Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 30, 1923, Page 13

Che Casper Suna 4né WYOMING WEEKLY REVIEW y Crthune VOLUME 33. SECOND NEWS SECTION. CASPER, WYO., SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1923 SECOND NEWS SECTION. NUMBER 23 * Editorial Theater News Markets Classified AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY HAS GREATEST YEAR IN HISTORY INFLATION LACKING IN BUSINESS EAPANSION CF INDUSTRY LENDS FAM FOUNDATION FOR NEW YEAR Industry, Commerce and Trade Move Forward In Great Strides With Prospects of Reaction Reduced to Minimum. BY J. C. (Foremost Business Writer in the United States) (Copyright 1923 by the Casper Tribune). Expansion without inflation. characteristic of the year of 1923, one of the most remark- able periods American business has had in the memory There can be no doubt that industry, commerce and trade have prospered in the last twelve month. The vast amount of raw materials pro- of the present generation. duced, the finished products turned out and the volume of goods sold, bear ample evidence to that effect. The striking point in look!ng over the results of the year, however, is that these things have been accom- plished without many of the deleter. fous effects which have attended some previous periods of prosperity. There have been some exceptions to the general prosperous trend. Some lines of industry have failed to jain the majority in reporting pro- fits. These exceptions, while numer- ous enough to prove the rule, in most cases have been nofed in speci- fic Ines of certain industries rather than in the basic industries Even where corporations and In- dividuals have wound up 1923 with- out a profit, nearly all have made a better showing than in 1921 and 1922. Of 54 basic commodities, 36 could be numbered at the end of the year as having enjoyed particular prosperity. Eleven had a fair year and seven could be listed as return- ing inadequate returns although most of the latter class did better than last year. The favorable showing indicated new year. THE CONTINENTAL OIL COMPANY Aworusn year’s labors have been written into history. In retrospect, the past twelve-month has yielded much that is reassuring. Let us cross the threshold of 1924 with calm confidence : and the firm resolve to measure up fully to our tasks and our responsibilities. Let us have faith, courage and sincerity of purpose. Let each of us foster a whole- hearted spirit of co-operation with our fellowmen. Fortified thus, we cannot fail of greater achievement. Our own efforts will be constantly guided by the prin- ciple of Better Service to the motoring public. We shall Strive to merit your confidence and, with it,an increased. share of your patronage. A full measure of prosperity to you is our wish for this BUSINESS YEAR AT GLANCE BY J. C. ROYLE The United States in 1923 had one of the most remarkable periods of prosperity in the memory of the present generation. Production was of tremendous volume and consumption kept pace throughout. Employment generally was steady at high wages and labor disputes were infrequent. Buying power increased over two billion dollars from enhanced crops, high wages. and improved incomes resulting from the return of industrial corporations to a dividend basis. ROYLE ' Only a few basic industries failed to show adequate return on the investment. That has been the chief Business kept its head and the year ends with inventories and stocks low and credit and banking position high: Conditions indicate a continuation of activity and pros- perity into the new year competition will be keen. Agricultural conditions give promise of improvement. 1,037 ARRESTS IN LAST YEAR - BY SHERIFF'S OFFICE; GREAT SUM PAID TO COUNTY IN FINES With a total of 1,037 arrests during the year up to and including yesterday and the revenue actually paid into the court amounting to $17,952.50 the Natrona county sheriff's office is bringing to a close its most active year since the incorporation of the county. The revenue is exclusive of state automobile traffic fines which are kept in a special category. der, one for each month in the year. volume of business is done on al Liquor violations constituted more! The statistics prepared by the credit basis and the imprtance of the! sheriffs office yesterday are as fo', steadincss of that oasis can readily ‘an & third of the arrests for the |... be estimated. | year with 330 of these cases on the Liquor violations, 330 Prices of commodities throughout’ blotter in addition to 39 arrests for} Gambling, 82. ° the year hive been well maintained. operating stills, Gambling figured Traffic violations 53 There have been few startling or high up in the totals with 82 arrests, Fugitives from justice, 51. (Continued on Page Seven) ‘and