The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-01
puMs TRADE REVIEW.
Business Is Undisturbed by the Anitatio
OF Political Questions.

Business Is Undisturbed by the Agitation
OF Political Questions. ID,
New York, october 81 n. G. Dun s.
Co.'S Weekly Review tomorrow will say
Speculation depends upon politics, but the
legitimate business Ia not disturbed by the
approaching election. New labor contro-
vcrsies have been settled by advancing
wages and the gradual Improvement in the
supply OF coal has reduced prices aud re-
stored activity In manufacturing. Com
plants are increasing MS to the tardlneSs
OF freight, miles OF 'ars arc studied by the
lack OF motive power, and many roads re-
fuse TO accept future shipments until the
blockades are relieved, Lower tcmpera.
ture has stimulated retail sales OF season.
able merchandise. but frosts came too late
10 seriously lnjure grcnt Number OF proa
ucts, Liberal consumption susfaing quota
lions In most lines. domestic buying being
supplemented By large exports Operating
expenses Of the railways have increased IN
many cases 20 such 0egree that net earn.
ings are somewhat curtalcd, but gross
earnings Tor October thus far exceed last
years by 49, per cent, and those OF 1000
by 1870 per cent.
Unduc signihtance is attached to the an.
nouncement that the Frick company will
not advance next years price for coke
above ~. Although this IS IN line with
NAHfl AtnHtfNHAlNf ANOAIE u ItuNtOE inter-
est6 10 prevent inhhced prices the probable
influence on the outside market viii not
be great. as the bulk Of output will 10 10
the various plants Of the United States steel
corporation. Meanwhile, sales are being
made nt SIG in extreme cases aud tho
scarcity has closed more blast furnaces
The future course Of the iron aud steel
Industry viii be largely Influenced by this
fuel shortage much business being perma-
neutly lost 20 home producers and prices
IA some departments already show the et-
focts OF disorganized conditions Railway
needs have not been diminished. numerous
large orders constantly appearing, while
the pressure for locomotives is causing
large premiums to be offered. Structural
shapes for bridge and ship building are
next In point of urgent demand. Agree
ment ON the tin plate wage scale may Sc,
cure lot OF business that now goes out
OF the country, and some reduction IN
prices Is expected. Wire nails ARE also
cheaper, but as a rule, quotations were
well maintained
New England shoe manufacturers are re.
celving additional orders at fully sustained
quotations ana many shops are assured OF
full operation well into January. supple.
mentary orders for winter goods have de-
creased, indicating that wants will be sun
piled when shipments are made and pro.
duoers are pushing deliveries, In order to
take Inventories Leather is In better de-
mand, with prices firmer. More interest
has been shown In Chicago packer hides NJ
recently reduced prices, but the average
OF oil grades Is again lower. Conditions M
| the cotton mills are healthy scarcity OF
| goods Is general, while there is no dlsposl
| ton TO force transactions. 1t Is early for
| supplementary buying of spring wool goods
and fan trade Is finished SO that these divi
| sons are quiet. Wool is very arm at the
| leading Eastern markets, which are ship
ping freely 10 the mills.
Failures In the United States number %;
| against i9l last year for the week, nnt
! twenty-five in Canada, compared Will
! twenty-one a year ago