TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VI 471 



Bradstreet's price index numbers are also interesting, being as follows 

 on the dates mentioned: 



September 1, 1920 17,9746 



August 1, 1920 18,8273 



July 1, 1920 19,3528 



June 1, 1920 19,8752 



September 1, 1919 19,4720 



The London Economist commodity price index for about the same 



period reads as follows: 



August 31, 1920 7743 



July 31, 1920 7876 



June 30, 1920 7847 



August 31, 1919 6503 



As will be seen, declines have been constant, for as was stated, the 

 reluctance of the buying public to purchase at present prices indicates 

 that they will continue. 



The following survey by Franklin K. Lane, former Secretary of the In- 

 terior, issued by the Federal and Deposit Company, of Baltimore, will 

 also prove of interest. As they refer to this part of the country some of 

 the questions and answers are as follows: 



"No. 1. Are building operations in your territory increasing or decreas- 

 ing at this time? 

 Answer. Decreasing. 



No. 3. What is the extent of the increase in the cost of labor over 

 1919? 



Answer. 10 to 50 per cent. 



No. 4. Is labor increasing in productivity per man? 



Answer. No. 



No. 5. Is there a shortage of labor? 



Answer. No. 



No. 7. How do wholesalers and retailers regard the prospects for fall 

 and winter? 

 Answer. Good. 



No. 10. Is there a shortage of coal? 

 Answer. Yes. 



No. 11. Is the shortage of freight cars being substantially reduced? 

 Answer. Yes. 



No. 12. Are general transportation conditions improving? 

 Answer. Yes. 



No. 15. What is the sentiment regarding Government ownership of 

 railroads? 

 Answer. Opposed. 



No. 17. What are the general conditions of farmers in your territory? 

 Answer. Good. 