there were 12 arrests for mu: Investigation, 48, Operating stills, 39. Forgery, 39 Disturbance, 36, Grand larceny, 30. Theft of automobiles, 28, Prostitution, 28. Burglary, 26. Assault and battery, 25, Petty larceny, 21. Insanity, 18, Narcotic violations, 17. Breaking and entering, 15. Held as witnesses, 15. Vagrancy, 14. Murder, 12, Federa’ warrants, 12. Adultery and bastardy, 12, Rape, 10, Killing range cattle, 9. Concealed weapons, 8. Attempted murder, 6, Breach of promise, 6. Wife desertion, 4. Game law violation, 4. Pimps, 4. Resisting an officer, 4. Robbing mails, 4. Highway robbery, 3. Delinquency, 3. Operating slot machines, 3. Horse thieves, 3. Manufacturing stills, 2. Embezzlement, 2, Impersonating an officer, Criminal libe’, 2, Kidnapping, 1. False pretense, 1, Trespassing, 1. Selling mortgaged property, 1. Breaking parole, 1, Contempt of court, 1. Non ‘support, 1, Sale of poison without license, Total, 1,035. Hundred Million Motor Bus Fares Paid In Newark Nearly 100,000,000 passengers will be carried during 1923 by motor busses in Newark, N. J., according to estimates by Joseph Crayford, supervisor of transportation, based on the amount of gross receipts taxes paid into the city treasury. Up to November 30, a total of 88,- 650,000 passengers had been carried. This was approximately 11,000,000 more than the total for last year. ‘The extra busses brought to Newark during the trolley strike have been in the year end statements of the different lines of ousiness was pro, duced not by lack of competit‘on but because of it. In this respect the Period since last January 1, differed materially from 1920 when buying rén riot and when “take it or leave it’ was the watchword of many a merchant. Business Kept Its Head American businessmen kept their heads and so did the Amer'can pub- le. Asa result, the country is wind- ing up the year with a sound credit structure and a banking position of amazing strength. The annual “turnover” of the United States for 1923 is conservatively estimated by bankers and statist'cians at $8,000,- 000.000. There is only a small part of this sum in actual currency in circulation so that it is evident that the great portion of this enormous } (A Colorado Corporation) ing a line of igh: grade withdrawn, dnd the number in sleum in Colorado, in operation during December of this Mexico, Utah, Idab 7 year remains at 450—identical wita December, 1923 Yoemen Select Site for Home DES MOINES, Ia., Dec. Selection of a site for the “City ef Childhood” to be built by the Brotherhood of American Yeomen is to be decided at the annual session here of the board of direc- tors of the organization DOLLARBUYS — MORE IN AUTO VALUE TODAY Based on the 1913 dollar as a standard, it is possible to get more automobile value for the money to- day than it was 10 years ago. When one takes the average prices of automobiles, gasoline and tires, It is found that motive products cost these auto- 88 today than before the war even though the purchasing power of the dollar tn general has shrunk considerably. Today one can purchase 111 cen worth of automobile, 101 cents worth of gasoline and 123 cents worth of tires with his 1913 dollar. TRUCK MAKERS TOMEET SOON Open Convention Will Assemble in Gotham On January 7. An open convention of motor truck manufacturers will be held at National Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters, 366 Madi- son avenue, New York, on Monda January 7, during the week of the Automobile show. A similar gather- ing held last year was attended by about 85 manufacturers. There will be an open forum for consideration of problems of the industry. Among the topics and speakers listed are the following: 1. “Bus Operation by Electric YEAR'S OUTPUT TO REAGH FOUR AMILLICN MARK IN AMERICAN FACTORIES; NEW RECORD IN PROSPECT Replacements Alone to Require 2,000,000 Cars in 1924, Is Estimate Of Business Expert; Other Commodity Markets Reviewed For Year Reveal General Prosperity. (Copyright 1923 by the Casper Tribune The greatest year in history. try. hicles compared w factories contributed nearly At the close of this y ar there will be in operation ‘n the United Stat approximately 14,000,000 motor ve- hicles, One of the features of the year was the number of replacements necessary. It is estimated that alone will sccount for almost 2,000,000 cars in 1924 and there is a distinct ten-| dency today toward the early scrap- ping of second hand cars. The in- crease of the population and the na- tural Increase In income of c'tizens of this country, it is estimated, will provide for the purchnse of 600,000 new rs next year, ahove the reg ular rate of increase The year was one of the keenest kind of competition and saw the dem'se of some of the smaller com- panies while the larger concerns