The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-08
ENCOURAGING CONDITIONS
NOTED IN INDUSTRIES.
Unusually Large Fall Distributing Bust.
ness---Coniplslnts Of Slow Move
tnent Arc still Heard.

New York, November 7.-Dun's weekly
review OF trade tomorrow viii say; Trade
and industry are making steady progress
reports from all sections Of the country
containing evidences Of wholesome devel.
opment. An unusually large fall dlstribu-
ting business occurred and transactions IN
heavier goods are larger considering the
miidness Of the seasoh. Complaints Of
slow freight movement are still heard, ties.
tifying to the volume of business handled
by the railways which report earnings for
october larger than. last year, 14.2 per cent
above 1900 1t Is the expectation when
manufacturing plants have contracts as
snriug activity for many months the an.
nual inventories viii be taken with di1i-
Guilty, owing to the mportunate customers.
Prices OF commodities proportioned to con.
sumption, as shown BY Dun's Index Num-
Der, declined ] per cent during October.
80 900. compared With 1O06iS. The de
crease occurred IN meats and fuel mainly
The only development Of note in the iron
and steel market has been the 10 per cent
reduction in price, Of u, tIn plates to take
was anticipated the trude was not pre-
pared for so large a cut. II the recent
lowering Of price lists. In certain sections
of the market should stimulate foreign
trade there will be occasion f1r gratiuca-
tion, as some exceptional export business
is needed to Offset the heavy Imports OF
| pig iron and billets. Many furnaces have
| been compelled to bank because OF the
| poor receipts of coke ana there is little
| evidence of Improvement In the railway
| situation. motive power being utterly in
| adequate. Contracts run far into the flu
! ture la structural material for bridges and
! buildings, plates sought by car works and
! ship yards, High premiums are still paid
| for prompt delivery, but most shipments
are on contracts placed at regular list
/ prices. Recent enlargement of facilities
| has greatly Increased production IN many
! lines which explains the slightly eascr
| tone of the market MS Il whole, but there
| is no evidence of diminished demand nor
I unSound conditions. -
| Taking of Inventories interrupts work at
| New England shoe shops aud will probably
occupy much Of this month, so that cutting
| Will not begin on the large contracts al
ready placed for delivery during the first
| quarter Of next year, Shipments continue
| heavy from Boston, each week OF late re.
| cording a moderate increase over the cor
! responding week,
The jobbing trade Is comparatively quiet
! except In Pennsylvania and mild weather
| has restricted retail sales. Some declines
| In the raw material department did not
! produce any lower prices for cotton goods
although II made buyers all the more anX
ious TO delay placing contracts As re-
| suit the movement Is only for immediate
| requirements, but supplies Of staple cot
tons are not burdensome. and complaints
are heard that orders are not being filled
according TO contract. Export orders arc
limited.
Business In woolens is light and the CHIEF
inquiry being for sample pieces which arc
not delivered as rapidly as desired. Quota
lions are fully maintained for wOolens nnt
worsteds, as might me, expected in view
OF the continued strength Of wool.
Failures not noted