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Show STILL OPTIMISTIC. Along the latter part of Xovember an Interview Inter-view was published purporting to set forth thu views of Mr. James J. Hill on the business and financial outlook of the country, which were very dismal, indeed. Inasmuch as Mr. Hill had long been, looked upon as a very consistent optimist, the publication of a pessimistic opinion from the great railroader caused a flurry in the stock markets amj served to accentuate the depression which has fallen upon the business world. Mr. Hill immediately denied de-nied the correctness of the interview, and said he could see no prosent cause for alarm. Although he thought the outlook for new enterprises did not indicate any great activity, he considered that general gen-eral conditions are, on the whole, sound. In the face of a wave of depression, which extends from one end of the country to the other, it is indeed a pleasure to read that in the opinion of Mr. Hill general conditions are sound. Just what has caused the depression, or whether it exists in fact, are questions hard to answer. The calamity-howler has been rather persistently active for a year, and despite de-spite bumper crops and normal mine production, the business of the country has slackened speed. Possibly we are enjoying a period of normal conditions, con-ditions, as opposed to the high-pressure under which we worked for several years. But Mr. Hill . is still optimistic, and if hb spirit were more general, gen-eral, no doubt the depression would soon pass. |
