Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-11
TRADE CONTINUES ACTIVE
Dun'S Agency Finds Fuel Shortage Not Yet
Injurious to Trade.
SHOWS STRONG INDUSTRIAL POSITION
Railroad Earnings increases and Rus
mess Failures Are Less Than
Those Reported Last
Year.

NEW YORK, oct. lO.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review OF Trade tomorrow will
say:
Favorable symptoms stnl predominant
and the business outlook is encouraging
despite the adverse factors OF labor con-
tIoversies, fuel shortage and tight money.
That these drawbacks have not seriously
checked Industrial progress t~estities to
the strong position attained during. recent
months Of uninterrupted activity and grow
Ing confidence. Manufacturing plants de-
pendent upon steam for motive power are
finding profits curtailed by the high prices
OF fuel. and unless normal conditions are
soon restored Il will be necessary to secure
better. quotations for products. The prob
lem Of adequate transportation is also dis
turbing, as there Is already congestion in
the coke region.
When anthracite coal mining liz fully re-
sumed and shipments attain expected d.
mansions the railroads will find great diff
Guilty In meeting all requirements despite
vigorous efforts TO increase facilities.
Railroad earnings In the west were %
per cent larger than last year and a02 In
excess of 1900. Dun's index number of COM
modify price proportiOned to
was $lO0,64S on October !, an advance OF
Al per cent compared with the position Of
September l.
It is certain that all records of pig iron
production would be far surpassed II coke
cculd be obtained. even at the exception
ally high prices now prevailing. Hence re-
ports OF active furnaces measure the avail
able supply OF coke rather than the demand
Imports continue on a liberal scale. al
though new rulings as to tariff rate checked
arrivals OF steel billets. Railway equip,
ment is still the most active feature of tho
market car shops seeking material, while
orders are placed for far distant delivery
because early shipments are possible.
High premiums are offered for locomotives,
but works have their books filled we'll into
next year. Last weeks reduction In prices
OF sheets and wire has not been followed
by any in other branches, while
an improved demand il reported in the
lines making concessions.
Shipments Of footwear from eastern shops
continue on a large scale, comparing ia.
vorably with the movement a year ago,
which was considered exceptionally heavy.
Further sales OF heavy goods for winter
wear are reported and shipments Of fall
already placed assures activity at the fac
tories for some time and buyers have paid
higher prices for calf boots. Most varie-
ties of sole leather and betting butts are
weaker, while other divisions of the mar
ket are sustained by liberal purchases,
partly for export.
Hides are dull and weak, with the larger
buyers out of the market, and as the season
advances the quality deteriorates. Mills
In New England are preparing to shut
down on account of the fuel shortage and
the market for goods Is strong before sup
plies are already limited. Jobbing sales are
fully up to the average for the seasons
and collections are satisfactory and uncer-
tain, as the future tends to restrict under
takings. Conclusion of the opening pur-
chases OF woolens has brought a quiet mar
ket for spring weights and there is only a
moderate demand for heavy goods for
quick delivery. Complaints are still heard
as to the delay in the movement Of sample
pieces.
Failures for the week numbered PAS in the
United states, against 21 last year, and q
IT. Canada, compared with "a a year ago.