Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-04-07
THE STATE OF TRADE.
Inclement Weather Hurts Business In
Many Localities.
OUTLOOK IN IRON AND STEEL
Those Who Looked For Equilibrium
In Market by July / Are Less
HOpeful-Texttles Firm.
Cereals Dull.

New York, April Or. G. Dun &
Co.'s weekly review Of trade says:
Labor controversies continue to be
the only seriously disturbing events ir
the Industrial world, AVID, while many
disagreements have been promptly set
tied, others have appeared to interrupt
production and make manufacturers
conservative about new undertakings
Retail distribution of spring wearing
apparel received a check from thu
more inclement weather in many local
tiles, yet merchandise of most staple
lines is purchased freely, and collec-
tions are satisfactory at nearly all
points except the south.
Supplies Of iron and steel do not seem
in any immediate danger of overtaking
demand. In fact, the prospect of labor
disturbance on May l makes the situa-
ton still more uncertain, and those who
hoped for equilibrium in the market
by July l are less sanguine. Midsum-
mer seems to be the dividing line as to
quotations, prices after July / aver
aging about 81 per ton less than earlier
deliveries, while those few fortunate
sellers of spot material continue to Sc
cure large premiums. Nominally there
is little change in prices, as practically
all new business accepted is for distant
delivery. Pittsburg pig iron is definite
~ higher, however, and large contracts
are still under negotiation between the
lnccar,nr proI,,norc and %bn 1ooItrD
consumer. Coke continues to move a
little more freely. vet prices are fully
sustained. The new list prices of IN
thracite coal became effective April /,
with a general reduction Of so cents a
ton.
In the markets for textile products
there is a distinctly firm tone. Labor
troubles and the high position Of raw
cotton are both factors of strength,
while mills have orders that will &C.
cupy their full capacity for some time,
Although quotations are nominally
without change, the scarcity of availa-
BILE supplies makes it a simple matter
to hold prices. Export inquiry for
sheetings and drills has increased, but
makers insist on higher prices than are
offered in many cases.
The Wooden Market.
1t is between seasons for wooden
goods, and there is the usual quiet ex-
cept where buyers are anxiously look
ing for goods to replace deliveries in
terrupted by the strike at Olneyyille
and vicinity.
No improvement is recorded in condi-
tons at footwear shops in New Eng
land, where only the larger manufac-
turers are able to keep going. Prices
of shoes are unchanged, although buy
ers are holding back for better terms.
Leather has steadied under large pur-
chases of sole and betting butts, with
the additional support of heavy *.
ports. Domestic hides again average
lower.
Widely divergent views as to the crop
outlook resulted in a dull market for
the cereals and only small changes in
prices. Reports Of severe loss by frost
in the extreme northwest indicate that
much replanting may be necessary, but
this does not mean a lower yield. 1t
does suggest that the crop will be more
expensive, however. Drought ia threat
ened ut other points, but traders are
extremely cautious regarding these ru-
n,ors.
Wheat receipts for the week were
but 2,O74,699 bushels against 1857, 1876
last year, while exports from all ports
Of the United States amounted to
$500, O7O bushels, compared with 1926
O37 a year ago. There was not the
customary loss in receipts Of corn,
1880, 800 bushels comparing with 1902
OPT a year ago, but Atlantic exports
were only 204,3 5 bushels against
3,046, S01.
1t is not surprising that cotton is so
firmly held in view of the dispatches
from correspondents of r. G. Dun Il
Co. in the south. These reports indi-
cate small stocks of old cotton and a
decrease of acreage for the next crop,
with smaller sales of fertilizers and a
backward season.