Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-10-25
THE STATE OF TRADE.
Comment by Dun's Review on the
Business of the Week.
COKE FAMINE ON INCREASE.
Pig Iron In Great Demand, but
Weakness Noted In Some Lines
Of SteeI-DuIIness of Cot
ton Goods Market.


Co.'S weekly review of trade says:
No better evidence of industrial and
commercial activity is needed than
present inadequate transportation ia
clities. Every form of railway equip
ment from track to Rolling stock has
been increased and perfected during
the past few years to an extent that
appeared almost excessive. vet the na
TONS business has more than kept
pace. Unseasollably mild weather has
retarded retail trade at MANY points,
yet the movement of goods is fully sus-
tanned by undiminished preparations
for future sales. Distribution delayed
by high temperature is not lost, while
the agricultural community will profit
very materially by the hardness of
frost, increasing it's ability to con-
sumo the products of factories and
mills. Labor is more fully employed
than at any recent date, only few
small controversies interrupting.
Coke is still the vital factor in the
iron and steel situation. Not only has
no improvement occurred, but the sup
ply Of fuel is falling further behind,
and the outlook is alarming. II the
railroads cannot get coke to the fur
naces now, it is obvious that traffic
will be further congested when snow
falls. Connellsville ovens are surpass-
ing all records of output. and stocks
of capacity. Colorado coke selling in
Chicago at $3.50 ton indicates the
scarcity at consuming points. Other
wise the situation is practically UNI
changed.
Pig Iron In Great Demand.
Pig iron is In great demand, imports
promising to continue large, and, as
the higher duty on steel may not be
exacted, there is reason to anticipate
liberal movement from Germany,
The demand for rails is so great that
large purchases abroad are being nego-
tiatcd, while practically all railway
supplies find an eager market.
Structural shapes and other heavy
lines of steel are in strong position.
but there is evidence of irregularity in
wire rods and actual weakness in a
few lines that are now offered freely
Tin plate manufacturers are making a
hard fight to secure the large foreign
business done here under the drawback
arrangement, and new method of
production is being perfected that
premises to cheaper the cost. Among
IT, other metals both tin and copper
advanced sharply. but the former re-
acted.
1t Is still conspicuous in the cotton
goods market that buyers are slow to
anticipate future requirements, apInr-
emily having confidence in cheaper raw
material. yet many lines are now be-
low a parity with the raw cotton mar
ket which is supporting element
from the sellers point of view. There
is a steady absorption for immediate
requirements which prevents any &C
emulation of supplies, and the mar
ket must be considered in good condi
ton since it is obvious that much flu
ture business is only awaiting some
thing more definite as to raw cotton.
The Cotton Crop.
Exceptionally favorable weather has
prevailed for developing the top crop Of
cotton. securing late grain and getting
all farm products to market. Another
week without killing frost added ma
terially to the yield. Cotton is moving
freely and there is a tendency to ell
large estimates of the total output; yet,
on the other hand, prices are sustained
by the remarkably heavy exports of
the season thus far and the activity of
domestic spfnners. Erratic movement
of the January option suggests manipu-
lation. which is to be deplored, as any
imitation of prices will check the outgo
and demoralze home mills. The mar
ket is in exceptionally fine condition for
clique operations.
A better movement of corn brought
more rational prices, but the level is
still far above normal, and material
concessions will have to be made before
foreign buyers will exhibit their Gus,
tomary interest. Atlantic coast ship
ments for the week We're Il, 1893 bush
els, against 1,194,OO9 a year ago, while
western receipts We're ., 466.092 bushels,
compared with 2,311 ,916 in 1901.
Wheat comes to market freely, interior
arrivals for the week aggregating
1868, 4S3 bushels, against 6,1S2, 1903 last
year, while exports from all ports Of
the United States, flour included, We're
5,O05,515 bushels, compared with 1884
9SS bushels last year. -' G-.5
Failures for the week numbered 232
in the United States, against 24Q last
year, and % in Canada, compared
with %. 80, .,., : -