The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-07-23
RADsTRETs 5 TRADE REVIEW
AII Conditions Fayorable---The
Future Seems More and More
Safifacfory

New York, July Is. Bradstreet' to-
morrow viii say Weather, crop and
industrial Developments baye been
largely favorable, and coupled with
the greater ease Of money make for an
Soptimistic feeling in trade and specu-
lation. AS stated some time ago and
confirmed by recent developments the
future seems more and more secure,
bnt the Immediate present does not IN
al Instances present SO satisfactory an
appearance.
Warmer weather has continued to
help retail dissributiop but has not In
all cases made up Cor the disadvantage
caused by the heretofore backward
gseasne. With few exceptions summer
resort business has not; eqUailed ex-
pecsaIions.4
sailWay earnings are dattering, June
reports On nearly Loo, 600 miles or
road showing an aggregate gain OF 8
per cent. on last year.
The demand for finished products Of
non and steel has improved, and lunn-
Der seems to be recovering from the
porary depression.
The shoe trade, and naturally hides
and leather, heretofore backward, have
Begun to show a favorable side, and
the strength of wool goods is also
more noticeable.
The eastern fall iobbing trade in
dFy goods is not expected to set In
quite ais early as a year ago.
sTood rowing weather IS reported
throughout the country and corn and
cotton reports are generally more
favorable. The ssoEthern peach yield
has been large and fruits generally
have done well.
Iron and steel trade conditions are
surprisiHgly good, 10 none more so
Ehan the manufacturers themselves,
who as the. middle Of July find their
output for the last half of she year
practically booked. The scarcity Of
pig iron amounts to something ap-
preaching famine owing to re-
s5ricted supplies Of fuel causing shut
down Of numerous furnaces.
Numerous orders for pig iron for the
first half Of next year have been
booked both by northern and southern
furnaces. The position of the latter
has been mneh improved by the setsie-
naent Of the coal miners strike in the
Bs rmingham district. Heavy sales of
finished material are reported at Chi
scago and Pittsburg this week. Bar
iron, structural material, rails and IN
iaet all Of sshe heavier forms note spe-
cial activity. Implement nannfae-
tErers hare been free buyers. Hard
we're has been exceptionally active,
binders material leading Some
western shovel manufacturers report
an unprecedented output and sale of
ssais class Of material. Machinery,
saws and stoves are active at the west.
Pwices note few changes and are at
the top III practically ali lines.
Woelen goods are still quiet at the
east, but the reports as to the cloth
ing business received from western
and southern manufacturers indicate
good Business. Wool is strengthens
ing Eastern quotations are between
55sc higher and the tone is more opti-
rlistic in this trade, helped as it is by.
hrmer prices IN London and reported
drought in Australia.
IS has been a waiting market for cot
ton. the crop position not being as yet
clearly defined enough TO induce new
commitments. a better tone is noted
IN the manufacturing branch, particu-
larly in print cloths, which are said
TO % IN increased inquiry Fall
River.
The industrial situation is better
than it has been for some time past.
Business faiiures in the United States
number174 against 1o5 last week in
Canada II against % last week.