Salt Lake Telegram | 1941-09-22 | Page 6 | Intriguing Vision of the Future

Intriguing Vision of the Future j WEEK magazine in its August 16 a BUSINESS J issue published a lengthy report on National National Na uNa Defense and the Future of Profits which contained an interesting speculation on k 4 future changes in the nations nation's economy which is of special moment to Utah tJ In an explanatory preface to the report the magazine points out that national defense is 1 the dominant industrial force in America to to day Other industries revolve around it and under its stress corporations and individuals alike are subordinating private interests and profits The net effect Is great and rapid t change In a sense says Business Week national defense is a catalytic agent agent as as in t chemistry speeding chemistry speeding r up the processes of change Then the magazine goes on to analyze the forces being unleashed by the national defense defense delease de de- de lease program and Just what they are accomplishing accomplishing ac ac- ac in the way of changes One of these prospective changes greatly affects Utah Business Week envisions a relatively independent west coast economy with great industrial and manufacturing development based on west coast iron steel and aluminum c production production Here is what the magazine says And will the west coast now a major market for steel and other heavy-goods heavy products prod prod- products of the east casU become a nearly self con economy relatively independent of the rest of the United States Already it is Ji center of diversified agriculture lumber ou output out ou- put canning and numerous consumer goods industries But if huge iron and steel mills and aluminum capacities are built to service the shipbuilding and airplane industries now established in the area is it not possible that an integrated industrial development may take place there in the war post-war epoch And instead of drawing upon the east for many durable consumer goods such as automobiles refrigerators and household appliances the coast may be able not only to provide for its own consumption but to produce a surplus for competition in eastern markets with eastern enterprises An intriguing vision of the future is it not it-not lot New industry new production new employment employment employ employ- ment new population and new prosperity forthe forthe for forthe the west as the result of tr tremendous expansion caused by the defense program Its It's not at atall atall all impossible And if it comes it will be based to a considerable extent on the product f t tion lion of the basic materials of industry right r r. here in Utah Utah Iron iron and steel aluminum copt cops cop cop- t s i per lead zinc and many other basic materials already being produced or available for production pro pro- production in this state It doesn't have to stop there by any means With plentiful supplies of coal with the possibility possibility of cheap power produced in steam ort or t hydroelectric plants these basic materials 1 f may well wen be turned into finished products 7 r f right here National defense the defense the economic 1 catalytic agent may agent may well wen be bringing about changes and progress in the west which will move Utah's development clock ahead half hail a century if 11 we are only alert and enterprising i enough to seize and nd take the fullest advantage advantage t tage of our golden opportunity