St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-03-18
Bradstreets Vermont Weekly Trade
Report.

Reports to Bradstreet's indicate that
the almost unseasonably warm weather
during the week has seemed to impair
trade conditions rather than improve
them. The damage from spring floods
has apparently passed as the ice in the
rivers has broken and while the streams
have been swollen beca use OF the snow
melting there has been no serious ice
blockade reported. Roads are in bad
condition as the frost is coming out of
the ground. Some maple sugar has been
made but thus far the weather has not
been favorable for the flow of the sap.
Collections are reported quite slow and
there appears to be but little money in
the hands OF the country traders. Man
ufacturers, however, appear to be well
occupied and prospects for the coming
season are favorable. The creamery in
terests are satisfactory and farmers
realize large monthly revenue from this
source which is distributed throughout
the entire state. Work in the woods
among the loggers is nearly ended for the
season but there has been good business
for the lumbermen.
Some anxiety is felt in business circles
in Burlington because OF the possible in
corruption OF the work ia the lumber dis
trict. The workmtn are organized into
a labor union and have requested that
nine hours constitute days labor in
stead of ten hours which is the present
time, and that the schedule become
operative April 1st A strike would di
rectly involve one thousand to fifteen
| Thora &c e4~ ,lya Of
the employees of the brush factory affect
ing some fifty workmeu. The cotton
mills are busy and manufacturing ir-
terests are occupied as usual. Retail trade
good for the season OF the year, collec-
lions slow. Business in Montpelier is
moderately active. The stone sheds are
not so busy as they are likely to be later
in the year. Retail trade is satisfactory.
There is not very active demand TOR
labor at Barre at present, and while the
stone sheds are running fairly we'll there
are probably a good many stone cutters
idle. The increased wages granted to
the workmen and the increased cost of
stock has caused a considerable increase
in the cost of finished work, but when
the trade adjusts itself to the new coudi-
| lions II is expected tuetl DuSiueSS VIII OS
more active. Retail trade is good col
lections about as usual. The stone sheds
at North6eld are busy and it is thought
the slate quarries will be in shape to pro-
duce a considerable output when the sea-
son opens up sufficen ly to permit out
side operations. General business condi-
tons appear to be satisfactory at this
point st. Adams reports business good;
it is understood that the creamery con-
templates building an addition to its al.
ready large plant. The furniture factory
is busy and the garment factory is also
we'll employed. Retail trade is good fol-
the season of year and no particular
complaint heard as to collections. Rich
ford reports the manufactures very wei
employed, retail trade good, collections
fair. Manufacturing business in Brattle
boro is fairly good, retail trade some
what quiet and collections reported slow
If the maple sugar season is good it viii
help the stores with their collections
Slate business is good at Fair Haven anC
prospects favorable. Retail trade il
brisk and collections fair. St. Johnsbury
reports everyone busy in manufacturing
lires but retail trade quiet, and colec
tons poor. Maple sugar makers ar
now in their orchards but there has no
been much sugar made as yet.