Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30
BRADSTREET'S REPORT
Bank Clearings Largely in Excess of
1901 Cotton Goods Strong

New York. oct. 2i.-Bradstreet' to-mor-
row VIII say of the state of trade:
Favorable features still dominate the
trade and Industrial situation. Some re
duCton in the demand for fan and winter
goods at wholesale is noted but it IS
shown at the same time that the Com-
nleted business in dry goods, clothiu-.
shoes, hats. millinery and a host OF otl %
lines is in excess Of 1901 and precod. 81
years Business on next springs account
tend rather to expand, and similar t..-
dcnCy is now visible in retail bu,iuy~,
particularly at the East whore the fear .'
a coal famine has been removed by Il
actual resumption OF work. The mon, p
situation shows little that Is unfaVoru u.n
to general business, legitimate trad o.
mands being taken care of to the neg {
OF the speculative element.
Fank ClearinCs continue large and in tN-
cess OF 1901, pointing to that years recoit
total being easily exceeded in Agriculture"
lines favorable features are found in IN
steady progress made in the plantus of
winter wheat, to which a larger tuHs
average area will be devoted and IN tl'
good condition OF the plant which is groN
ing at present. Railway earnings couluuo
to show gains over last years exceptional
returns. A deficiency of motor power, 80
less than a shortage OF car capacity Is
noted AT many widely separated cItl.-.
particularly in Pennsylvania the Cent
West and in the Pacinc Northwest. H.
ports as to collections class them as be-
ing generally good, and in some cases bel
ter than year ago.
Cotton goods display considerable
strength, the print cloth market beng
strong and prints and giughams Jobbms
well. Wooden manufacturers are actively
employ ed and they are said not TO have
very large stock at home. Improved
retail trade at the East gives tone to the
entire dry goods market.
Leather is steady and fine tinishings APP
pear to be in good demand for next sea-
son. Hides have displayed some softneSS.
but are steaded by the strength of both
sole and upper leather. Tho lumber bust
ness, while naturally noting some quiet
ing because OF the advanced stage OF tha
season. is still of good volume where
weather conditions permit of the carry
ing out of work. Demand for building
materials continues active. Something i'm
the nature of a shortage in the world
crop of sugar confronts the trade, The
yield of beet sugar appears likely TO p"
heavily reduced and small falling or
in the yield of the cane crop is also notoo.
the net result being a decline of about
10 per cent. from a year ago which has
been reflected in fractional advances of
raw product. While pig iron is trmcr and
the coke shortage continues necesStdtinE
shut downs in the Pennsylvania valleys
and high premiums are paid for i'm
mediate delivery of what little iron is
available steel billets have weakened
The heavier forms of finished materia' =.
retain their former strength. Struct
iron and steel and plates for ship build
ing purposes are ruling strong, but sheets
are duh and slow, while steel rods tend
to weaken and tin plares are depressed.
Hardware retains exceptional activity
both for light and heavy sorts, and con-
siderable sales of builders hardware for
next season are reported at different
markets.
Business failures for the week ending
Thursday, October %, number 1914 as
against 203 last week. o2S in this week
last year l6l in 1900, 2ll in 1899 and 2l9 IN
1898.