The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-02
BRADsFREET's ON THE WEEK.
Encouraging Reports From Retailers
in the south and West.

NEW YORK. Feb. Bradstreet's'' to
day says:
business. as a whole. has been of a
larger volume this week Cold and
stormy weather mas unquestionably slim
ulajed retail business in boots. shoes, rub
Der goods and clothing and this has aided
in tightening the stocks carried by re-
taiIers as 4 result of mild winter weather
heretofore. More has been doing, too,
in wholesale lines on spring account,
and business in this respect is cIassed as
fair. Reports are relatively better from
the West and South. from which sections
advices are that the total January bust
ness compares well with a year ago
The contrary is reported from leading
Eastern markets, however, and the ag-
gregate done here has not, so far, equal
ed expectations. Trade collections, as a
whole. are fair, the only complaint COM
ing from sections : Lere mild weather
has interfered with the distribution of
heavy goods. Calfskins are in limited
supply.
Measured by The earnings OF railroads,
the volume of the country's business is
certainly in excess OF a year ago while
bank clearings. though. OF course, sweIIed
by heavy stock speculations. show i'm
mense gains, and, in fact, exceed all rec
ords for the first month OF the year.
Among manufacturing industries rather
more irregularity is 10 be noted Foundry
iron is weaker, while some finished steel
products are higher. rToOlens are SLOW
OF sale. and the squeeze in raw cotton,
though temporary has not helped con
verGsrs- who have 10 pay more for their
material, but get TO more for their fiu-
ishcd products
Heavy cuts IN rubber goods point TO
coming sharp competition in this indus
try staple prices are little changed. Cot
ION, pork and white pine lumber are all
higher, but fractional declines are noted
IN wheat. ccTR. -four. oats. lard and tin.
Coffee, staJistlcally considered, is weak,
but The late steady decline appears 10
have been checked for the moment
Foundry pig iron is lower At all lead
ing markets, but the late steady decline
appears to have been checked for the mo-
meEJ- Foundry pig iron is lower al all
leading markets but on the other hand
Bessen3er IS rather frmer, while steel bill
lets actually sell for % cents more per
ton. and there is talk of an advance OF 81
per ton. IN finished products wire and
wire nails are 81 up
Favorable crop news and larger North
bull speculation. have weakened wheat
prices slightly Corn is also slightly low
er on heavy increases in the visible sup
ply, partly miJigated however, by i'm
proved foreign and domestic buying
Special strength has been shown in
raw cotton. due, however. 10 the -specu-
/ Iative squeeze al New York. by which the
price Of spot cotton and the January fu-
( ture was advanced 2 cents a pound This
high price has naturally attracted cotton
I TO New York. some shipments having beer
. made from Eastern mills and the stock
/ which was only y geo bales at the middle
/ Of December. is now fully 100 .G0G bales
larger. Aside from this manifestation
cotton IS rather lever on increased re
ceipts and d disposition to enlarge earlier
estimates.
Failures for the last week OF January
number 22S7 as against PSI last week and
III IN this week q year ago