Wooden, Gen. Mgr., Nichols & Shepard Co., Battle Creek, Michigan. “The conservative linos followed by business gen erelly for the last two or throe years make present conditions sound. Sgne advantage of present opportunities insures a period of commercial pros perity.” A. O. Silver, Treas., W. K. Mullins Company, Salem, Ohio. “Business is perfectly healthy but taking a vacation pending further developments of the European wai and exportation of crops. An American morchan* marine now would open the doors of opportunitj unused by Amorican manufacturers.” O. C. Hansen Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “American inventiveness, ingenuity and push wT cop. successful l ,, rapidly with any detriment# conditions tho war between European nation, m. na?a pracipitatad in this country, and tha naw 01 portunities now at hand will result in a new prot parity for this countrv nmr kefors raalisad.**