Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-15
DUN'S REVIEW.
Outside of Massachusetts La
Dor Troubles Are Few.
Textile Products Rising, Owing to
Reduction Of Supplies.
Little Export Business-Footvgear
Quiet-Failures Light.

New York, March 14.-R. G. Dun &
COS. Weekly Review of Trade, tOmOr-
row. will say: Business in Boston was
completely paralyzed by the strike of
freight handlers and teamsters, which
directly affected 10000 men and indi-
rectIy rendered other thousands idle by
holding back supplies of raw material.
Fortunately this struggle was brief.
but another will begin, Monday. at Fall
River mills and other textile plants in
that vicinity.
Outside of Massachusetts, however,
the labor situation is exceptionally
free from controversy. Distribution of
spring merchandise is making rapid
progress, the most sanguine expecta-
tons being fully realized in all sections
outside the strike area.
Effects of bad weather are shown in
railway earnings, for the first week of
March only 1.3 per cent. larger than
last year. while there is an increase of
14.4 per cent. over 1900. Full returns
for February exhibit gains of 81 per
cent. over 1861 and 1876 over 1900.
The slight loss of 10 per cent. in
bank exchanges at New York is fully
accounted loT ny Tie uecIcdSe III VOL
ume of speculation, while compared
with 1899 there is a gain of SO per cent.
At other leading cities the activity in
trade is shown by gains of 1876 per cent.
over last year.
Consumers of iron and steel products
are still anxious regarding conditions
during the next three months. After
July 1 it is believed that deliveries will
be ample.
Labor disturbances have tended to
strengthen the tone of textile products
by reducing available supplies which
We're already none too large. All divis-
ions of the cotton goods market are af
fected. and an advance in quotations
will inevitably follow any protracted
interruption to manufacture and trans
portation, owing to the healthy con-
sumptive demand. Export business is
still. wrecked by the firm views of hold
ers. Complaints are also heard as to
the delivery of wooden goods, but trade
is only fair and cancellations of orders
for overcoatings are frequently report
ed. Footwear is quiet. Leather is dull
and hides generally weaker.
Cotton was pulled both ways; light
receipts, reports of almost exhausted
stocks at the interior, ready purchases
by Southern spinners and fairly well
maintained exports bringing the up
ward influences, while talk of reduced
time at Lancashire mills, the impend-
ing strike at Fall River and general in
terruption to traffic in New England
initiating against the staple. Mild
weather stimulated the production of
eggs and there was a severe break of
II cents.
Liabilities Of commercial failures
during the first week of March were
remarkably light, aggregating only ST.,
379,2SO, of which s4S2,25O We're in manu-
featuring lines, and s741,S59 in trading.
Failures for the week were 232 in the
United States, against 209, last year.
and "a in Canada, against 33 in 1901.
OF Canadian trade, Dun's Review
says: st. John reports a fair volume of
business in hardware, dry goods and
provisions. with prices of staples well
maintained. An early spring is expect
ed and fishing gear is in brisk demand.
Lumber markets continue to improve.
A revival of trade is reported at Hall
fax. spring orders coming in fairly, but
paper is being renewed more than
usual. Large profits have been made
by the sharp rise in steel and coal
stocks. Breaking up of winter roads
retards business to some extent at
Montreal and collections are also slow,
but the general situation is considered
sound. Spring goods move out briskly
and dealers in heavy merchandise
await summer freight rates to dispatch
the large orders on hand. At Quebec
also the bad roads retard trade and
collections. but the outlook is bright.
Manufacturers at Toronto are unable
to fill orders, the volume of trade is
larger than a year ago, and prospects
are encourag ing