Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-31
RUSHED FUEL HALTS TRADE
Dun Says Railroads Effort to Relieve
Famine Restricts Distribution.
ALL INDUSTRIES CONTINUE TO PROSPER
steel works Alone suHer because Of
Determination to Garry Coal to
Freezing Customer Mt
All Hazards.

NEW YORK. Jan. 8O.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review Of Trade tomorrow will
say:
Domestic trade and industry continue to
prosper, while the fuel situation has grown
less disturbing through the special effor, -
or transporters, aided to no small degree
products has been restricted by the dis
elimination in favor of coal and shippers
are importune. Clearance sales are about
ended, leaving only small stocks of winter
goods Advance business in spring deliv-
cries Is heavy and fall contracts are also
placed literally. At some places the har-
cases where there is delay on fuel account
manufacturing plants are busy, though
cost of materials and labor is high. Firm
prices for finished products are conse-
quently to be expected. Favorable returns
OF RAILWAY earnings are constantly issued,
figures thus far available showing an in
crease Of 81 per cent over last year and
lE9 per cent over 1901.
Miles of Fuel Cars Idle.
Miles of loaded cars and thousands Of
tons of coke piled in the yards at Con-
nellsville tell the story of conditions in
the iron and steel industry. Furnaces are
closing because OF the fuel shortage. BY
giving COAL, live stock and p%erishable goods
precedence railroads helped consumers
everywhere, but at the expense of the lead
ing manufacturing industry. Many plants
are closed or running on part time, ana
lew orders for distant delivery are either
sought or offered owing to the uncertainty
as when normal conditions will prevail.
1t is stated that delireries of pig iron to
the leading consumers are several months
behind and spot Bessemer has risen. and
there Is much irregularity, as evidenced
by the decline in cast pipe. Locomotives
are being turned out of the shops with
record-breaking rapidity and other railway
equipment is In equally good demand, while
structural material is still a feature. Many
additional contracts for bridge building are
recorded.
Footwear is Firm.
Footwear is firm, with an advancing ten
dency, although list prices are without
changes. New business Is light, but most
factories have abundant orders on hand
and there are many buyers i'm the market.
Both sole and upper leather are more ac-
tive, shoe factories taking freely, espe-
cially OF hemloCk sole. Buyers have also
recovered their wants for several months
as to oak backs, and calf skins are selling
freely. Large quantities of Chicago picker
hides sold at unchanged prices, and for
eign dry hides are strong.
A better inquiry is noted for cotton goods,
ing to the indisposition of sellers to accept
contracts. A number OF lines have ad-
vanced in price, the upward movement of
raw cotton having n natural effect.
Mems wear woolens and worsteds for
fall are now fully opened and buyers op-
crate more freely. There is no eyidence
of speculative activity. which emphasizes
the wholesome condition of the market,
and many lines have been withdrawn.
Failures for the week numbered 243 in
the United States, against 301 last year,
and 30 in Canada, compared with 40 a year
AGO.