The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-02-13
TRADE REVIEW.
Severe storms Prove the Only Unfa-
vorable Factor TO business
During the Week.

New York. Feb. S-R. G.. Dun & Co.'S
weekly Review of Trade says: Interrupt
t,on 10 railway traffic and outdoor work
nv severe storms was the only unfavor-
able factor In the business situation our
ing the past week, lille manufacturing
activity increased ana o~istrioution
through retail channels was undiminished.
REPORTS from the west are especially en-
counaging, but a few southern points are
slow TO exhibit improvement. Railway
earnings continue their monotonous record
OF Increase, for January gaining IL per
cent over last year, and 22 per cent over
1900 The fourth weeks earnings were some
what reduced by bad weather. Famine
conditions exist In the market for pig iron
II Is doubtful whether there was ever a
time in the history of the nation when
This metal was so scarce. Considering the
fact that production during 1901 was far
beyond all previous records, the present
shortage gives ~indisputable evidence OF the
unprecedented rate at which the mills have
been consuming. Controlling interests oep-
recate all tendencies to initiate prices. rec
ognizing the fact that the continued heavy
consumption IS dependent upon quotations
held at reasonable profit. Nevertheless,
II deliveries are wanted before July l. II
IS often necessary TO pay a premium, ana
consumers rave been compelled In some In
stances to place orders abroad Efforts
are being made TO r~epurchase iron sent
abroad last year. since that may evade the
duty.
"Fgnal returns Of commercial failures
during January exhibit an exceptionally
large number OF insolvencles and also an
unusual amount of defaulted liabilities.
In manufacturing lines there were 264
failures, involving S6.S0S .9l, an increase
of s.. 607 S64 over the liabilities last year.
Defaulting traders numbered l.I20. with IL
abilities OF s7.1l6.972. an increase OF l72 in
number and 81, 500. l6S in amount. Miscel-
laneous failures were so in number, and
1855, ISL In liabilities. exceeding January.
1901 by ten in number. but showing a de-
crease Of 1891 az In defaulted liabilities"
Bradstreets' says: Trade Developments
this week have been largely favorable. All
the measures OF legitimate trade point to
January equalling in most respects and ex-
cesding In many the records Of a year ago.
Failures. It Is true, were larger in number.
but the Increase was all at the south, from
which trade reports ave been poor. but
show 4 slightly more hopeful trend since
cotton has taken its move upward. The
general level OF prices moved slightly
downward during January. owing to lower
prices OF Observation-Disclosures cereals and
hog products and a heavy decrease In crude
rubber and some chemicals. Most of the
decline In food products has been re-
covered since February /. The close OF the
week finds a confident feeling prevailing
in nearly all lines of distributivs trade.
features In which rave been the enlarged
buying by southern and southwestern job
bers at Chicago. and other western cit
les. The southwestern drought has been
entirely broken by the additional snow
fall. Demand 10 again passing production
In iron and steel. There Is a virtual fam
Inc alike Of crude pig iron and Of finished
products Of steel. Toward the close Of the
week some export inquiry developed in
wheat. The margin in favor Of the cash
article has widened during thu past six
weeks. and the actual stun is really higher
than a month ago. Flour Is in better de-
nand At st. Louis. Corn and oats have
sympathized within narrow limits. Hog
products hsvs advanced with the coarse
grains. and also because receipts OF hogs
have Been small"