New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-02-21
CONDITION OF TRADE.
"Dun's Review" says:

Just as the railway congestion began to give
way before the vigorous efforts OF tra1lc maj M
by the worst snowstorm of the season, and the
movement of merchandise was again interrupteai;
Latest figures of gross earnings snow the u9udI
gains February thus far SURPRISING by 10 per
cent last year when unusual aG Teay er cent In
creased of operation, however necessltat tI
to eonsderabe extent by the Indictment weather.
except in certain seasonable lines, notably, heaIy
wearing apparel. Wholesale houses deallnS III
staples have received liberal orders. and Inuch
forward business has been placed b fo0PeaS
send many new contracts ManuLacluTg5if tj %
fully as satisfactory as a year ago, aside from
some interruption by labor controversies; GOaTl,
imports of raw material. and one large thro"SteL
recently rejected orders SUFFICIENT ,1 to eGcqg og
extensive building operations, giving strength anu
spproachins triple holiday speculation was dull.
and sales of stocks fell far below the sdtS IN
Increase of only 81 per cent in bank EXCHANGES
at NewYork and the loss Of 81 per c cent fber
we're gains of 10 and 23-i per cent respectively
"Bradstreets' says:
Wintry weather has retarded but not checked
spring jobbng trade which despite t 5Iiet
still far in advance of year ago real tl Ts
has noticeab!y affected ana puyl ft s.@
accentuated the vexed transportation problem; Inc
favorable side Of the weather situation Is fh
entire surplus producing winter wheat belt putting
fro,o SEASONAL Changes The cold at the
South too has done rather less damage than was
feared considering the fact that the line OF 1retz
ing moved well south into Florida Colo. 1olLoNlhs
the storm, has arrested what looked IKE ddHseL
from flood in the AIIegheneS. Other developments
of the week nave been mostly favOraDIe. I-tIStIy
as a result of manipulation cotton has passed lHe
10 cent mark Corn, though in increased supply, -
firm the influence of excellent export puy
wheat displays rernarkaDle Sttdullc90'
with prices close up TO the best OF the year; :.
The price situation. indeed, taken as a WhOIe- Is
q remarkable one. Country produCe- pdrllCuIdIiy
butter and eggs has displayed exceptional strenStn
while the great ajority of staples retain all thel
old steadiness except where further advances are
noted as in the case of cotton goods Whlch are
very strong at the highest prices IN years
Among the metals and steel exhibit the erect
Of exgent demand close to the record hlSh prices
Production still falls below expectations owing 70
the fuel shortage while inquiry has become rather
more active. and foreign material in the absence
of domestic supplies is increasingly used The ad-
var in copper. though claimed to be largely ma
travs lack of public interest. but prices as Wnole
sbcu@ Great steadiness. Money continues easy.
though an Increased disposition to lend more spar,
ingv on the long time, due. apparently TO increased
needs due to security fotations. is noted F0Telgh
exchange is strong but gold exports are sun APP
parently in the future Collections are rather pet
Ter as whole ranging from fair to good the coun-
try over Industry is active limited only py trdS
portation facilities Stormy weather mas CHeCh4tI
the easing tendency in coal. but the pinch IN tns
direction seems about over, and prices are Yer!
close to n circular basis