The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-19
TEXTILES SHOW MORE LIFE
Export inquiries Few But Manufac-
,s:Sas:. ss,:asz turers Are UncOnCerned.
MODERATE INCREASE IN PRICE OF WOOL
Dunn & Co.'S Weekly Review Shows improved
Business Conditions. Failures Tor the
Week in the Uni ed States 325
tg4lnst 242 Last Year.
(By the Associated Press.)

New York. Jan. lS.-R G. Dun & Co, s
wecl3y Review of Trade tomorrow will
say
'In most directions the conditions Of
business have improved slightly this week.
Prices OF stable commodities are steady
as are most manufactured goods Orders
to manufacturers are sustained in vol
ume, and that pronounced easy money in
the interior is still stimulating business
is shown by bank exchanges at leading
cities outside New York. for the week
14.2 per cent. larger than in 1900, and
IT'S per cent above 1899. AT New York
the record is q gain OF 77.3 per cent. over
1900 and 37.3 per cent. over 1899. Retail
trade has not declined as much as usual
since the holidays. Textiles show more
life small but steady Improvement In
the demand has appeared, and in the cot
ton goods division II is the more note
worthy because OF the weakness in the
raw material. Sellers Of both staples and
fancy cottons are able to maintain po-
sition OF independence
"Steadiness is the chief characteristic
Of the iron and steel industry The past
week has brought no new developments
Of striking importance and quotations are
unchanSed There Is notable lack OF
net contracts covering large operations.
but many small orders are placed, and
mills are well occupied on old business
that in most cases will take months TO
complete. even il nothing further offers.
On this account there is no urgency about
securing orders. and no concessions are
made by leading concerns. Export in
quiries are fewer but manufacturers ex-
hibit no concern on this point. Work
is so vigorously prosecuted at the fur
naces that demand for fuel increases and
coke production in the Connellsyille region
expands. Coal also moves more freely
at Pittsburg, delayed shipments being
hurried forward with the aid of high
water There is still some uncertainty
regarding the proposed tube and sheet
plants, and action by the Carnegie Com
pany is awaited with interest.
another moderate increase occurred
in sales OF wool at three chief eastern
markets raising the total for three weeks
to 1882, 800 pounds There Is still
heavy loss compared with preceding years,
for in the same period last year the to-
tai was II 920, 500 pounds, and 16,495,SO0
two years ago; 22,332, 27O in 1898 and 49,
$50, 200 in 1897 These figures give good
idea of the present dullness in this
industry.
"The raw material for the other leading
| textile industry has been IN less salts
factory position owing to depression In
the yarn market, which caused the asso
citation TO recommend reduction in out
put by one half. Large estimates of the
cotton crop also assisted the decline.
Boot and shoe shops are. as a rule.
we'll occupied but IL is noticed that busi-
ness is unequally distributed. Statesmen
| furnish moderate orders from the West
and South, although the rapid growth OF
manufacturing at interior points has ex-
erted a perceptibe influence in New
England sales Sales of leather are Of
only moderate volume and much below ex-
! pectations OF holders with no speculative
| operations.
Failures for the week were 325 in the
United States, against 242 last year"