IN THE daily conversations in which we ask our neighbors how things are - the crops, the market, the cotton trade, as the case may be--we are apt to dwell upon only temporary and material indications. The pessimist points to possible trouble in Mexico. The optimist argues from the recent report of the New York State Labor Bulletin showing that only once or twice in the last ten years has there been as little idleness in the ranks of organized labor as there is this fall. And he points to the record of the second quarter year's net earnings of the Steel Corporation. They were $41,000,000, an amount exceeded only three times in the history of the company.

These are interesting straws blown by the breath of prosperity to point toward a cheerful winter. But underlying these present signs there are great constructive forces for better business, better politics, better living, and higher ideals and aspirations than we have ever had before.

There is a nation-wide movement to organize rural life and make the country a better place to live in.

There is a new spirit in our cities, not only for industrial progress but for better city government and better living conditions.

There is a new era in our railroads, for they are nearly all now dominated by men of broad understanding of the responsibilities that the railroads have to our prosperity. It is a cleaner era in our politics than any that has preceded it.

We are beginning to have a conscience about the public health, about the treatment of women and children in industry.

Our treatment of the criminal, of the insane, of all unfortunates, is changing from an attitude of revenge and punishment to an attitude of wise helpfulness.

We are fast developing our school systems to fulfil their high task of training a democracy.

The great constructive forces of the country are at work, but they work so quietly that we often fail to notice them. And people who do not see these things are prone to have undue periods of enthusiasm and depression.

Because we have been busy scraping the barnacles off the ship of state, always a painful process for some of us, they are apt to feel that the vessel is in serious danger.

The truth is that there was never a better opportunity for constructive work and cheerfulness, and with the opportunity for these two things no one should complain.