were enabled to Increase sales and output. Price changes were not infrequent and, in general, the movement was downward although there were notable exceptions. The changes in price however were more for the purpos of invading certain rice flelds than from cut throat tactics within the same flent. Models, toward the end of the year, showed considerable change BY J. C. ROYLE, half. have been the dominating in the coal industry the year. The bituminous mines were relieved momentarily of this cloud by the esttlement in 1922 but they knew that the anthracite in- dustry faced a struggle this year Bituminous coal was produced in volume early In the year to fill mar- kets that might be left en anthracite. The anthracite mines were idle but a few weeks and re. sumed at full capacity and under | the highest wage scale recorded in | the industry after the settlement jn Harrisburg in September. There is no doubt that the strikes and threatened strikes resulted the wide adoption of oil as fue to this extent the industry ground during the year. The wage agreement bituminous operators and miners comes up for readjustment during 1 There is every probability that the contest will find both sides disinclined to give ground. Stocks of bituminous above ground are now higher than at any time since 1916. Coffee. The coffee situation throughout factors throughout in nd although the closed car continued to grow in popularity. New mechanica! features such as four-wheel brakes and other devices were introduced. Seasonable slumps in production were notable by their absence. Railway Companies"—W. J. Flick- inger, assistant to the president, The Connecticut company. 2. “Progress in Building the Na- tion’s Highways"—T. H. MacDonald, chief, Bureau of Public Roads. + 3. “Common Carrier Laws and Legislative Problems” — Harry Meixell, secretary, Motor Vehicte Conference committee. 4. “Status of the Motor Truck Industry"—lIllustrated with charts —J. H. Collins, Chilton & Class Journal companies. 5. “What Can Be Done to Im- prove the Standard of Truck Paper.” 6. “The Pennsylvania Railroad's Experiment in Moving Freight by Motor Truck.” Invitations have gone forward to all truck manufacturers in the country, including non-members as well as members of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. WOMEN GAIN IN FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (United Press)—Great strides have been made in the Equal Rights movement during the p: opinion of Alice Paul, vice president of the National Women's Party, which is supporting the equal rights amend ment to the constitution. Miss Paul made the following statement today at the headquarters on Cap- itol Hill: “We feel that the closing year has been the most significant in the equal rights movement since the first equal rights meeting in 1848. This past year has seen the intro- duction in Congress uf the equal rights amendment to the nationa® constitution, and the launching of a world-wide movement. for equal rights through the undertaking of an internatinal parliament of wo- men at our conference in Novem- olen ss Nigh FLIGHTS AG SAFE . AS DAY, SAY AVIATORS NEW YORK. nited Press.)}— Night flights have been made as safe as day flights, Lieutenants H. R. Harris and D. L. Brunner of the U. S. A. S., reported to the aero- nautic division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. As the result of four years of development work at McCook field, Dayton, Oh'o, in building up an aviation industry, the ‘two officers declared that all night-flying air- planes should be required to carz two -wing-tip landing lights, two Parachute flares, one set of navi- gation lights and one hand flash Mght which can be used for signal- ing purposes. Each terminal airdrome, they said, should be provided with a com bined. emergency beacon and land- ing light giving a minimum beam candlepower of 350,000,000. Sales policies of various com- panies were altered to a consider- able degree in a search for new and live retail agents and distributors and the number of men engaged in selling motor €ar& increased rapidiy as the year drew to a close. Programs already outlined for next year show that the larger co: panies plan to increase rather than diminish production and efforts are being made to straighten out the used car situation, which in some cases was an obstacle to retail dealers in the past year. The Ford plants are being adjusted to a pos- s‘ble production of 10.000 cars a day and General Motors schedule pro- vides an 88,000 car production in January, Profits have been excel- lent and the cash position of the main factors in the industry is good while inventories are low. The small number of cars in the hands of dealers would seem to indicate a heavy volume of orders in the early part