The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-02-22
is SATISFACTORY
Every Indication Points to Excep-
tionaIIy Fine Prospects In
business Circles.

New York. Feb. 17--Bradstreet's says:
unsatisfactory advices as to expanding spring
trade in dry goods and kindred lines come
from number of markets. That the ag-
gregate business of the country is of good
Volume otherwise is, however, indica ted
by detailed reports of increases in trade
as compared with last year, confirmed by
satisfactory railroad earnings reports, by
falr gains in bank clearings and by re-
ports OF better demand for money in COM
nerelal channels. year ago, it may be
recalled, extremely stormy weather was
experienced, and some effects, notably
those on winter sown crops, were very I'M
favorable. This year opposite conditions
have ruled and though some talk of lack
OF snow in the grain-growing regions is
heard, no widespread damage from cold
weather is yet noted In fact unseason-
ably mid weather has had an appreciable
. effect upon several industries notably
those engaged in the manufacture of foot
wear, In diScouraging sales of the same,
actually causing the shutdown of some
rubber manufactures, and also, in the
lumber and ice business. The scarcity of
snow in the northwest will unquestionably
affect the log cut this season, and firmer
tone as to values is already perceptible,
Notwithstanding talk Of labor troubles af-
fecting the building trades. Heavy rains
and floods have affected business and trans
portatioE in New England and northern
New York this week.
THE foreign demand for iron and steel
seems likely to have most important ef-
feet upon prices of the domestic product.
1t is conceded that any important recess
sion in values would be met by a heavily
enlarged export movement. American pig
iron prices are steadily held, the only
weakness noted being manifested at the
east. All the cereals are stronger on the
week, due to improved statistical condi-
lions, reiterated English damage reports
and advices that the Argentine crop will
not be as large as expected"
r. G. Dun & Co, in their weekly review
Of trade, say: Business continues larger
than ever at this season in amount of pay
ments, and on the whole as large as ever
In retail deliveries; though new transact
lions do not vet give assurance that 1t will
hold at the same rate. Conditions affecting
new orders and contracts have changed
in some respects most favorably while
other changes tend to restrict operations
for time, but a conservative Judgment
of the conflicting tendencies appear TO
warrant strong hope. Important branches
of business are hindered by labor troubles,
of which the building trade strike at Chi
cago affects the greatest number OF con-
tracts for Industrial products, and the
labor and wages of the greatest number OF
men. circumstances do not yet promise
It's speedy ending, and in some other
branches of industry prosperity and adj
vancing prices seem to have rendered con-
troversies more frequent. But in other
branches declining prices, or such decrease
of orders as may lead to stoppage Of
works, have an opposite tendency.
1.-THE suit of Mr.. Frick against the Car
negie company to obtain an accounting
and settlement discloses enormous profits
made when prices of steel products doubled
last year. but when peace was kept by the
gigantic iron and steel combina tons. That
results of great Importance may spring
from a contest affecting the control of so
many iron works is evident. The new sheet
company has united ownership of 100 mills,
ii is said, but four widely-known concerns
controlling 65 mills refused to join.
Failures for two weeks have been Sc, $751;
10; manufacturing, 81, 3S6, 2S3, and trading,
$685. 800. Failures for the week have been
AS in the UNI u States, against 17S last
year, and AZ an Canada, against IS last
YEAR,