The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-29
BIG BUSINESS DONE
Dun Makes Another Very
Cheerful Commercial Report.
IN THE STEEL INDUSTRY
Everything Is Booming and
Labor Troubles Adjustable.

New York. March 2s.-R. C. Dun's
weekly review of trade tomorrow will
say: Favorable weather greatly facili-
tates Easter retail trade, the volume Of
trade and transactions in all lines Of
wearing apparel being OF exceptional
magnitude. Activity was by no means
restricted to the specialties. however, the
general distribution Of merchandise ex-
ceeding that Of previous seasons with
prices well maintained. A distinct evil
dence Of the vigor OF legitimate trade is
found in the decline Of only PA per cent.
In bank exchanges at New York not
withstanding the fact that transactions
at the stock exchange were not more
than third Of those in the correspond
ing week last year while at other lead
ing cities clearings exhibited a gain of
9.s per cent over last year and 31.5 per-
cent over 1899.
Demands for an eight hour day after
May 1 by the blast furnace man was
the most disturbing feature IN the iron
and steel industry, and this is not causing
much alarm as an agreement will prob
bly, be reached during the Intervening
month. Production is now beyond all
previous records and the movement Of
coke is ample although the early opening
Of lake navigation may withdraw some
OF the transporting facilities which can
not well be spared. Buying has been no.
tably active in bars for implement max
ers and producers have sold their entire
output so far ahead that new business is
not sought. Many plans for immediate
SIR
owing 70 the insufficient supply of avail
able material. On the other hand there
are reports OF reselling contracts for
rails and other supplies by consumers
who have secured larger deliveries than
viii be needed. The appearance Of this
speculative element would be ominous If
quotations were moro excessively inaat-
ed. Aside from the advance in bar iron
al Pittsburg to $50 and foundry iron at
Chicago to $3.50. There are no important
price changes. southern furnaces pro-
ducts having decided to postpone the
contemplated advance.
A severe reaction occurred in cotton,
due entirely TO tho excessive speculative
purchases which made the market top
heavy. a slight recovery in coffee from
the bottom price must be attributed 10
aggressive option buying as the statistical
position is not improved Brazil receipts
exceeding last years high record TO date
by over a third. a temporary reduction
in refined sugar was quickly restored as
the market for raw grades became very
strong. Meats again advanced in the face
easier grain, a helpful influence being
the largest single order ever placed for
British army.
Weakness appeared in the cereals early
in the week when there was a certain
unanimity about encouraging weather re-
ports and increased acreage Subsequent
" there was partial recovery owing to
less cheerful news from Kansas and Ok
lahoma. but the net result for the week
was a decidedly lower range Of prices
Wheat exports materially declined from
the satisfactory record Of 4657. SIS bushels
last week to only 9,0Ss 642 bushels this
week. which compares with 3.936.S32 in
the same week last year. There was A
decrease in western receipts TO 7,09i
bushels against 4o52.50s a year ago. but
the difference in arrivals OF corn was
less striking; 1876 064 bushels against
$50. 91s n year ago. Atlantic shipments
of the minor cereal were only rs ga
bushels compared with 2.94s.4S1 in 1901.
According to an analysis Of the official
returns by a Liverpool authority there
viii be only 1900. 900 bushels Of wheat in
this country at the close OF the crop year.
but the statement is based on exports
from the last four months Of half as
much as the record breaking shipments
OF the preceding eight months which is
extremely improbable. further altera-
ton in the figures should be made 10 al
low for the under estimate OF the total
crop.
Failures for the week number 205 in the
United States against 2o6 last year and
p IN Canada against @ last year.