Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-23
DUN'S REVIEW OF TRADE.

NEW YORK. March pr. G. Dun
& Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade TO-
morrow will say:
The position of general business is
satisfactory, being marked this week
by increased activity OF retail opera
tons throughout the west and small
Atlantic seaboard cities, which is con-
sidered the lorerunner OF a generally
good spring trade. New enterprise is
reflected in the largest demand for
many months for builders hardware
and general materials and contracts
for prompt delivery of all structural
goods are very difficult to place. Col
lections are prompt and railroad ton
mage is well maintained. Earnings of
ali railroads for the month of March
to date show a gain OF 1913 per cent.
over last year II $3.50 per cent. over
1899. The gains extend to practically
the whole country. The textile indus
try alone does not improve. Short time
has been adopted by Fall River cot
ton mills, L there are reports that
some OF the southern weaving mills are
about to curtail production, but this
mas been without special effect upon
demand for either print cloths or heavy
brown cottons.
Quotations for pig iron and finished
steel tend toward a higher level. The
most conspicuous strength IS apparent
in Bessemer pig, which now commands
SIT at PiutsDurg, while steel billets
have sold at $24, and high carbon bill
lets reached $50. Steel bars are 81 per
ton higher, and structural shapes are
firmly maintained, with every expec-
tation OF, an advance. While these
quotations show moderate gains, much
higher rates are paid for immediate de-
livery and in small amounts. A short
time ago, it was expected that new ore
prices would be much lower, but the
remarkable strength of products will
tend to sustain values of the raw
material. New high records are con-
stantly established for coke output in
the Connellsville region, and prices are
firm. Among the minor metals, fur
her depression in tin was the feature.
The amount OF cotton coming for
ward at the south indicates that pian-
tation stocks are by no means exhaust
ed and preparations for the new crop
promises an enormous acreage. From
the top point of the season the price
has fallen $3.50 a bale and the only
apparent element of strength at pres
ent is the oversold condition OF the
speculative market.
! Footwear is firmly maintained for
staple lines, although high priced
grades are easier. Some decrease in
demand does not disturb producers, as
factories are busy on contracts that
will require months to fill. Orders
for boots have exceeded last years to
date, with trade most active at the
south. Buyers who recently left Bos-
ton are now sending in orders freely.
A special activity is noted in the local
market for patent and enamel shoes.
Leather is in good demand, particular
ly for sole, but quotations are un-
changed, although stocks are light.
Hides at Chicago have declined almost
steadily for two months, the net fall
in the average of ten grades amount
ing to IL per cent. Despite the weak
ness in domestic lines foreign hides are
tending upward. Special reports tele-
graphed to Dun's Review this week in
dicate that the winter wheat crop is
in good condition, and an unusually
heavy acreage was planted at the