Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-03-18

HbH IUIk the movement OF freight
L------l and fuel makes the gen
eral situation more favorable. although
shippers are stiA constantly complain
ing aud pig iron furnaces are not able
TO run steadily. Numerous labor strus-
giles also interrupt manufacturing, yet
mills and shops are producing freely as a
rule. Jobbers and wholesalers are busy.
while spring retail trade has opened very
well in many lines notably wearing APP
parel.' The foregoing is from the
Weekly Trade Review Of X. G. Dun &
Co. IL 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
$101,067 ON March !, against S100,92O
a month previous. Foreign trade 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 out a large quantity of new or
ders, &C is customary at this reason.
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 a higher
level. Tin plates were advanced S4 a
ton. Billets bars aud 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-
rive in regard 10 accepting contracts call
ing for distant deliveries OF cotton goods,
owing to the extreme uncertainty as to
what the raw material will cost. Even
on present stocks ihere is an upward ten
dency in quotations. While new bust
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 spriag ofs1904
are opened. although only limited bust
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 farey worsted goods hive
not sold freely, and opening prices are
maintained with difficulty A firmer tone
is reported in the dress goods division.
Footwear hiss lost nothing in strength,
but somewhat in activity, as buyers are
placing orders cautiously. A large vol
ume Of contracts could be taken 1T old
prices.
Failures this week numbered 229 in
the United States, against 176 last year.
and 1G in Canada, compared with II
year ago.
Bradstreet's Grain Report.
Wheat, including -four. exports for the
week ending March aggregate 3,491,-
4S6 bushels, against 2,656,S39 last year.
4,095944 in this week q year ago and
4, 229, 52S in 1901. Wheat exports since
July l aggregate J64, 2S4, 134 bushels.
against 1E&.262, 043 last season, and 1885,
525, $50 in 1901.
Corn exports aggregate 3,S1T, 500 bush
els, against 2,36S.9 $3.50 last week, 3d., 506
a year ago, and 1856, 1871 in 1901. For
the fiscal year exports are 1867 .191
bushels against 23,471, 1886 last season,
and 135, I36, 461 in 1901