The Washington times., 1902-02-01
WEATHER ACTS AS
CHECK ON BUYING
Call for Seasonable Goods
Limits Wholesale Demand.
THE OUTLOOK SATISFACTORY
Commercial Operations Large in
Nolumc-StceI Manufacturers Can
not Keep Pace With 0rders-Raii-
way Earnings.

NEW YORK, Jan. 51.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
THE future may be said this week to
have profited at the expense of the pres
ent. IN other words, current weather
conditions, such as heavy snowfalls East,
West, and North, tend to check buying,
except on purely seasonable goods at re-
tail, and to limit slightly the volume of
demand in wholesale lines.
Sprin: Outlook Improved.
"On the other hand, the covering of the
entire northern half of the country with
a blanket of snow has bettered the situa-
tion of the winter-sown crops, and the
outlook for spring trade as whole has.
therefore, been greatly improved. No di-
minution in confidence in large spring
business is reported, though Southern
trade advices continue unsatisfactory.
Northern and Western buyers are call
ing for deliveries on spring account much
earlier than usual, an encouraging fea-
ture, as indicating that unsold stocks of
winter goods are not excessive. Other de-
velopments of the week are in the main
favorable.
Earnings Arc Satisfactory.
Railway earnings continue satisfac-
tory, a large volume Of general merchan-
disc freight more than making up for the
smallest grain movement reported in
many years. Returns OF pig iron produc-
tion confirm estimates published a month
ago, indicating, as they do. an increase CT
fully Is per cent in production, while the
same time surplus stocks are reported
almost infinitely small.
IrreguIarity in Cereals.
Considerable irregulsri,y is noted in
prices of cereals. hog products, and cot
ton. After the late heavy decline in
prices has come several reactioRary
movements in wheat. which tends 20 dis
courage export demand. Wheat strength
ened early in the week, but weakened
later en- improved winter wheat crop
prospects.
Dun's review tomorrow Will say:
Despite some drawbacks the business
situation continues satisfactory, with es-
pecially good news from the manufactut-
ing centres. Labor disputes are some
what numerous, and low water stopped
mills in parts OF the Northwest.
Special Lines stimulated.
Special lines were stimulated by
seasonable weather. but the same ia
auence affected others adversely. Trans
porting interests were just resuming
normal conditions after the worst con-
gestion ever experienced, when the heavy
snowfall at many points caused further
blockade. Nevertheless, railway earnings
thus far reported for January show gains
OF i0.1 per cent over last years, and
eos per cent over 1909.
Commercial operations continue OF
large volume, as shown by payments
through the principal clearance houses
outside this city for the week
exceeding last years by 12.5 per cent,
snd 1899, the largest previous year. by
i per cent.
Cannot FIJI Az Orders.
Notwithstanding the decrease of so
per cent in sales of stock there was a
gain of % per cent in bank exchanges
at New York over last years figures. and
IA per cent as compared with 1899.
Although manufacturers of steel have
stubborniy resisted imitation of prices
the urgency of consumers has attracted
more importations.
Footwear shops in New England have
large orders for spring goods and are
still busy on seasonable lines, while
weekly shipments continue to exceed
those of last year. Textile mills are well
occupied and the lack of accumulations
in first hands gives strong tone to the
market.
January's Failures.
Liabilities of commercial failures dur
ing four weeks of January aggregated
ST.. .902 ,0O7, of which s5,6S3.392 were in
manufacturing So, ,i35,9S4 in trading, and
s7s2 63I in other strictly commercial
lines. Failures in the United States this
week number 3Gl and in Canada 40.