Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1900-02-10
state of Trade.

state of Trade.
r. G. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review of
Trade states that this year starts with
much OF the years business already
done and all comparisons will prove
misleading if that fact Is not taken In
to account Last year the certainty OF
great Improvement had come before
the year opened and there was a rush
to get in orders before works became
crowded and prices advanced. This
year the works are already crowded
for months ahead in most lines and
prices had already advanced so far
that recoil had already commenced in
some branches and was thought prob
able in others.
With the exception Of wooden manu-
features the CHIEF industries have met
less new business III January than last
year though deliveries on previous
| contracts have been larger than a year
ago. In work turned out the past
month probably surpasses all others
and rightly considered the fact that
new contracts tor work already we'll
supplied are smaller than last year is
not of itself discouraging. The great
/ burst Of speculation last year swelled
! January payments through clearing
| houses far behind those of this year at
New York and such payments at other
| (540) cities also averaged per bust
ness day shade larger than this year.
But much greater decrease must have
appeared IN transactions connected
with the formation OF new companies.
Wheat rose ! cent, but soon reacted.
| Atlantic exports, l,462,462 bushels
(hour incIuded) for the week, against
GAP .436 bushels last year, had more in
1luence than the decrease In eastern
receipts which have been for the week
43 per cent AND for FIVE weeks 40 per
cent less than last year, while the de-
crease in Atlantic exports for five
weeks has been 81 per cent. Pacific
exports have been 4 209 800 bushels in
five weeks against 3,670.s54 bushels
last year.
Speculation il cotton has raised the
price TO S Ia per cent without improve.
ment in demand The receipts from
plantations still fall so far behind last
years that low estimates of yield are
expected.
Wool is rather weaker in some
! grades, but stronger in others, so that
| the average Of quotations is ready, not
withstanding some sales at conces
siOns. The mills which have taken
extraordinary orders for the heavy
weight season without afterwards look
ing for wool obviously have on hand
| large stocks, SO that the market de-
| ponds upon the snfleiency of the sup
plies they hold. The goods are rising
little but are relatively lower than
| the material.
Boot and shoe manufacturers have
passed all records ID deliveries. nearly
| 20 per cent beyond those of January
! last year, but new orders have been
greatly restricted Recent sales OF
hemlock sole and Of rough white hides
a. Chicago continue their gradual de-
| cline.
The iron and steel industry is so far
tied up by contracts reaching through
most OF the year that production ex
ceeding consumption is felt only In
some instances A little lower prices
have been made for foundry iron in
| considerable transactions though Bes.
semer does not yield, but steel billets
are offered by Pittsburg $3S per ton
The difference between producers and
some of the largest consumers of steel
| blocks the market
| Failures for the past week have been
| 232 in the United States, against 224
last year and 50 En Canada, against %
| last year.