Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-17
NEEDS AWAKENING.
! General Trade and Industry
Are None Too Active
Though Underlying Prosperous Con-
ditions Are Very Easily Seen.
East Complains of Dull Trade--Bris&er
in the West.

New York, Oct. 1G.-Bradstreet's, to-
morrow, will say: General trade and
industry still lack the spur Of insistent
demand which has been so cOnSpcu-
ousiy present in the autumn in recent
years Executions to this are noted
in the Southwest, the hard winter
wheat section, where demand as a
whole is reported equal To last year;
ut some points in the Northwest and
on the Pacific coast. In the central
West business is fair but at the East
the quie1ness IS increasing and reports
from South are rather less optimistic
in some portions of Tennessee and
Florida, where crop yields are especi-
ally good, are. expected.
The shutdown OF iron furnaces fail
to stimulate values in this line. Money
is easier at the large centers but while
this makes it less difficult to get ac-
commodation, this fact is regarded as
evidence of nuictneSS in many lines re-
leasing funds which ordinarily would
be inactive. Collections are still COM
plaine1 OF as slow and colder weather
is apparently needed TO stimulate re-
tail demand for various products.
There are, however, some very favor
able features in the situation. The in
disposition Of producers to meet Gus
tomcrs' demands is a sign of an ability
to hold which, whether wise or not,
indicates the underlying prosperous
conditions. The cereal crop yield as Il
whole, though 10 per cent. smaller than
last year, is; Of n better grade and COM
pared with 1901. a gain of % per cent.
in The bunk yield is easily to be figured.
Reports Of suspension of Improvement
work by railroads come rather earlier
than usual this year, but sales of new
railroad cars and supplies point to
much Of this being largely seasonal.
IT is to be noted that while Cry goods
and textiles report dul!ncSs in many
places, groceries, hardware and food
products move moro freely because of
price conditions being easier. Eastern
cotton mills have not yet resumed in
fun and are buying spa:'ingly as yet,
but wool is in rather better sale to
cover orders booked. Reports from the
Eastern jewery manufacturing trade
are quite s;0od and the shipments Of
shoes from Eastern centers broke all
previous years records. Cotton is
opening rapidly at the South and pick
ing is active except i'll Texas, where
rains interfere with gathering and
marketing.
Complaints of dull trade are numer-
Gus at the East. Trade in dry goods
at New Yorl. is rot up to expectations.
Woolens are backward, cold weather
would help clothing and cotton goods
are being bought snarinsly at first
hands. BAD weather hurts trade slight
~ III Boston. but wCoen goods are 60
ing rather better and wool is in fair
demand. though prices have ease. OF.
Portland, Me. reports the sardinc and
corn packs 60 rcr cent. less than an
average.
Wheat. including -four exports for the
week ending oct. II. aggregate 2.S65,-
G10 bushels, against 2.31S.122 bushels.
last week. and 5."4o,6SS bushels. this
week of last year. Corn exports for the
week aggregate 1.410,412 bushels,
against Hollis bushels, last week,
and 1s0,G74 bushels, ii year ago.
Business failures for the week end
ing Oct. Ii number 203, against 1917.
last week, and 203 in the like week OF
1892.
Canadian trade is of fair volume. hut
colder weather would help retail bust
ness.
Failures in the Dominion number II.
rs against 10. last week. and Is in the
corresponding week of Il year ago.