BUSINESS OUTLOOK Babson Sees Opportunities Ahead i By ROGER \V. BABSON Hartfoid, Conn., Sept. 3. ? No * one who has examined U. S. pro HnMinn raonvH a since Pearl Har bor needs to be sold on the bus iness and mana gerial abilities o f American men: This goes for the execu tive group, the workers, the far mers and the small-town busi nessman. For downright abili ty and a know BAUSON ledge of business practice, learn ed the hard way, this latter group is "tops." Most heads of our leading corporations, industries and churches came from the smaller cities and towns. Hart ford, where I am today, is Ailed with them. I have been much interested in watching the tre mendous crowds of all types as they leave their offices and fac tories at the end of the day. All are tied into the immediate out look for business. INDUSTRIAL, ACTIVITY Since our participation In the War the production of raw ma terials and . manufactured goods has centered in armaments and foodstuffs. The lates available monthly figures show $1,069, 000,000 in merchandise exported abroad. This is double the amount for the same month of last year. I should not be surpised to see even higher figures a year hence although the character of goods to be shipped may change. When Germany is brought to her knees, the rehabilitation of Europe, pat terned after what is now going on in North Africa, should mean continued ? 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 demand for civilian goods must be met. The general publie-J? mostly out of debt and has at its ? command an extremely large vol ume of buying power. ? This Is probably in excess of $50,000, 000,000. Thus, from foreign and * domestic requirements, the out look for general industrial activ ity seems favorable. EMPLOYMENT President Roosevelt has al ready announced the Administra tion's plans for the care and em ployment of returning service men. These are in rough form now and must finally be approv ed by Congress. However, the in tent is plain. Through jobs, sub sidies, or schools, these men will have an opportunity to re-orlent themselves to civilian life and work. Employment has now reached a peak of 62,400,000 persons. This is 6,500,000 more than the nation's peacetime lab or force. Employment of able-bodied men, in one form or another, should continue for some years. It is obvious that a temporary slump may occur Immediately af ter the War; but following this short postwar readjustment per iod, some kind of employment should be available for all men who want, to work. Considering foreign competition in manufac turing after the War, we simply cannot afford to maintain an un employed male group of any size. What will happen to the women I do not know. .UilUClTliTCRE What with victory gardens and chicken raising, more people than ever before are getting a taste of farm problems if in only the sim plest of terms. Many city and suburban folks have raised too many vegetables this Summer. Hence, they have become acquain ted with surpluses. Those with chickens in the backyard are having a little difficulty in get ting feed. Grain is both high and scarce. Thus, those ama teurs acquire a knowledge of scarcities. Incidentally, on farms alone, chicken production is up 16% over a year ago. We shall have continued need; for sometime for all that can bej produced from the soil. k This! goes for poultry, beef, produce I and grain. Total food produc-j tiou for 1 4 3 will be only about' 4 1-2% above the record high or 1942. Output of livestock and allied products 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, 000,0J>0 acres of wheat this year. Next year Washington wants to see 68.000,000 acres under cul tivation. ' RETAIL TRADE Retail trade has been excellent. The last six months jof yie year may show a decline in volume compared with a year ago. This could amount to as much as 20%. Considering the over-all picture, it is nothing for retailers to worry about. . In terms of dollar \olume, retail trade has been ad vancing for the past three years. There is such a bafcklog of funds in the pockets of individuals that as new and additional consumer goods become available most ef jfiVient retailers should have a favorable outlook. j As examples of what people are waiting to buy; I believe | there is an immediate market for the following: Automobiles. 5, 000.000. The company manu facturing one low-priced car alone is said to have production plans for half this number in the first year after Germany collapses. Refrigerators, 1,725,000. Wash ing machines. 1,275,000. Stoves. 1,450,000. Radios. 1,3E>0,000. Sewing machines 530,000. Elec tric irons, 1,000,000. Household furniture, 2,150,000 pieces or sets. Rugs and ..carpets, 1.625. I 000 items. And of course, there | are vacuum cleaners, kitchen j utensils, linoleum and thousands [ of other products. coxci.rsiox Yes, I am bullish on the busi ness outlook and bullish on the stock market. But in both situ ations watchfulness is the keynote I recognize the evils of further inflation. I still recommend that saving ? -saving of character, of health, of money ? is the best In surance for individuals. The soll [darity of family life with child !ren and grandchildren should play jthe most important part in our : national economy. True, both now jand in the postwar era, we shall I undoubtedly build up for another I collapse. But of this possibility EXTRA Special ^FIRE-KING SSK2SS BAKING SET/ The madam, scientific baking waia, shows food cooking, perfect lor eerit ?8 1? l-qt. CASSEROLE AND COVB 1? 9 V DEEP LOAF PAN 1?8*- PIE PLATE ?? 6<*. INDIVIDUAL bakers GUARANTEED X YEARS. AGAINST OVEN HEATI i k? ^ a COOK, BAKE AND SERVE ALL IN THE SAME DISH! RA YNOR'S Radio & Jewelry Shop "We Sell the Best and Service the Re3t" Louiaburg, N. C. I will have something say later on. ? : n < AMPIlKMi-Itl'RNKTTK Miss Yiuda Si .i.-t Burn: tte, daughter of Mr. ?('id Mrs. V. I.. Burneae, of Lou ->urg, unci 8g;. Robert Louis Campbell. Ohio. United States Marines, were uni ted in marriage in the Epworth Methodist Church of Norfolk. Va. Tuesday, August 24. 194o. 'J lie ceremony was performed by Dr. Persiuger. The bride's only attendant was her maid of honor, Miss Violet Sakal, of Norfolk, and the bride groom's best man was Sgt. Sle zock. United States Marine. Nor folk. Va. The bride wore a powder blue dress with Navy accessories. Her corsage was. of red roses. Mrs. Campbell has been work ing in the Naval Operating Base at Norfolk, as stenographer, for the past year. Tljey will reside in Norfolk for the present tinie. o MRS. IDA R. VAIjKXTIXE Mrs. Ida R. Valentine. 71, wi dow of the Rev. J. W. Valentine, died Monday afternoon at her home on Louisburg. Route 4. af ter a lingering illness. Funeral services were held by the Rev. John Edwards from the J home Tuesday at. 4 p m., with I ljurial following in the May fani | iiy cemetery near the homQ. ' Surviving are two daughters. ? Ida E. Valentine, of Loulsburg. ! Route 4, and Mrs. ,E. R. I.eonard of Luuiis-urg, li 'UtH 2: three .-oils. W. \Y. H. \Mc! sensible FOX'S prices. These are times when prudence ? not waste ? marks the patriot. No wonder that, today, more people than ever shop at FOX'S. FOXS LOUISBURG'S BEST DEPT. STORE THE MORF. BONDS AND SWEAT . . THE LESS BLOOD AND TEARS ! OPEMIMG DAY 2nd SALE at ? IMPROVED ? PLANTERS WAREHOUSE Louisburg, North Carolina UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT A Friendly and Efficient Force Arch Wilson, Sales Manager. Bryan Cottrell and Eddie Nelms, Assistants. Sterling Cottrell, Bookkeeper. William Boone, Assistant Asil Battle, Auctioneer. > . \ ' ? ? ' ' - James Wilder, Floor Mgr. - Douglas Pully, Asst. James Henry, Night Manager.. Mrs. Myra W. Wilson and Mrs. Estelle Richards Cottrell, - Clerks. We "Understand the Farmers* Problems as All of Us are Farmers to. Bring Us Your First Load and You Will Want To Come Back. Arch Wilson - Sterling Cottrell - Bryant Cottrell Proprietors