Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-12-26

Every effort is being made by the
merchants in the State to improve the
holiday season. The weather has not
been particularly favorable and the roads
are in only fair condition. In portions
Of the state the snow has so far disap-
peared that runners cannot be used
while in the southern part there is SUI
fl1cient snow for heavy Shedding. There
is more or less interruption in the bust
ness at the present time among the
manufacturers, who find the holiday
season a convenient period to close down
their works to take inventory and to
make improvements and changes. The
fuel question is serious and scarcity of
coal is causing much Inconvenience, and
it is fortunate for Vermont that a good
proportion of the leading industries
depend upon water for running mills,
electric light and other plants. There
is abundance of wood but prices run
high and there is but small supply of
dry wood. No particular complaints
are heard as to collections and in the
main business is of usual proportions
compared with other years.
There is but little snow now in Bur-
lington, the slight fall which afforded
sleighing for few days has practically
all melted. The most conspicuous feat
ure in the business situation is the actlv-
ity among the stores, where a large
Christmas trade is reported. Coal is
pressing needs, but there is no coal of
consequence available for the outside
trade. The manufactures are as busy
as usual at this season of the year.
| In BrattleborO the manufacturing con-
Germs are doing well and retail trade has
| been good for the past week; seighing
is fairly good and wood is being brought
to town on sleds.
Bellows Falls reports the paper mills
busy; the most of the mills use water
for power but they require coal to run
/ the dryers. There has been "a bare sup
ply for the purpose, but it is expected
there will be sufficient coal to keep the
mills running
In Rutland the strike still interferes
somewhat with the shops affected, but
4 business conditions on a whole are rea-
sonably good. The stores are having a
good holiday trade; logs are not coming
to the mills in large amounts, partly be-
cause of the demand for wood, and part
/ ly because of the absence of sufficient
snow for shedding.
Bethel reports manufacturing business
improving; there is no change in the
retail trade collections fair; the granite
industry is growing.
In IIardwlck the granite business at
present is quiet, but II is expected that ii
will be more active after the holidays
the general condition of retail trade is
fair.
st. Adams reports manufacturing in
terests to be well employed; retail trade
is fair. but needs snow to afford sleigh
ing. The fuel famine and scarcity Of
help are the only unfavOrable features.
Farmers find good market at high
prices, but there is no snow for Shedding
and the help is scarce. The purchasing
power of the rest of the community al
this season is reduced by the abnormal
cost of fuel and the prospect is not
favorable in this respect for the balance
of the winter.
Dandy reports all the manufacturing
concerns busy; retail trade fully up tC
the average for the season; collections
fair. Sleighing Is good and is of great
benefit to the various lumber interests
in this vicinity.