State of Business: Pleasant Sounds

Talk alone cannot create prosperity—but is essential to it. Across the nation last week, the surprising business upturn —and where it would lead—was the subject of almost every businessman's conversation. The usual optimists had a field day, the fence-sitters felt stirrings of commitment, and even the normally cautious allowed themselves a grunt or two of satisfaction. The sentiments of U.S. businessmen, from the corporate chief to the corner clothier, were captured by Wall Street's Francis I. du Pont & Co.: "The current upswing in business seems to have something for...