The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-06-29
CONDITION
OF TRADE
Outlook Not as Encouraging as It
Has Been.
CROP PROSPECTS UNCERTAIN
Unreasonable Cold Weather Exerts
q Depressing influence on Retail
Trade In aIerchandise-Rnflw
Earnings For June Large.

New York. June PR. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review Of trade says;
No definitely unfavorable element is
apparent in the business situation, but
there are several uncertainties that en-
gender conservatism. IN regard to dis
trlbution Of merchandise, the long Pc
Rod Of low temperature has curtailed
trade in dry goods, clothing and other
seasonable lines. Stocks have accumu-
lated, and prospects for semiannual in
ventories are not altogether elIcourag-
ing. Regarding crop progress, there is
also sufficient uncertainty to maintain
high prices for grain. while the manip
ulated position Of cotton is a menace TO
the industry. Labor controversies still
harass many branches Of business. the
building trades of this city and the
textile mills at Philadelphia being com
pletely demorallzed, while minor strug-
giles are in progress elsewhere.
Even in finance there is some ques-
ton as to the future, although money
10 now abundant and comparatively
easy. In two months over So, 900
in gold has been exported, and rates
Of exchange do not yield materially,
while decline Of about S24 per share
in the average quotation of the sixty
active railways from the high record
Of last September has failed to attract
any liberal investment demand There
Is no cause for alarm iii any one or all
Of these symptoms, yet it is not sur
prising that a feeling of caution exists
and many undertakings are postponed
pending a restoration of normal con-
ditions
Foreign trade at this port for the last
week shows an increase Of 1904, TAI in
value Of merchandise exported, while
a decrease of S63o,974 occurred in i'm
ports as compared with the correspond
ing week in 1902.
Railway earnings thus far available
for June surpass last years By 1912 per
cent and exceed those OF 1901 by ia
per cent. Bank exchanges for the week
at New York were 11.3 per cent smaller
than in 1902, and a decrease Of 231|
per cent appears in comparison with
the same week two years ago, when
speculation was much more active. At
other leading cities cIearings were SO
and 5.S per cent larger, respectively.
Steel Market steadier.
After further moderate concessions
in prices of iron and steel. especially
in pig iron and partly finished shapes,
the market has steadied, and there are
indications that no additional reduc-
tons Of consequence are probable for
the present. Manufacturers OF cotton
goods have again advanced quotations
in several lines, notably sheetings. all
though there is no attempt to secure
prices in proportion to the present po-
sition Of the raw material Wool il
unchanged and quiet. New England
shoe shops are busy on fall footwear,
with sufficient orders on hand to assure
activity for some time.
Receipts Of wheat at the interior
were only 2,2l3,361 bushels against
2, 557 .397 bushels a year ago. Exports
of -four made up part Of the loss in
outgo Of wheat from the Atlantic coast
and shipments of both from all ports
OF the United States were equivalent
to 2. 7s9, AGO bushels Of wheat compared
with 2,S63 $50 last year and 4,102,65l
two years ago. Corn has made up
some Of its early loss in growth, but is
still several weeks late In less favored
regions. yet receipts on the old crop
were 4,o9s,si9 bushels for the week
against 2. 1888, $50 bushels year ago.
Liabilities of commercial failures
thus far reported for June aggregate
s., SOC 1853, Of which S1.T0s,400 were III
manufacturing, S2,145.469 In trading
and S1,952. 2s4 in other commercial
lines. Failures this week were 223 in
the United States against 200 last year,
and 10 In Canada compared with 20 a
year ago.