The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-04-01
REVIEW or TRADE.
Manufacturers Busy-AmpIe Supply Of
Fuel Facilitates Operations
In Factorie

r. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review Of
trade says: Irregularity in retail
trade is due to weather conditions. At
most points an early season stimulates
business, but in other sections there
has been interruption from excessive
rains. More activity is reported in
Wholesale trade, with a notably large
movement of groceries. millinery, pa
per and builders materials, while con-
ditions are satisfactory for the season
In jewelry. Manufacturers OF cloth
ing. furniture, footwear and iron and
steel are we'll engaged, ample supplies
of fuel greatly facilitating operations.
Earnings Of railways thus far reported
for March exceed last years by 1873
per cent and surpass those OF 1901 by
22.9 per cent. Work Is resumed on
bridges and buildings wherever the
places of strikers can be filed, and sew
eral contests in this department have
been averted. A large Opening trade
In pipe has been followed by liberal
supplementary orders, jobbers renew.
ing contracts extensively and prices
are well maintained. Sharp compe-
tiLcn for business in bar iron has
caused slightly lower level of prices,
while plates and sheets are iirmer. es-
pecially in galvanized lines. A prom
inent feature of activity is found in
merchant steel for agricultural imple-
ment works and wagon factories. these
running far into the future. Oyersold
conditions at rail mills are sending
urgent orders abroad. No improve
ment has appeared in the dry goods
market. The situation Is peculiarly
complicated as to cotton goods; stocks
are light as a rule, and labor troubles
threaten to curtail output. yet job
bers are reluctant to undertake con-
tracts at present quotations. Dullness
is reported In woolen goods, with new
business on limited scale. Cancella-
tion of early orders has become Sc
rious problem. many mills that had
disposed of their product for the sea-
son now seeking business. Jobbers
are placing large orders for fall deliv-
cry of shoes. readily paying the recent
advance in prices. and manufacturers
Of heavy goods have booked more bus
mess than is customary at this early
date. Leather is quiet. but low stocks
maintain prices. At last the turning
point has been reached In domestic
hides and prices have steadied. which
is due to the somewhat better condl-
tion of receipts. Failures this week
numbered PA in the United States
against 205 last year. and 26 in Can
ada. against 22 year ago.
"Bradstreets" says: Weather crops.
distributive trade, transportation and
even collections show Improvement
An abundance of moisture in the form
of rains fell in the West and North
west last week. This has put the
ground in good shape for spring plant
ing. Jobbing distribution of dry goods,
clothing. notions, millinery hardware
and shoes, show a large aggregate,
though spring trade has probably
reached its maximum at leading West
ern centers. Full business is now be-
ginning to be sought. Iron and steel
are active. and demand still surpasses
supply. The tendency is still toward
increased strength in finished pro-
ducts, strengthening elements being
the upward tendency of British and
German markets.