The Topeka state journal., 1901-06-22
REVIEW OF TRADE.
Crop News GOOd-VigOrOus Ac-
tiYity at MIIIs and Furnaces.

- -
| New York. June 2.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says:
Increasing distribution of merchan-
disc. particularly in the territory be-
yond the Ohio river. including the far
northwest, is feature of the general
business situation and tells of wide
spread prosperity and confidence.
Railroads are carrying more goods
that may be ciassed as Iuxuries than
ever before, and. IN spite of Wall
streets slightly higher money market.
there is no fear on this score in any
line of legitimate trade. Crop news
continues good. there is less trouble
from disagreements with labor, and the
long laggard cotton goods market has
recovered slightly with the reduction Of
unsold stocks Of print cloths.
Less interruption through labor con-
trOverSies at machine shops makes the
iron and steel industry more fully en-
ployed than in recent weeks, and for
another week there is assurance of Wig
orous activity at mills and furnaces.
In many instances promised deliveries
cannot be made before July 1. and urg-
ent business that is now offered can-
not be undertaken 1t is also noticed
that much foreign business is available,
but manufacturers refuse to make bids
On the other hand it Is stated that
quiet conditions Will soon be the rule
and fires win go out for the customary
case at a few plants, although the re-
QuirementS of railroads and other
known needs are such as to render any
general suspension very important.
Large sales of Bessemer pig reported
last week have since been denied. and
foundry iron is now the faVorfte, eS-
pecially at southern points. No a1tera-
ton is recorded in prices. aside from
moderate reduction in gray forge.
mo decrease is seen in shipments of
boots and shoes from Boston, forward
ings continuing far in excess of other
years, but actual production OF the
shops is slightly reduced. and there is
less new business offered. Quotations
are shaded about 21a cents on a few
grades particularly as to boots, and
seasonable goods as we'll as fall de-
iveries are more quiet. The more for
tunate manufacturers have business to
occupy shops to the end of August.
Local concerns have fair orders from
the west and south for autumn goods
but are otherwise inactive. Leather re-
fleets the decreased needs OF shops,
though heavy stock commands top fig
ures, owing to scarcity.
Excessive stocks of print cloths at
Fall River have been reduced to sur
prising extent since the combination Of
attractive prices and warmer weather
infused a little animation into the m ar
ket- Sales are heaviest of wide goods,
but standard sizes are also sharing in
the enlarged business The rapid
strides of exports to China in the
brown goods division were not without
influence and, taken as a whole, the
cotton goods industry has a more en-
coura ging aspect than at any time for
many months. An undertOne OF
strength was seen in the raw cotton
market on account of greater activity
at the mills, and good foreign buying
also helped TO neutralize the effect OF
better crop news. Improvement in
woolen goods is less pronounced. vet
distinct gains are reported in certain
lines, and q, more hopeful feeling is en-
tertained as to the value OF new orders
about to come forward. No change Is
perceived in wool, and prices remain
barely steady at the lowest figure in
nearly four years.
"A year ago the trade was beginning
to realize the extent of injury by drouth
in spring wheat states, and in a few
days about cents was added to the
price. This year a decline of similar
proportions has occurred unaided by
any startling disclosure. As the sea-
son advances crop conditions steadily
improve and in some states the winter
wheat is being harvested No severe
drop in quotations is anticipated, how
ever. for the crop is by no means be-
yond danger in the northwest, and even
a yield equal to the largest estimate
may be required If the most gloomy
foreign fears are realized. Instead of
raising sufficient for her own needs.
France has come forward as an anx-
ious purchaser, and other foreign ma
tions are dependent on imports to an
unusual extent. In three weeks ex-
ports from Asiatic ports have been TO-
40, ,31e bushels against 1926. 1888 last year
and G, 504, ,262 in 1899. For the last week
the movement from the eastern sea-
board does not show the usual gain
over last year, but Pacific shipments
were $50. 100 bushels. against SAG. ABS In
1900.
Failures for the week numbered 193
in the United States against 174 last
year, and II in Canada against Is last
year"