Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-15
CONTINUE ACTIVE.
Bradstreet's Report on Trade,
Industry and Transportation.
Cold Weather Needed to Stimulate
Business--Great Lack Of Cars.
Lumber Active-Brisk Wheat Demand
Collections Good.

New York. Nov. 14.-Bradstreets. to-
morrow, will say: Trade, industry and
transportation continue active, despite
drawbacks caused by warm weather,
scarcity of fuel and car and motive
power shortage. Cold weather is need
ed to stimulate consumption Of heavy
winter goods from retailers hands. Ac-
tivity with jobbers has been transferred
from regular staple lines to holiday
goods. These latter are in expection-
ally active demands, the outlook being
that distribution far in excess of any
previous year will be realized. More
than usual activity is, however. noted
in spring goods which are being or
dercd more freely than in average
years. This is taken to indicate wide
spread confidence in prosperous condi-
lions, next year. Little or no improve
nent is noted in the fuel situation
which particularly affects iron and
steel manufacturers, many of whom
are reported discouraged by their in
ability to fill orders now on their books.
From all ever the country come COM
plants of congestion of railroad ton
mage affecting the movement of the
leading crops to the eastward and of
merchandise in the West. The dispo-
siticn on the part of the railroads to
recognize the justice Of the requests
Tor higher wages has become more
marked. especially significant in this
respect being the wholesale advance in
wages granted by the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. AS a factor max
ing for Industrial peace, this tendency
is notable. The effect of higher costs
affecting demand is perhaps best il
lustrated By the further falling Off
shown in export trade in october and
the 10 months. This years total of ex-
ports of leading agricultural products
are now below those of any of the pre-
4 ceding four years.
kilograms to Bradstreets indicate
that the movement of winter goods,
particularly clothing is retarded by
warm weather prevailing throughout
most of the country. In the North
west. at the South, in the central West
and at the East the temperature has
not as yet become low enough to slim
uate final distribution. Collections.
except where affected by weather con-
ditions remain exceptionally good and
a large majority of cities report pay
ments fair to good. At Eastern CEN
ters iobbng business has naturally
quleted somewhat. Cotton goods are
firm. despite the slight weakness in the
raw product while wooden goods are
quiet and prices remain firm and the
raw product is very closely held.
The lumber trade is still quite aC-
tive. The outlook is for the end of the
year to find stocks reduced close to the
minimum. The boot and shoe business
is in good shape. Some shading in hides
is reported at Boston. but other mar
kets note little or no change.
Sharp differences are noted in the
iron and steel trade. Talk of over pro-
duction of some finished products is as
marked as ever The cut in the price
Of tin plates is said to have not brought
out as many orders as anticipated.
Wheat was in active demand early,
this week, on export account, the con-
tinent being reported a free buyer
for the first time on the present crop
Corn also noted some improvements in
export demand early. and strengthened
on wet weather west, light receipts and
talk of poor grading. The flour market
is apparently in good shape.
Wheat including flour, exports for
the week aggregate 4,4i0, 100 bushels
against 5,115.555. last week, 1883, 70i
bushels last year Corn exports aggre-
gated 90l bushels against 13O,SE last
week and GO, 924, last year.
Business failures for the week end
ing, Thursday. Nov. 13, number 205 as
against las, last week and 2l3, last year
In Canada failures number 10. as
against "A, last week and so in this
week year ago. Trade is good at
leading Canadian markets.