Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-15

tivlty is, however. noted In spring goods,
which are being ordered more freely than
In average years. This Is taken to indicate
widespread confidence in prosperous condi-
lions next year. Little or no Improvement
Is noted in the fuel situation, which partic-
ularly affects iron and steel manufacturers,
many of whom are reported discouraged by
their inability to MI orders now on their
books.
kilograms to Bradstreet's Indicate that
the movement Of winter goods, particularly
clothing, Is retarded by. warm weather pre-
vailing throughout most of the country. In
the northwest, at the central west and at
the east the temperature has not as yet be-
come low enough to stimulate final dis
tribution. Most western %centers report
reasonable activity, with jobbers and liberal
spring orders being booked. A heavy vol
ume OF winter goods is moving on previous
orders. Collections, except where affected
by weather conditions, remain exceptionally
good and a large majority OF cities report
Furniture manufacturer are reported un-
able to keep up with orders and hardware
on the Pacific coast shipments of mer-
chandise are very heavy and many whole
salers are behind on orders.
Car shortages retard shipments of lum-
Der:
has stimulated demand for rubber goods.
At the south, except in Texas, warm
weather has allowed cotton to terminate
and be picked, thus enlarging the aggre-
gate o%ut-turn Of the crop quite materially.
At eastern centers jobbing business has
naturally quieted somewhat. cotton goods
are firm, despite the slight weakness in the
raw product. while wooden goods are quiet
and prices remain firm. and the raw prod
uct Is very closely held.
The lumber trade is still quite active. not
w~tthstanding the advanced stage Of the
season, and the only complaint is as to
backward deliveries. Other building ma
terials are quite active.
The boot and shoe business is in good
shape. Leather being closely sold. up, is
firmly held. At eastern markets shipments
are smaller than of late and tend to de-
crease as the period of stock-taklng ar
rives.
Sharp differences are noted in the iron
and steel trade, accordingly as the cruder
or more highly finished forms are consid-
cred. Scarcity of fuel keeps many fur
naces idle and pig iron demand is in ex-
cess of production. Small lots of Bessemer
pig obtainable for prompt delivery bring
as high as $4 per ton at Valley furnaces,
while for next years delivery $3.50 is paid,
an advance of IS per ton over a year ago.
Structural material mills are very active,
being sold five or six months ahead. and
the country's rail production is said to be
practically sold up to September, 1903. tn
cut In TIE price of tin plates is said to
have not brought as many orders as antici-
pated, and merchant pipe prices have been
cut from . to 10 per cent.
The hardware trade is active and wire
and nails, heretofore suffering from over
production, have been heavily ordered.
The flour market is apparently In good
shape. New orders are not numerous, but
the mills are busily employed on old BUSH
ness.
Wheat. including -four, exports for the
week ending November 3 aggregate 4.440,16O
bushels. against 5,15,555 last week, 1895, 7O4
this week last year and 4,052,02O in 1900.
Wheat exports since July ! aggregate lVl,-
5s4, $50 bushels, against 117,lS2,31S last season
and 71,465. 091 in 1900.
Corn exports aggregate 21,9Ol bushels,
against 1905 SAT last week, 629, 924 last year
| and 1876, 914 in 1900. For the fiscal year ex-
ports are 2,2OS, 1872 bushels. against 1S,S77,4SS
last season and GA. GA, 1913 In 1900.
Business failures in the United States for
the week ending November 10 number 200,
as against 14S last week, A3 in this week
last year. 227 in 1870, 1893 in 1899 and 22s I'm
1898. In Canada 10, as against "a last week
and 80 in this week a year age.