of 1924. Brick. Brick yards were continuously em- ployed in 1923 and prices were steadily maintained at figures well above those of 1922 but under those of 1920, Face brick production was tre- mendously heavy especially in the middlewest with the average run- ning 20000000 a month. Stocks fairly well maintained but un- orders showed an increase over those of 1922 throughout the | first three quarters of the year. Candy. Candy manufacturers wound up December with thelr factories work- ing overtime to supply the demand. The consumption during the year was fully up to expectations and production was not materially inter- rupted even by the flurry in the sugar market in the spring which caused unaesiness to other coz:- sumers, filled Cement. Cement consumption continued to expand during the entire Year and mills increased operations accord- ingly. This situation was aided ma- terially not only by the heavy bulld- ing program but by large require- ments for road work in all sections of the counrty. Prices were maintained during the spring and summer but some recessions to stimulate lagging building were made in certain parts of the country as cold weather came on. Clothing. The remarkable thing about cloth- ing prices during the year were that they were maintained at so low a level. Tho industry was singularly unaffected by labor troubles but in @hite of that fact the scale of wages was high. Ra’v materials increased in price. Yet clothing prices in both men’s and women’s wear showed only the most moderate advances. This was due, in chief, to the determined efforts of manufacturers to reduce manufacturing and sellin costs. Rents were cut down, space was conserved and the efficiency of office and sales forces was ma- terlally increased. Coal. Strikes and the rumors of strikes | er ! firmly the larger part of 1923 was domt- nated by the condition of Brazilian exchange and the efforts of the Brazilian government to hold up the price of the | product’ through restriction of marketing. Demand In this country was steady and large throughout the year. Imports were high above those for 1922 and at the rate of more than 1,275,000,- 000 pounds for the year. Prices 1 general were steady and slightly above the 1922 level. Cotton Goods. The line of demarcation between a_profitable and a profitless season Including Car Was proof building. PAINT in the city, where you can Cars Will Have One Stations i jern mills had an advantage over between That is what 123 has been to the automotive indus- While final figures have not yet become available, there is ample evidence that the output for the year in American factories has practically reached 4,000,000 ve- ith an outturn of 2,584,296 in 1922 Of this number, the Ford The Ford output for the year undoubtedly would have been full 2,000,000 cars but for the week allowed in December for inventory. is the cgtton goods business seems to have been a geographical one. The rise in the price wa snot reflec ed in a corresponding rise in cot- ton goods. Manufacturers seemed unanimous tn their fear of buyer re- sistance to Increased goods prices. Under these condit'ons, the south- England in nearness to supply, cheapness, of cheaper power. Dairy Products The co-operative marketing tem worked wonders in the dairy products industry during the past ye Prices naturally were affect- ed by local level of returns to far ers than they have received in re- cent years. | The demand for tce cream was un- excelled during the year and some druggists selling to final consumers found keen advantage tn establish. ing thelr own manufacturing panties. Drugs and Chemicals, In general drug and chemical rices in 1923 did not show the same ratio of increase that affected other commodities. However. the demand all over the country throughout the twelve months was active and pro- ducers and manufacturers had little to: complain of in the general volume of trade. Dry Goods The dry goods industry had the time of its life in 1923 shivering and source labor and sys- com- being afra'd. The industry talked continuously of a buyers’ strike which would resist all attempt to advance prices in consonance with the rise in raw commodity rates. Nothing of the sort happened. The silk markets or finished pro- ducts were dull a. it was feared (Continued on Page Three.) ANNOUNCEMENT January Ist, 1924 Will See Us In Our New Building at 424 West Yellowstone NIGHT AND DAY SERVICE hing and Repairing STORAGE at a startling low rate and in a strictly fire- Incorporated in our new building, we have one of the best equipped SHOPS get a first class paint job at a reasonable cost. Best of all, the - PAIGE and JEWETT of the Best Service n the West The Lee Doud Motor Co. 424 W. Yellowstone bn to7 a woke < tee seeUSTS PE Nany Phone 1700 ee