The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-07-04
COUNTRY is PROS Porous.
Leading Commercial Agencies Say II
Is UndeniRbly SO-Review of
the Situation.

New York, June OR. G. Dun & Co..
Weekly Review of Trade says: ut does
not follow because bad banking methods
have caused one of the smaller New York
banks to close its doors. with attendant
circumstances, that create discussion in
Wall street, that general business is in any
way affected by or at all responsible for
the trouble. The country is undeniably
prosperous, and with prospect of an album
dant harvest to supply our own needs, and
increasing European deficiencies, the sit
uation Is viewed with confidence. A few
more labor disturbances have arisen, but
others have been settled, notably the dis
pute over the tin plate scale. Some dlsa-
greements in the coal regions at times as
sumes threatening aspect, but the trou-
bles have been local and do not affect the
mining industry. Reports from the coun-
try speak of q continued active movement
of merchandise with the jobblng trade,
and embracing nearly all lines.
THE fiscal year closes with conditions
in the iron and coal industry in marked
contrast to the situation at the correspond
Ing date in 1900. Quotations were then re-
ceding rapidly without stimulating activ-
ity; idleness was the rule at furnaces and
mills and wage scales were under serious
discussion, with employers and labor or
CARNATIONS far apart in their views. This
year difficulty is experienced in stopping
repairs, prices are well maintained and
steady, without unreasonable imitation,
while a successful season makes 1t posi-
BILE for many concerns to avoid controversy
by voluntarily reducing hours or advanc-
ing wages, and evidences of serious disa.
greement are the exception. Construction
proceeds at an unprecedented pace, so that
structural material. builders hardware
and kindred goods find ready purchasers.
Railway facilities are inadequate to han
die expanding traffic and shops are crowd
ed with orders for rev freight cars and
other equipment.
Wheat prospects are further improved
throughout the entire producing region.
More satisfactory to the producer than
evidences of a banner yield Is the failure
of quotations to show commensurate de-
cline, for there is good profit at the present
prices. Foreign needs continue the sus-
taining influence. Corn is supported by re-
ports of injury, and receipts are less than
half last years, but the export movement
Is equally satisfactory.
Failures for the week numbered a4 In
the United States, against 207 last year,
and % in Canada, against p last year"
Bradstreet's says: Trade, crop and in
dustrial developments this week have been
largely favorable, temporarily frmer
money due to July interest disbursement
preparations and slight financial troubles,
due 20 improper business methods not de-
tracing from the generally satisfactory
and confident feeling with which the half
year in business closes. High temperatures
have aided the distribution of seasonable
goods at retail and stimulated recorder de-
mands from wholesalers, although the vol
ume has been limited by small stocks.
Iron and steel show few notably new
features. The price of Bessemer pig has
been definitely fixed for the third quarter
of the year, and no doubt exists that a
heavy business has recently been done.
Foundry pig is rather quiet, and on the
whole is not strong. The machinists' strike
has unquestionably hurt this line of bust
ness, but this trouble appears to be sub
siding, and the settlement of the tin plate
scale, an advance being conceded the work
ingmeen, leads to the expectation that
other branches Of the trade will reach a
like amicabIe adjustment with their en-
ployes. Seasonable weather has come to
the aid Of the corn plant, and that great
staple has made good progress, although
still undeniably backward. Winter wheat
harvesting has progressed under excep-
tionably favorably circumstances, and re-
ports as to quantity and quality confirm
earlier sanguine advices."