Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-08
TRADE ACTIVITY INCREASES
Business Conditions Csntihus FsVOrahls in
Spite Of Stormy Weather.
FAMINE EXISTS IN PIG IRON NAEEtT
Unprecedented Demand Exceeds Sup
ply and Efforts Are Made TO Pur-
chase stock sent abroad
Last Year.

NEW YORK, Feb. 7.-R. q. Dun q Co.'S
Weekly Review of Trade tomorrow will
Interruption to railway am and out
door work by severe storms was the only
unfavorable factor in the business situation
during the past week, while manufacturing
activity increased and distributor through
retail channels was undiminished. Reports
from the west are especially encouraging.
but a few southern points are slow to exc
hibit Improvement.
Railway earnings continue their record
cent over last year and 2.2 per cent over
1900. The fourth weeks earnings were
Famine conditions exist in the market
for pig iron. 1t is doubtful whether there
was ever a time in the history OF the nation
when this metal was SO scarce: Consider
ing the fact that production during 1901 was
far beyond all previous records the present
shortage gives indisputable evidence OF the
unprecedented rate at which the mills lave
been consuming.
No Tendency 60 Initiate Prices.
Controlling interests deprecate all tend
encteS to initiate prices, recognizing The fact
that the continued heavy, consumption IS
dependent upon quotations held at a reason
able point. Nevertheless, II deliveries are
wanted before July l it is often necessary
compelled in some Instances to place orders
Efforts are being made to repurchase
evade the duty. German billets are still
arriving. but the market also is advancing.
| Structural supplies are utterly inadequate
and the action Of the Chicago council re-
pealing the ordinance limiting the height
tracts on the market.
Railways are 50 urgent for supplies tia that
';Rb order az , fST ra 4aSo may gG !, abroad 1oR aurb IN tns
that exports of iron and steel fall off.
Shoe shops Generally Active.
Activity. is general at shoe shops. par
ticularly at the west, and New England
factories are shipping at the rate OF 3 pei
are made from the recent advance. but
there are still buyers who prefer to accept
a poorer quality at old prices: Hemlock
weights are In short supply. While some
hides at Chicago are again easier in price,
there is evidence of some improvement In
Moderate supplies continue the best fea-
ture as to cotton goods and there Is. nc
slightly and all lines are firmly held. Elk
porters are bidding for coarse colored cot
tons, but In these. as in most grades, buy
Of the right price. The situation appears tc
favor holders.
Erratic Fluctuations of Cereals.
Compared with the cratic course of the
cereals during the preceding month or two
produce markets have been quiet this week
Dizziness and lack OF special influences
were not productive of former
quotations being stubpornly maintained
- 1Al N88S W - - @aA&AAI ~
pressions of faith in lower prices, with ag.
gressive speculation on the short side
There was no support in Atlantic exports
of 122,963 bushels, compared with 2,97s. A2 &
year ago. Heavy storms curtailed the in
terror movement to 1892, 500 bushels, agains
5,0l6,S86 last year. Exporters of whee'
evince a disposition to wait for easier
terms, but shipments Of old order wer'
4,497, 496 bushels, against 4,230,9S1 a year ago
Among the other staples, cotton received
a little support. Notwithstanding liberia
port receipts.
Final returns of commercial failures dur
Ing January exhibit an exceptionally larg'
number of insolvencies and also al unusua
amount of defaulted liabilities. In manu-
Featuring lines there were 264 failures, in
volvtng $6,3O8, 94S, an increase of 81, 607, S6
over the liabilities last year. Defaultini
traders numbered 1s12O, with liabilities o
s7,1l6,972, an increase OF 112 in number AM
81 1906 1853 in amount. Miscellaneous failure
h M,Ts,.tgI sxceadinn Isnusrv iHeSSfI'OPhr v ten ia !,
number, but showing a decrease OF $S21, a
In defaulted liabilities. #,