The Washington times., 1902-01-25
SPRING TRADE
GROWS LARGER.
Western Jobbers Report Ac-
tivity in Dry Goods.
IRON And STEEL UNCHANGED.
Textile Markets Quiet-NO
Reckless BuOynncy.

NEW YORK, Jan. 24.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Events OF the week have been largely
favorable, notable among these being the
continued steadiness of general prices,
though cereals have weakened slightly, as
reflection of continued liquidation, ac-
CELEBRATED this week by the arrival of
much-needed snow in the western half of
the winter wheat belt. a further oxpan-
sion in spring trade at leading jobbing
centres, renewed interest by exporters in
wheat. though irregularity in prices still
tends to discourage heavy trading, while
the slight Strengthening in cotton prices
is based largely on continued confidence
in future values and the very heavy ex-
port movement now going on, shipments
for the season being nearly 500, 600 bales
larger than year ago.
Activity in Dry Goods.
Railway earnings still fail to confirm
bearish predictions, and the improve
ment in the car situation in January does
not seem to have been at the expense of
receipts. Clearings are smaller than
var ago, because speculation is at a very
low ebb, but distributive trade is prob
ably larger even than that of a year ago
Western jobbers report special ac-
tivity in dry goods, clothing and shoes,
examples of this being advices from Chi
cago that the dry goods business booked
exceeds last year, and that a liberal
business is doing in spring and summer
goods.
Iron and Steel Strong.
The strength of the iron and steel
riyefS
the surface demand is quieter and the i'm
provement in the car shortage situation
makes for a larger production. The
large business booked renders consumers
and producers alike easy to the out
look
Business failures for the week number
292, as against 291 last week and PSI in
this week last year
Dun's review tomorrow will say:
Retail trade is of immense volume,
and jobbeTs have immense spring orders
to fill. Western cities send the most sat
isfactory returns but nearly all sections
are enjoying wholesome activity, even the
South showing evidence of improvement
Wages Voluntarily Advanced.
Wages we're voluntarily advanced at a
number of manufacturing plants, hours
reduced at others, and, aside from the
teansters' strike at Boston, there were
few labor controversies, while skilled
workrhen are in greater demand than
supply. With gratifying persistence rail-
way earnings continue to grow.
Conditions in the iron and steel indus
try are shown by record breaking pro-
duction at many plants and rapid in
crease OF facilities at others. When or
ders for rails cannot be taken because de-
livery is desired before the last quarter of
the year it would seem that new figures
of output were assured for 1902.
Textiles, Cotton, and Wool.
Textile markets are quiet, both buy
ers and sellers showing a disposition to
wait, although reports of the jobbing
trade are most favorable, except at some
Southern points.
Cotton mills are busy as i rule, but
uncertainty as to the future of the raw
material tends to unsettled prices. Wool
en- mills are working overtime, and have
much business in sight.
Hides are still declining especially for
imported goods.
"Fesitation is general in the markets
for staple products. There is no longer
the reckless buoyancy SO conspicuous a
short time ago."