The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-08-22
PROMISES WELL.
Fall Trade Opens Actively ana the
Outlook Is Especially SAT-
isfactOry,

New York, Aug. 17.--R. G. Dun e Co.'S
Weekly Review of Trade says: 9TH dis
tribution Of merchandise has proceeded
this week on a steady and satisfactory
scale throughout the east, and in the west
and southwest the relief from the long
drought and heat Is beginning to be re-
iected in a larger retail trade, so that for
the quarter, promise is held out of a
larger business than last year. Crop condl-
tons in the territory most affected by the
recent drought are improving, and the
weather has been highly favorable In near
ly all districts east of the Missouri river,
though rains have interrupted the spring
wheat harvest.
THE steel strike has affected prices ex-
tensively, particularly on sales for immedi-
ate delivery. In tin plates the advance has
been greatest, while hoops, sheet, skelp
and billets are sold at premiums. Quota
tons are too erratic for accurate record,
and in many cases sales are at private
terms. Confidence is steadily shown by
placing of distant deliveries at regular
prices. Consumption has undoubtedly been
further curtailed this month, but a revival
OF exports tends to prevent accumulation.
FAILURES for the week numbered les in
the United States, against ISL last year, and
- IN Canada, against "a last year"
Bradstreet's says: IAN Improvement
alike in tone n in demand is noted in
trade circles this week, and fall trade may
be said to have opened actively. While the
most optimistic reports come from the
northwest, several large markets in the
corn belt send more cheerful reports, based
partially upon a still further improvement
in crop conditions, but likewise the result
of the growth of a feeling that While the
yields of most crops will be smaller than
last year, the prices paid for the same will
De higher and the purchasing power of the
agricultural community as a whole will be
little impaired. Advances in wheat, corn,
oats and hog products support this view.
Weather and crop conditions in the north
west combine to give that section special
ly generous yields and to stimulate jobbing
demand in nearly all lines. Good crops in
the Pacific northwest are also reported, and
the outlook for fall trade in that section is
a cheerful one, the only flaw at present be-
ing the strike confronting the shipping in
terests at San Francisco. Fresh vegetables
and fruits and country produce are scarce
and high in price, and canned goods also
tend higher. Southern trade dvice are
marred By damage afflicted by the severe
storm of Wednesday and Thursday, which
appears to have hurt the Louisiana rice
crop severely, but 1t is not thought to nave
hurt sugar or cotton very much. Timely
rains have improved cotton in the Missis-
sippi valley, and advlces from the south
Atlantic states are of a heavy yield.
THE iron and steel strike shows little
change, but an interesting fact is that de-
spite the lowered consumption growing out
of the strike stocks of pig iron are mailer
than they were a month ago on a compare
lively trihing decrease in production. Chi
cago iron interests are getting much busi-
ness diverted from eastern markets by the
strike. Finished products affected by the
strike are very high, and the position Of
canned goods manufacturers, demand from
whom is active, is rendered uncomfortable
by the scarcity of tin plates. Sheets and
bars are likewise firm. In other lines,
notably structural materials, a large BUSH
ness is going forward, and a heavy demand
for light hardware is reported the country
over" p