New-York tribune., 1902-08-04
at this date In 1901. owing to the drouth. there

at this date In 1901, owing to the drouth, there
is now increasing confidence in large crops, and
tendency to secure abundant supplies OF mer-
chandise. Outside the anthracite mines. labor
disputes have reached an1ica bic settlements. as
a rule. and. according to precedent, the lawiess
demonstration in Pennsylvania promises an
early conclusion of the struggle. It was stated
at the beginning of this strike that the miners
were we'll prepared for long contest. but three
months of idleness have reduced savings ana IN
some cases brought suffering
Heavy imports of pig iron indica te the activity
of steel producers this industry relaxing none
of its vigor despite the difficulties encountered
There is no longer any pessimistic talk OF over
production. buyers placing orders at any DATE
instead of waiting for the concessions desired
and expected. Although contracts for steel
rails run further into the future than any other
product it is almost as difficult to place orders
for other railway supplies, heavy structural
shape oe fine machinery. In somewhat striking
contrast to other features of the market there
is general closing of tinplate mills. Efforts to
secure a lower wage scale in order TO get GER
tain business that now goes out of the country,
proved futile, idIeness evidently being preferred
by the employees This is a commentary on the
position of domestic workers that needs no eluci
dation. Greater activity is reported at textile
mills and shoe shops the only disturbing feature
in these industries being the materials.
Wool, leather and hides have all advanced en-
hancing the cost of production, and the recent
record breaking prices for hides make the out
look for shoeshops somewhat disconcerting.
Improved methods of manufacture have thus far
prevented any advance in cost to the consumer.
and the present price level is striking when COM
pared with earlier years. Since January L, 1888,
hides have advanced sos per cent. leather is
practically unchanged, while boots and shoes
have declined 7.3 per cent.
July will long be remembered among traders
in coarse grain Those who sold large quanti-
ties of corn and oats that they did not possess
were forced to settle at heavy losses, and even
applied for legal protection against the more
skiIful manipulators. Not only the sellers of
paper contracts but all dealers in tangible
grain rejoiced at the end of the month of cor
ners. Fictitious prices and hasty shipments OF
grain to Chicago for delivery against option
sales had demoraIzing influence on both do
mestic and export trade, which may now be
restored to normal conditions. July oats selling
at double the September price shows the abnor-
NAL position attained Wheat was less arti-
fciaIy affected but was sympathetically unset
tied. while this week milling is much smaller
and exports are still limited, although there are
more inquiries at the lower prices. Comparison
with last years free movement shows a large
decrease, but it must not be overlooked that
new records of exports were being established a
year ago. foreign buyers wisely anticipating the
upward trend of prices which occurred later in
the season. Hog packing at the West for the
last week was only half large year ago, |
and these light receipts give little promise of |
lower prices for some time to come.