Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-20
BRADsTREET's REVIEW OF TRADE.
JObbIng Distribution Active and Re-
tail Business Improving.

NEW YORK. Sept. 19.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Jobbing distribution continues very active
and retail business is improving. Now that
the corn crop is practically made and the
only possible changes are those of quality,
the disposition to book fall and winter
orders Is unrestrained at the west and
northwest. At the south the tone of trade
reports is notably cheerful, largely owing
to higher cotton prices because crop ac-
Collections are as a whole good and the
consensus of reports as TO this and as to
money conditions point 10 good supplies
at large. Whatever s~tringency noted, a
condition usual at this time, is limited
largely to the employment of money In
speculation. The claim is made that plenty
of money at the interior and indeed at all
centers for all ordinary purposes are avail
The selling position seems to be the
strongest side of the price situation, except
possibly in the cereals and Agricultural
financial position of farmers enables them
to market their products slowly and no
accumulation Of moment is recorded except
in cattle receipts, which this week sur
passed all records. Notable strength is eN-
hibited in manufactured goods, the textiles
leading in volume of demand and ~
strength of prices, In keeping with ad-
vances of frmness In the raw materials. A
large distribution OF cotton goods is going
on at the west and the hrmness IN the east
ern trade IS notable, in view Of the rela-
lively quieter tone OF demand. Wooden
goods are firm and the mills are actively
employed.
The coal situation deserves notice. The
delay in the ending Of the anthracite coal
strike throws Increased pressure on the
bltuminous product and price, for that
article are now at least ~one-quarter high
than the low point before the strike began.
Anthracite production is slowly but surely
increasing as more mines and miners go
10 work, but the necessities Of some retail
buyers make for fancy prices for what
IS left. A long season at full time viii
be necessary to restore stocks of anthra-
cite TO old dimensions. Hides have eased
in price partly because Of this and also
because of tanners suspending work, owing
TO Improbable business in the finished ma
terial. Leather Is as strong as ever, how
ever, because the shoe business Is good,
being best at the west. Lumber is active
as heretofore and the strength of prices Is
notable, hardWoods being specially strong.
There has been a slight easing OF the car
famine as to coke and coal supplies and
fore bettered. but the eastern mills are
complaining of delayed supplies. Foreign
iron and steel are reaping the benefit and
the foreign invasion OF iron has now
reached the Mississippi. British pig iron
for quick delivery is selling freely at Pitts
burg and Chicago. Foreign steel Is being
bought for mills in the central west and
large quantities OF rails, these for next
years delivery. are being bought abroad.
In finished products. export tin plates.
Americans have about all the business that
they care 20 accept. Rails. plates and the
structural iron are all heavily sold ahead.
The ore trade on the lakes Il as active ns
ever. every nerve being strained 10 handle
the business offered. In other metals the
features are the renewed weakness IN
copper and tin. the boom of the former
metal appearing short lived. Hardware Is