The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1901-03-29
TRADE REPORT.

kNGN lOl ItDOll lOI d.
last week is as follows:
Trade was still octive, though per-
haps not so buoyant as in weeks past,
partly owing to the natural subsistence
of the spring demand at wholesale and
partly because of the interruption to
demand shipments by snow and rain
storms in the northern half of the coun-
try. Trade comparisons with earlier
years favor the present season, as may
be gathered from the exceptionally
good railway earnings and the enor-
nous increase in clearings, some OF
which are no doubt explained by the
preparations for large financial opera
lions, and the immense speculation in
stocks which has resulted in new price
records for many securities. South
western advices are especially cheerful,
and farmers in that section hope to re-
peat or even improve upon the good re-
suits of last year.
Textiles are still the sore spot in the
trade situation. Wool strengthens as
cotton weakens. Old lots of wool are
well closed out at Boston. Prices are
no higher. but cut prices are no longer
evident Silk goods are the best stu
ated of all and the raw silk market is
healthy.
Iron and steel are strong and even
buoyant, but as in times past the west
ern trade displays the greatest activity
and the most strength, while eastern
markets have rather Jagged behind.
Chicago and Pittsburg display great an
imation and central western mills are
crowded with orders Furnaces are
sold ahead to July l, and prompt deliv-
cries command premium. This
weeks coke production is the largest of
the year and higher prices are predict
ed. Ore will not sell much lower, the
buying of the leading mines by the
great steel combination ueing a support
ing feature. Export business is quiet,
but enterprising Americans are still
securing fair orders for finished mater
ial, notably rails and structural work.
, The other metals are fairly steady ex-
! cept tin, which is slightly lower.
War talk induced some short cover
ing in wheat last week, and flour
strengthened on better demand, but
ClOp ltpOllS WclC III lllC uudlu ldNOld-
: BILE. Corn has been in good export de-
. mand but is held down by the increas-
, es in supplies, weather at the west keep
ing good The strength of hog products
and higher prices for live hogs has re-
suited in talk of corner being worked
in May delivery at Chicago. Present
prices.are best recorded for years past.
Sugar has shown some recuperative
strength and fractional gain is noted
after the late marked decline.
Returns from sample orders of shoes
are coming in in good numbers at Bos
ton and help to dispel whatever uncer
tainty may have existed among manu-
facturers as to the outlook. Shipments
are increasing, those for this week eX
ceeding last week and a year ago
| though still nearly 10 per cent below
year ago for the season. Heavy leath
ers are in good demand at all markets
and lightweights, though quieter, are
l not accommodating.
Wheat (including -four shipments
e for last week aggregate 3,S56,644 bush
I els, against 4,693,939 bushels last week
i 1908, 495 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1900 and 3,746,761 bushels in
1899. From July to date this season
wheat exports are 146,62S,10 bushels
against 144,22O,9O1 bushels last season
and 1SO,975,5O2 bushels in 1S9S-99
Failures for last week in the United
States number 231, as against 207 the
: preceding week, 1872 in this week year
!. ago, 1872 in 1899, 215 in 1898 and 221 in
, 1897.
l Canadian failures number IA, as
. against % the week before, 29 in last
a week a year ago, 33 in 1899, 20 in 1895
u and 221 in 1897.
S