The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-08-01
The Weeks Volume of Business.

4le week volume OF Business.
After number of days of serious
weather conditions in the corn and
spring wheat States, advices of lower
temperature and moderate rains came
as a great reliefto business throughout
the country. Spectators, whose ex-
pressions of fear for the interests oi
the country were becoming daily
stronger with their success in depress-
ing values of securities, were brought
up sharply, and were disposed to con.
slider more fully the general undoubted
prosperity. Labor matters took on a
more hopeful aspect. Retail trade in
the West from Chicago to Omaha has
never been better in the summer seas
on, and in view of this condition It is
not surprising to find railroad earn
ings for half of July 1913 per cent. in
excess of last year and 25.o per cent.
over 1899.
A fortnight Of the steel strike has
passed without materially altering the
position of the contestants, or adverse
ly affecting the industry as a whole.
Instead of spreading to mills all over
the country, as threatened by the labor
leaders, the controversy is confined to
a comparatively small number OF
plants, and most OF these needed an
opportunity to make repairs. Ex-
ceptional activity is noticed at mill
not affected by the strike, and the
movement of structural for bridges,
buildings and track elevation is still
heavy. Steel bars for agricultural
implement makers are firm in price
and freely purchased. Railways seek
freight cars, and rails are sold for de-
livery next January. Cotton ties,
sheets and hoops are commanding a
premium. Pig iron is accumulating,
but producers offer no concessions.
Orders for tin plates were not accept
ed for delivery before October Ist,
when the strike began, owing to the
over sold condition of mills, and dis
tant contracts are still taken at un-
changed prices, but jobbers are receiv-
ing high prices for goods deliverable
Immediately. Tin has fallen to the
quotations prevailing in May, owing
to the lack of demand here and weak
ness in London.
New lines of wooden goods for de-
livery after October Ist opened at
moderate reductions from last year 5
prices, as generally expected by the
trade. Supplies of heavy weight goods
have been reduced to a satisfactory
point, and the situation in all branch
es of industry is such as to engender
confidence. Raw wool, however, thus
far fails to reflect the Improvement,
quotations remaining unchanged al
the lowest average price in four years.
A few of the most expensive grades
are held above former figures, and the
bulk of the new domestic clip has gone
into the hands of spectators, who
await profitable terms. Cotton goods
are dull, neither buyers nor sellers ex-
hibiting any eagerness to make prop
ositions. Withdrawal of prominent
concerns from the Fall River Selling
Committee suggests lower prices for
print cloths. Mills are not fully EN-.
ployed either north or south. Quiet
conditions in the domestic manufact.
ure, light exports, and better weather
on plantations caused further depres-
sion in raw cotton.
Shoe shops are producing at tul
capacity, with orders arriving steadily
and statesmen are already placing
spring samples literally in western
and southern markets, Business I'M
proves as the season advances, and
local jobbers report July trade in eX
cess of the corresponding month in
any previous year. Sales of summer
goods have surpassed expectations
and wholesalers are endeavoring tc
secure prompt delivery from manufac
turers to replenish depleted stocks
An unusually large number of buyers
are in the Boston market. Prices are
unchanged, the higher quotations fol
leather preventing even the smallest
concessions. Union sole shows the
most strength, and buying is for con
sumption rather than speculation
Betting butts are well bought up, but
upper leather is more quiet. Dry
hides are still in light demand, witt
values firmly held, while few grades
of Chicago country hides are lower,