Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-11-04
ouN.s COMMERCIAL REVIEW

A Testing Time for the Retail Trade OF
the Country Caused by Unreasonable
Weather, Which Greatly flinders Retail
Dealings In Winter Goods at All Points
East of the Plains-The Weeks Record.
New YORK, Oct. 30-R. G. Dun s.
Co. IS weekly review of trade says:
The testing of retail trade is in
progress, but results are remarkably
retarded by long-continued mild
weather and also by the fever in south
ern districts. Even from that quarter
some large orders lately received show
better distribution than was yet ex-
pected. In spite of unseasonably warm
weather. which greatly hinders retail
dealings in winter goods at all
points east of the plains,
large number of supplementary orders
with urgent pressure for quick de-
livery make it clear that the sales In
many branches have met the eXpecta-
tions of dealers so that replenishment
of stocks is not yet finished. Mean
while wholesale trade and orders to
manufacturers have been smaller than
when the rush was greatest, but have
nevertheless been large for this stage,
even in a year of general prosperity,
the payments through the principal
clearinghouse have for the week been
8. Q per cent. larger than in the same
week of 1892 and for the month 81 per
cent.
Heavy engagements for outgoing
wheat, covering 1900, 100 bushels this
week, affect monetary prospects, but
still more the produce markets, for the
Atlantic exports are large, already
3. s64. 649 bushels flour included).
against 2. 344, s44 for the week last year,
and in four weeks, 1S,9O4. 557 against
9,S17, 05S last year.
Western receipts are not quite equal
to last years for the week, but have
been %, $50, 2sS bushels for four weeks,
against %. T56, GA last year. The mar
ket advanced "a cents, with No. red
actually selling above 81 here, while
speculation at ST. Louis is pushing
prices yet higher. The possibility that
foreign exports may be checked is not
to be overlooked, but the heavy en-
gagements besides exports for four
months past prove that foreign needs
are real and large. The corn move
ment was smaller, though exports fall
only 800, 900 bushels below last year,
and the price advanced but slightly.
The fall of cotton to six cents for
spot and SIS cents for January, maxi
ing the price the lowest since March
Ii, 1895, and not half a cent above the
lowest for nearly half a century, is
partly due to embarraSsments caused
by the fever, but also indicates the
prevailing belief that the quantity to
come forward is large. For two months
nj rrh than
from the greatest crop ever grown, in
spite of delays caused by quarantine;
| but the unfavorabIe conditions about
the time of maturity render 1T less
likely than usual that the top crop will
be satisfactory, SO that receipts may
| drop off earlier than usual.
On the other hand it is to be noted
that extensive labor troubles threaten
the manufacturers in England while
the lowest price ever known here for
print cloths reflects a heavy accum-
| lated stock, of other goods as well.
Wool markets have become quiet.
Instead of Is, 600, 900 pounds reported
sold in Boston in the last week of Sep
TENDER, 9, zoe, 600 the next week, 5000,
600 the second week of October and
| 5000, 900 the third week; sales have
been but 2,71O, 900, and at the three
chief markets 5, 23l, 800, making the ag-
pregate for the month Sc, 394 ZOO
| pounds, against over GO, 600, 900 pounds
! in September. Prices are said to be
well maintained, though two to three
cents below former asking prices, but
occasional heavy sales indicate conces-
sions for 1iq uidation of speculative
lots. The market for goods is not
active, as prices have been SO far ad-
vanced as to hinder buying, in many
cases Intentionally, until the future
is more clear, and the mills have ahead
quite as large contracts as they just
now desire.
Buying of iron and steel products,
though smaller than of late, continues
to keep works well engaged ahead and
induces others to resume operations.
Both buyers and manufacturers find il
prudent to limit engagements ahead
and the period of adjustment will
make the industry safer for some time
to come.
Tin is a little weaker and copper at
IL cents for lake, and competition OF
home producers lowers tin plate tc
1910. The coke output is larger, l49,,
553 tons weekly, but anthracite coal i;
weaker, being offered here at S4.05
against 81. 35 named in circulars.
Failures for the week have been 2le
in the United States against 270 las
year and 25 in Canada against 40 las
wear.