Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-24
TRADE SITUATION.
Most of the Encouraging Feat
ures Are Still Seen.
Machinists' Strike Is Disturbing EIe'
ment, but Possibly Cverestimated.
Best Trade Returns from South and States
West OF Mississippi.

New York, March 23.-Bradstreets
will say, tomorrow: Some few irreSu-
larities are visible in the general trade
and industrial situation, the results Of
the workings of counter currents in
various lines, but, taken as a whole,
the general outlook retains most of
the encouraging features noted for
some time past. Favorable reports as
to retail distribution and as to collec-
tons come from southern. far Western
and Northwestern markets, due to
better weather. Continued good rail-
road earning returns, record breaking
merchandise exports from New York,
with signs Of a resumption Of heavy
shipments Of iron to Europe ana good
wheat ana fruit crop reports, except
from the central West are also fea-
lures. An unfdyorabIe element is the
prediction OF general strike Of ma
chnists, but it is possible that more
than its proper weight has been given
this threatened trouble.
Foreign demands seem likely to play
a most important part in the iron and
steel industries. Anthracite coal re-
fleets the advanced season in weaker
quotations, but btuminouS sorts are in
demand. Wheat and corn among the
breadStuffS have been weaker, reflect
ing expected heavy shipments from the
Argentine and good crop reports from
the South and West. In Wholesale
lines distribution of cotton goods is of
the smallest volume noted for some
time past and interest is concentrated
upon the retail trade. Wool remains
one of the soft spots in the market
and, though a little more business has
been done this week than last conces-
sionS are easier to obtain and price
are quotably lower. Leather returns u
better report than for some time past.
The boot and shoe industry notes some
Improvement in demand and prices,
but remain rather dull. Lumber is
quiet at most markets. Relatively, the
best trade returns are received from
the South and the states west of the
Mississippi
Rather pessimistic trade reports come
from Chicago. but it is noted that for
mer prices for bessemer pig iron are
insisted upon, because foundries are
heavily sold ahead
On the Pacific coast crop prospects
for grain and hay are reported excel
lent. Hemlock leather is higher at
Boston and more is doing in that pro-
duct and in wool at that city. Cotton
goods are quieter at first hands, but
the prices of finished products are slow
~ being worked higher. Print cloths
are slow of sale at New York, but the
weakness in raw silk has disappeared
Paper is less active.
Bank clearings are fractionally
smaller than they were. last week, and
10 per cent. smaller than in this week
year ago but it is to be recalled that
March. 1899. witnessed the recording
of the heaviest bank clearings on rec
ord. Current clearings are A per cent.
heavier than in 1898, and 50 per cent.
larger than in 1897.
business failures Tor the week num-
Der 1872. as compared with 100, last
week, and 49, in this week, year ago.
Wheat. including -four shipments, for
the week aggregate 2,9O3,495 bushels.
against 3746. 1G1 bushels in the CORE
spondinr week of 1899. Corn exports
for the week aggregate 3.123,S4S bushels
against 3.699. $40 bushels in this week,
Il year ago.
SDrine trade is retarded by poor
roads in Canada. but a faIr volume OF
sorting orders is reported at Montreal
and numbering operations are active.
Country roads are heavy and restrict
retail distribution. Toronto reports
that mild weather has helped business
and trade done for three weeks Of March
canal. the total volume done in
March. 4 year ago. Collections are
better than usual. Trade is fair in
British Columbia, and shipments to
the Yukon are beginning. Bank clear
ines in Canada aggregate S27.5S0.376, a
cain of per cent. over last week, but
\ decrease of 6 per cent. from this
week, a year ago. Business failures IN