Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-21
sn.eisl r.l.aran 70 TIE R.a.s.sr.

Speeisl Tslegranto TIE REGISTER.
New YORK, March 2O.-Ths warm
spring weather at this centre is greatly
stimulating business activity and is pro-
ducing an extensive demand from con-
sumers for nearly all lines of staple
goods. General trade is much improved
and manufacturers are resUming work
on about their own scale. Money is ex-
tremely easy, and will undoubtedly con-
tinue so for the remainder Of the year;
q circumstance which is also helping
along the mercantile situation in the
way Of satisfactory collections.
There is, as it were, general spread
ing out in all directions, and merchants
show great disposition to extend their
lines. Prices, however, continue very
low. and average about IL per cent. be-
low those Of a year ago. On the other
hand orders are increasing, and al
though usually small in size, are large
in number. Thus the volume OF ousi-
ness shows material gain when COM
pared with the preceding months. Mer-
chants report that the majority Of mail
orders represent a replenishmsnt Of
stocks for immediate use rather than
for future requirements, which indi-
Gates that many.
RETAILERS CONTINUE PURCHASING
on conservative line. IN the local
trade, however, this policy is not being
practiced 10 any great extent. The
large houses are buying at their usual
rate, although il is noticeable that first
inquiries are usually for the cheaper
lines Of goods, which reflects a general
disposition on the part Of consumers TO
live more economically.
In the dry goods and kindred markets,
business is exceedingly bright, as COM
pared with what 10 has been since the
first Of the year, although this is 10
some extent owing to Easter purchases.
The main cause, however, is deeper
seated and comes from an actual and
forced demand from consumers all over
the country. The reports and orders
sent in from statesmen on the road
demonstrate this and further show that
stocks In the majority of the smaller
places are badly depleted. In the local
market the tone is more cheerful and q
frser movement Of staple goods is no.
ticeable.
Bleached shirting, sheetings. drills
and colOred cOttOus are selling iH larger
quantities, but prices are somewhat ir-
regular Ia wool suitings the demand
is large, and sales during last week ex-
ceeded those OK year ago by over four
hundred thousand pounds.
IN THE IRON AND STEEL TRADE
business also shows a further improve
ment over that OF a month ago, and the
situation is gradually getting back TO
more normal conditions, although pro-
dnction is still considerably below the
capacity of manufacturers Aanufac-
turers and agents located in this city
report that there Is more actual buSi-
ness 20 be- had, and that the feeling
throughout the trade is more hopeful,
although there is no Improvement liz
the demand for rails. In orders for
structural material, however, the vol
ume is increasing, and a good business
is anticipated during the spring and
summer.
In the hardware line trade continues
fairly active, with both the volume and
size Of orders increasing. Mail orders
generally call for a cheaper line of tools
and supplies, but local buyers continue
purchasing the better grades A num-
Der Of the orders now being received
are reported to be for future delivery,
which bespeaks OF extensive building
this summer.
In the boot and shoe and leather mar
kets trade is better aud sales show some
increase over a week ago, especially ia
the cheaper grades. AS in other lines
orders are numerous, but for small lots.
In FIRST grades orders are materially be-
low the average. Business in
THE Wholesale GROCERY LINE
continues good, sales are larger and
collections favorable. The trade is
very cheerful, and reports business as
increasing.
In the oil situation, decrease Ia pro-
duction has caused a frmneSS 10 prices
for crude oil certificates. Receipts in
eastern districts direct from wells now
average about 65, 600 daily. oil stocks
continue decreasing az a fairly rapid
rate. During last month the decrease
was 554, 600 barrels. So far this month
the decrease has been proportionally
large.
Thus taking the situation as a whole,
distinct gain is apparent, and in some
lines tue first indications OF a harden
ing Of prices is noticeable. From
tour OF the different trades, however, il
is not probable that any material ad-
vance in prices will be witnessed for
some time. although tits thought that a
slow, steady rise will now be the pre-
vailing tendency.
FINANCE AND TRADE.