The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-03-19
/ Further Improvement in
| New York.

| uitHei improvement III
MRW f0Ik the movement of freight
|--l and fuel makes the gen
eral situation more favorable, although
shippers are still constantly complain
ing and pig iron furnaces are nUs able
to run steadily. Numerous labor strus-
giles also interrupt manufacturing, yet
mills and shops are producing freely rs a
rule. Jobbers and wholesalers are busy,
while spring retail trade has opened very
well in many lines. notably wearing ap-
parel The foregoing is from the
Weekly Trade Review of X. g. Dun Il
Co. 1t continues:
Permits for building operations show
large gains over last years figures, Civ
ing additional strength to lumber and
other materials. Prices of commodities
scarcely altered in the aggregate during
February, Dun's index number being
$lOl,O6I on March l. against $l00.920
month previous. Foreign Grade con-
tinues very heavy.
Conditions in the iron and steel indus
try need no other calculation than the
plans announced by the United States
Steel Corporation. The last week has
brought ont large quantity of new or
ders, as Is customary at this season.
Among the leading features were liberal
purchases of pipes. tubes, agricultural
! implements, structural shapes and rail
way equipment
A heavy tonnage of steel rails was
placed. particularly for trolley lines.
Quotations are firmly held in all depart
ments Of this industry, and in several
instances the week has brought higher
level. Tin plates were advanced 81 a
ton. Blllets, bars and pig iron are still
in great demand, and further imports
have been arranged. This business
would be still heavier but for the strength
of foreign markets
Spinners are growing very conserva-
tive in regard to accepting contracts cali
ing tor distant deliveries of cotton goods
owing to the extreme uncertainty as to
what the raw material will cost. Even
| on present stocks there is an upward ten
dency in quotations. While new busi-
ness at first hands is only fair, there is
much activity in jobbing lines. Export
trade is slow. Print cloths are higher.
Fine cotton fabrics for the sprin, of 1904
are opened, although only limited busi-
ness has been done. Dealings are small
in woolens and worsteds, but mills are
fully occupied. The spring clothing trade
is satisfactory, especially in staple lines.
New lines of fancy worsted goods have
not sold freely, and opening prices are
maintained with difficulty. \ firmer tone
is reported in the dress goods division.
Footwear has lost nothing in strength,
but somewhat in activity. as buyers are
placing orders cautiously. A large vol
ume of contracts could be taken at old
prices.
Failures this week numbered 229 in
the United States. against 176 last year.
and 1G in Canada. compared with II
a year ago.
Bradstreet's Grain Report.
Wheat, including flour. exports for the
week ending March aggregate 3,491,
4S6 bushels, against 2,656, $50 last year.
4,O95,944 in this week year ago and
4,229,52S in 1901. Wheat exports since
July l aggregate 164,2S4,134 bushels,
against 1S4, ,262 043 last season, and 1885,
525, ,4SO in 1901.
Corn exports aggregate 3.S1I 500 bush
els, against 2,36S, $3.50 last week, 352, 4O6
year ago. and 1856. 13I in 1901. For
the fiscal year exports are 1861, 191
bushels, against 23.471,3 1896 last season,
and 135, I36. .461 in 1901.