Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-11-11
BOOMING TRADE.
New YORK commercial Advertiser.

The Increase in Business as Great as III 1880
There is Fully 20 Per Cent. More Done
by Merchants and Corporations than Last
Year.
The decided boom which is now mani
fest in all business has been noted in
these columns, but affecting the west and
south only in so far as good trade in the
east signifies like conditions elsewhere.
1t is now learned that trade throughout
the entire country is experiencing a re-
vival not before felt since 1880. And to
business men the most encouraging fea-
ture is that the improvement, besides be-
ing general in locality, is general in every
industry-in the production of raw ma
terial and in the output of the manufac-
tured article. An unusual element is that
this healthfulness comes without marked
increase in the export trade, being rather
development of the internal resources
of the country and the commercial rela-
tions between the states. Merchants do
not doubt that the export trade will in
turn improve, and the fact that even
without that factor an unusual activity
has begun is taken to be highly encOUrag-
ing. The chief Indication of the improve
ment in the west is the present business
of the railroad companies. Of necessity
they are a most important element IN all
trades, and consequently the volume of
their traffic must be commensurate to the
business of the country at large. Since
1880 the railroads have steadily increased
their mileage but the returns have shown,
almost invariably, decrease from year
to year-that is, during that time bust
ness depression has existed very general
Iy over the land. After the first three
months of this year change begun to
be noticed, and since then the improve
Lnent has been steady; and this on all
lines in the southwest and northwest.
gentleman in this city, who has regu-
lar correspondents in nearly all the west
ern states, and who for a long time was
actively connected with large system of
western railroads, kindly gave the follow
ing facts to a reporter to-day; MY
knowledge of the country's trade" he said
''is derived from letters which [ receive
from my correspondents and from con-
versations with the officers of the various
important railroad systems. All my in
formation points to the beginning of a
great boom in all the industries Of tho
country, and in every part of it. In the
west and southwest the prospects are very
encouraging. Where large crops have
not been obtained the surplus from last
year, carefully stored, has more than
made up the average, and steady prices
and an active demand add the necessary
elements of health and firmness.
''I particularly observe improvement
in such goods as boots and shoes, clothing,
and indeed, all dry goods. One CORES
pOndent writes an enthusiastic account
of the improvement of trade in Neb.,
and referring to the line of goods which
l have mentioned, says that the increase
in his business since last year is fully &c
per cent. Other dealers from other states
indicate similar increase. In iron, steel
and machinery the improvement is very
marked. One large firm in Memphis
Tenn, engaged in foundry work and all
kinds of machinery, tells of an increase
over last year of SO per cent. experienced
over the entire state. IN iron and steel
work the activity Is unusual. New rail
roads are springing up, while those that
are in existence are constantly increasing
their mileage, and the great systems now
demand frequent renovation. From the
superintendent of the Pullman car-wOrks
learn that the orders can scarcely be
filled, while at the Cambria steel-Works
orders have now to be given long in ad-
vance in order to be filed in time.
"All my correspondents speak of the
better feeling and the comparative east
ness of collections, than which no better
sign can be given. The labor question
which proved so disturbing, has now, /
think, been practically settled, and no one
feels uneasiness on that score. During
the strikes several branches of the Mis-
souri, Pacific did not transact any bust
ness for six weeks. Now the succeeding
activity has more than made up the loss
then sustained.
''The fact, too that the pooling arrange
ments of the railroad companies are now
working smoothly is favorable sign. It
is a sure Indication that the tonnage is
adequate to give all the roads a good
share of the business. When trade is
light there is always quarreling among the
transportation companies; for then there
IS not enough to go round and each tries
to get more than its share"
"What do you think is the cause of this
improvement in business?"
Il think it is due very largely to the
reaction which has taken place since the
effect of overproduction has been brought
forcibly to the minds of all concerned in
it. The overproduction for the last three
or four years has been obvious to all, and
to it the depression, which now happily
seems to be brushed away, may be attri-
buted. This year the supply has been
limited by the demand, and the natural
consequence is the increase of the latter.
good, healthy basis has been reached,
and dealers, producers, and jobbers feel
that trade has reached firm foundation.
Cash dealings ensue, and, instead of
ordering from hand to mouth large stocks
are bought out of sheer necessity. In
this way the evil of overproduction has
apparently wrought its own cure. All the
signs are in favor of more than tempo
rary improvement of business, and the
heaIthfuIness of the commercial interests
of the country bids fair to be long main
tanned"