The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-02
DUN1S REVIEW OF Trade
Interesting Details OF the Business
Done During February.


New York, March TX. G. Dun & Co. s
weekly review of trade tomorrow VIII
say:
Jobbing trade in groceries. hardware
and iron specialties has further gained
in volume in the east since our last re-
port and retail business has been gooc,
except for a slow movement Of some dry
goods, notably clothing, Of which deal
ers fear they must carry over unusually
I large stocks. In the west and southwest,
however, the season has been satisfac-
tory.
The greatest industrial combination
ever arranged, that providing for the
union of the leading steel interests, has
not directly affected business yet, and
may not do so otherwise than by remov-
ing some of the unnecessary competition
from the industry.
Nominal quotations Of iron and steel
are misleading. According to published
lists it appears that while pig iron has
steadily advanced for many weeks little
change has occurred in finished products.
This discrepancy is due to the figures
fixed by the various pools and associa-
tions, but at which it is impossible to Sc
cure prompt deliveries Actual business
is done at extensive advances over these
prices, binets selling at S21 at Pittsburg,
or more than dollar above the nomina,
rate. while plates, bars and structural
shapes are only available when special
terms are offered. Even en- distant deliv-
cries mills are asking higher figures. and
every line of steel production at Pitts
burg has already covered full contracts
for the next two months. while there IS a
general feeling that material advances
VIII occur before May / Bessemer pig
iron sold this week at S15.25 and Grey
Forge $500, prices that have not been
equalled since early in August. Coke
production is enormous and Connellsville
prices at last show a definite advance
Further increase appears in sales or
wool at the three chief eastern markets
S8300o0 pounds changing hands for the
week, against S.52S.5o0 In the previous
week. year ago the total transactions
were less than half the present weeks
operations There is still no reason to
believe that the heavy buying results
from better conditions at the mills. as or
ders for goods no don't appreciablv ex-
q
manufacturers wer bidding for raw ma
terial largely the decline ia prices would
DE checked. but the average on March
was the lowest since june. 1899.
Shipment Of boots and shoes from B0s-
ton were S7926 cases. against S4s7s in the
week previous and 100 S56 a wear ago.
Most visiting buyers have concluded sam
ping and returned home. Shops have
ample work Tor some time 10 come. and
prices are well maintained Large stocks
Of hides depress prices at Chicago. TAX
ing the average 20 the lowest point since
last October
Curtalment Of production by southern
Tarn mills has become general There
is much discussion Of the ACCESSIBILITY OF
reducing the output or lowering wages
Loss in domestic consumption Of raw.
cotton seems assured and foreign buying
is for fran satisfactory. The position of
this staple is not made firmer by news
that sales q fertilizers eurpass all rec
eds I'm the many southern states
Grain markets are firmly maintained
domestic crop conditions are encouraging
and the best expectation of strength IS
found In Atlantic exports during Febrll-
airy az wheat 07our Included. amounting
70 lo24S94 bushels. against 7.67l 5552 last
year, and 1f72o-162 bushels corn, against
Il 72sf45 tn 1900
Commercial failures in February were
1923 in number and s1L2SLc11 in amount
compared with 1912 IN January with lia
b1t-es os sT22o St1
Il is worthy % note that nearly third
~ the lisb2-.tes IN failures were due 70
single bankruptcy IF a railway contraction.
while not one % the 757 trading default
ers owed as much as 500 en-.