Daily Kennebec journal., 1903-02-07
IT STILL GROWS.
Nothing Seems to Retard the
Progress Of Business.
The Great January Trade Is Keeping
Up in February.
Eastern Trade Good, Cotton Trade Be-
ing Particularly Active.

NewsYorlxg Eeb.t 6. +-BradstfeetS will
say of,the .state Of trade: 3 Unfavorable
weather conditions may retard but they
do not arrest trade and industrial de-
velopment, which continues in excep-
tionally full volume for this season of
the year. Confrma ton Of fine January
trade reports is had in the largest ag-
gregate of clearings ever reported in
that mouth, despite dulled stock spec
ulation) and the smallest total of jan
uary failures recorded for 10 years
past. Spring trade is earlier and OF a
larger volume than in any previous
year and the remarkable steadiness
of prices is evidence that stability in
present conditions is expected for some
time to come. Cotton goods note ex-
ceptional activity and strength, but
other lines of spring trade are busy,
iron and steel is active for this season,
lumber production is brisk and hard
ware is in heavy demand. Cold and
wet weather lis complained of in some
sections of the winter wheat region,
but to dry weather is noted in Kansas.
Money is still easier and stock specu-
lation is again lifting it's head. Collec-
tions, though slightly better, still leave
something to be desired. This progress
is being made in spite of some draw
backs. but these very shortcomings are
evidence merely of superabundant
prosperity. In the iron and steel trade
the fuel situation is really but little
better. owing to the car congestion in
car transportation between the coke re-
gions and consuming points.
The late spell of mild weather has
certainly brought about an improve
ment in the coal situation.
Eastern trade is good volume, the
cotton goods trade being particularly
active and the strength of prices in this
line being notable. Print cloths have
scored another advance. 1t is a sellers
rather than buyers market for tex
tiles and the demand for shoes is rather
better at Boston. Shipments from
Eastern points are a little ahead of last
year and low priced shoes are selling
at slightly higher rates.
Snow falls in Maine have been large
and heavy spring run of logs is
looked for Stormy weather has, how
ever, interfered with fishing operations.
Cold weather was responsible for
lower prices of butter and eggs in jan
uary and some hog products also de-
clined. but cereals remained steady
and textiles nearly all advanced as did
several kinds of iron and steel, cop
per. tin and naval stores, offseting the
lower movement in quotations of coun-
try produce, coal and coke, petroleum,
hides and some grades of leather.
= While buyers of iron and steel evince
81 tendency to stand off as regards dis
tart deliveries. pressing needs for inn
l;o 70, in6 G
small sales, which make up a consider
able aggregate of crude material. Fin
ished products are as active as hereto
fore. The markets for foreign mate
rials are rather firmer.
Wheat. including flour, exports for
the week ending Feb. 5, aggregate g.
965.916 bushels, against, 4,42O.066 BUSH
els last week. and 4,SOO,457 bushels in
this week. year ago.
Corn exports aggregate 2,400,316 BUSH
els, against 2,045, 999 bushels, last week,
and 169.145 bushels, year ago.
Business failures for the week end
ing with Feb. number 208, against 230
]ast week. and 247 in the like week in
1902.
Canadian trade reports say: Febru-
ary seems likely to see a large trade
uOne IN spring goods. Generdi reports
are of wholesale trade active and fur
ther advances in cotton goods looked
for and American competition in this
line has ceased. while British compete
tion has increased. Woolen goods tend
upward Toronto reports wholesale
trade good and retailers stocks well
reduced. Canadian fleece wool is in
scant supply. Money is more active but
no lower. Winnipeg reports that trav-
elers have had big season in spring
goods. Large quantities of wheat are
still in farmers hands. Victoria re-
ports a good outlook for spring and
lumber and shipping are active.
Failures for the month of January
were 20 per cent. fewer than year ago,
while clearings were IA per cent. larg-
er. For the week failures number p,
as against 80, last week, and 20 in this
week year ago. Clearings aggregate
S4S.717 120. gain of 8 per cent over
last week and of II per cent. over last
year.