The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-02-24
urndstreef's Report.

BradStreetS says. satisfactory ad-
vices as to expanding spring trade in
dry goods and kindred lines come from
number of markets. That the aggre-
gate business of the country is of good
volume otherwise, is, however, indi-
Gated by detailed report of increases
in trade as compared with last year.
confirmed by satisfactory railroad
earnings reports, by fair gains in bank
clearings and by reports of better de-
mand for money in commercial chan
nels. A year ago, it may be recalled,
extremely stormy weather was expert
enced, and some effects, notably those
on winter-sown crops, were very I'M
favorable. This year opposite condi-
lions have ruled, and though some talk
of lack of snow in grain growing re-
gions is heard, no widespread damage
from cold weather is yet noted. In
fact, unseasonably mild weather has
been of appreciable effect on industries,
notably those engaged in the manufac-
ture of foot wear, in discouraging sales
of the same, actually causing the shut
down of some rubber manufactures,
and also in the lumber and ice bust
ness. The scarcity of snow in the
northwest will unquestionably affect
the log-cutting season, and a frmer
tone as to values is already perceptible,
Notwithstanding talk of labor troubles
affecting the building trades.
Heavy rains and floods have affected
business and transportation in New
England and northern New York last
week, and cotton and other mills re-
porting lack of water as reason for
restricted operations few weeks ago
by the extremely high level of the
streams from which they derive power.
The foreign demand for iron and
steel seems likely to have a most i'm
portant effect upon prices of the do
nestle product. 1t is conceded that
any important recession in value would
be met by a heavy enlarged export
movement. American pig iron prices
are steadily held, the only weakness
noted being maifested at the east. Con-
cessions in southern prices are claimed
not to extend beyond one furnace. Con-
siderable orders for pig iron have been
placed at full prices, and northern coke
iron particularly has moved well IN
the central west. Steel rails are well
held, fair business being reported at
the west, but plates are weak in spite
of a heavy business. Spring trade
prospects in hardware are good, best
reports coming from the west. The
placing of a large order for copper by
New England manufacturers at 16
cents is regarded as a guarantee that
the price will be maintained. Tin is
higher, having reached 30 cents this
week on improved demand and i'm
proved foreign speculative interest
Some shading in raw sugar prices is
to be noted, Notwithstanding consider
able business done, but the refined
grades are firmly held and refiners in
sist on shorter delivery periods. COT
fee is fractionally lower also, as is lard
and butter.
Wheat (including flower) shipments
for last week aggregate 3,S34,069 bush
els, against 2,902,357 bushels for the
previous week, 2.454,771 bushels in the
corresponding week of 1899, S,0S2,744
DuouCio III 1000 AgL-O5oVo III
1897, and 3,149,012 bushels in 1896.
Failures for last week in the United
States number 1879, as compared with
231 for the previous week, 100 in last
week a year ago, 269 in 1898, 925 in
1897 and 276 in 1896.
Failures for last week in Canada
number 80, as compared with % last
year, 20 in previous week year ago,
80 in 1898 and So in 1897 and 1896, re-
spectively.
Advices from Japan per steamer Cop
tic report that the Japan government
has knowledge that Russia will place
$4,000 troops at Port Arthur within
two years. Japan is apprehensive OF
the move. as Russia could fill Korea
with soldiers in very short time. AS
the matter now stands Japan would
have to dispatch transports to Chemul
po with men, and this would be big
undertaking. Recent concessions have
been made through Korean officials to
large japanese corporation to build
railroad from the coast to the Korean
capital.