The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-02-19
| New York.

=, Vigorous vitality is con-
7 dustry, despite the handi-
cap of Overstrained and lamentably in
adequate facilities for transportation.
Concentrated efforts to reduce the con-
gestion at a few favored points apparent
ly intensified the blockades elsewhere,
and inclement weather added a new dis.
turbing factor to an already complicated
situation. Every possible method is be-
ing adopted to improve conditions, enor-
nous sums are appropriated for axtan-
sions, yet accidents and losses are fire.
quent.' The foregoing is from the
Weekly Trade Review of X. G. Dun n
Co. 1t continues:
Transatlantic vessels failed to leave
on schedule time, and many manufacture
ing plants are closed in part or wholly.
Labor disputes are more numerous, al
though not prevalent to any extent in
the leading industries. As the season ad-
vances there is notable activity in build
ing trades. with the customary accelera-
ton OF inquiry for materials. Retail deal
mgs in most staples are fully sustained,
especially of seasonable wearing apparel,
but distribution at many points has suf-
fered through weather conditions. Whole
sale and jObbing trade is steadily imp:Ov-
ing, although deliveries cannot be guar
anteed. Foreign commerce is keeping
pace with domestic trade. Railway earn
ings during January were SO per cent
larger than last year and III per cent
in excess of 1901.
In the face of initiating elements the
consumer was peculiarly fortunate, as
shown Inn ;v,In .hnr nf
proportiOned to consumption, which was
SlOO,92O on Feb. /, against $1OO.306
month previous, an advance of only one
half of l per cent.
1t would have OecasiOned no surprise
had the cost of living materially advanc-
ed during the midwinter months. In ad-
Gition to the seasOnable influence of low
temperature and consequent restriction
OF production in some lines, there were
numerous factors in evidence calculated
to aggravate the situation.
Conditions in the iron and steel indus
try are without essential alteration. Far
from catching up with its orders, the
leading producer now reports over $780,
OOO tons of contracts OH hand, and simi-
lar statements on a somewhat smaller
scale are made by other concerns. Traffic
difficulties increase, deliveries of fuel and
pig iron are uncertain, and mt Chicago
coke is nOminally $40 ton, while Con-
nellsville ovens produce freely, but Pitts
burg supplies are inadequate. A very
large quantity is en- route, and there is
growing confidence in the trade that the
worst congestion is over for this season.
Failures in the United States. 26l this
week, against 263 last week. 30 the pre-
ceding week and 261 the corresponding
week last year, and in Canada. 81,
against 30 last week, q the preceding
week and % last year.
Bradstreet's Grain Figures.
Bradstreet's weekly report on grain
says:
Wheat. including flour, exports for the
week ending Feb. 8 aggregate 3,965,916
bushels, against 4,42O,O65 last week. f.
SOO.457 in this week year ago end
1897 ,S13 in 1901. Wheat exports since
July l aggregate 152.565,53S bushels,
against 17O, 1868 last season and 12O,-
S23, ,459 in 1900.
Corn exports aggregate 2,4OO,3l6 BUSH
els, against 2,O45,999 last week, 100, 145
a year ago and ALI, ,4i0 in 1901. For
the fiscal year exports are 22,S01. .O16
bushels. against 23,O31, ,130 last season,
and lis, ,566, 794 in 1901.