Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-14
THE STATE OF TRADE.

Bradstreet's.
Continued activity in nearly all lines Of
distributive trade, but more particularly
al the larger cities of the west, south ana
the far northwest, continues - be the
most favorable feature coming under no
tice. That the demand for dry loods,
groceries. hardware, iron and steel ana
its various forms and building mateflal
is rela tively most active at the vest seems
evident from the slight tons of disappolnt-
ment in reports from leading EASTERN
markets, where business is reported NOV
ing less rapidly than at the interior. Oth-
err Favorable features include inc heavier
foreign demand for wheat ana nour as
indicated by increasing exports over last
week and last year and bank clearlngs
heavily exceeding corresponding PERIODS
of previous years. though smaller imam
in recent weeks. Less favorable features
are few, numbering chiefly a weaker tone
in prices of a fewsstaples hitherto marked
by extreme tirmness, but chiefly perceptl-
Bile in quotations for some makes OF coarse
cotton goods printcloths raw wool, the
demand for which is reported slower than
al any previous time this year, Wheat,
which has been affected by war rumors
and the growth of the impression that
the worlds wheat supplies at present
prices will suffice. coffee and sugar. Inc
volume of business in tfie IRON ana steer
trade is reported very large, with rela-
lively best reports coming from the west.
Pig iron production shows further gain
and stocks a slight increase. The consol-
idation of the wire interests mas been
postponed if not entirely abandoned, as
regards the cooperation OF some OF the
large eastern concerns. but the nope OF
consoliGa,tion has not yet been entirely
given up at Chicago and other western
points Large sales OF copper are a 1ea-
lure and prices are reported higher Ior
the week. as are also the quotations for
indian corn and wheat flour. The indus
trial situation seems likely TO be ilnproV-
ed hy the ending of the New England cot
ton mill strikes. Textile manufacturers
are active at the east, but wool manufac-
turers complain of small profits at pres
ont prices for raw materials. SHOES are
in Better demand at Boston. where coarse
warn cotton goods are weaker, while me
dium or fine grades are flrm or higher.
BUSINESS is generally active at the west.
Southern and southwestern buyers are
more active at St. Louis. Dry gooas, MIL
Iinery agricultural implements. hafd-
ware and building material being freely
called for there Wire nails are no high
or al tbs,t market although mill agents
have been instructed to advance prices.
Kansas City packing houses report de-
mand one-third larger tnan last year:
perceptibe Improvement IN DISTRIBUTION Ir
trade Pig iron stocks do not accumulate,
although shipments are the largest
known An order for lODO tons OF steel
rails is a feature of the week 5 business
IT that civ Trade is of satisfactory vol
ume al the northwest and demand is gen
orally ahead of last year. although MID
weather and a stoppage o. numbering or
erations tend to Discourage business IN
some lines at Duluth. Export business
in flour and wheat from the Pacihc
coast shows a considerable gam Boat
building is active on Alaskan account,
Seattle ports report that the Great North
ern Railway has secured the mail con-
tract formerly held by the Southern Pa
cific. while Spokane reports agricultural
operations in a forward State. with farm
ers at work thirty days earlier than usu-
al Vessel charters are weaker az san
Francisco. good business IS doing al
the south. Chattanocsa reports iron man
pfacturerS active, pig iron sales good ana