Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-23
WEATHER AND LABOR
Responsible for All Business Conditions
Changes in Sight.

New York. May Or c.. Dun &
COS. Weekly Review. of Trade tomor-
row, will say: Weather conditions and
labor situation are the dominant in
| fiuences in the business world. I'm
lseasonably high temperature at many
points, especially in the East, stmulat-
| ed retail trade in wearing apparel and
| other summer merchandise to an uii-
usual degree, but had Il most unsatis-
| factory effect upon vegetation which
was promptly reflected in diminished
orders for supplies and in some cases
| there We're cancellations. On the
| whole there are fewer wage earners
voluntarily idle, yet the spirit of I'M
rest has caused the abandonment of
| some new enterprises and postpone
| ment of others, which means less de-
mand for structural materials and
labor. Aside from these two adverse
factors the trade situation is favorable.
| Manufacturing plants are generally
| well occupied, especially in footwear,
| iron ard steel. Traffic on the railways
| is heavy, earnings thus far reported for
| May exceeding last years by 1876 per
cent, and surprising 1901 by 25.7 per
lcent.
| REIMBURSEMENT in prices of iron and
steel continues. the market gradually
resuming normal conditions.
| Advances of about per cent. in
wide sheetings indicate that the cot
ton goods market is beginning to re
spond to the higher raw material. A
still more encouraging sign is the
greater interest displayed by purchas-
ers. although this has not materially
| increased business, owing to a CORE
spending reserve on the part of sellers.
There is great reluctance among mill
owners to contract for distant delivery
and Il further curtailment is noted in
productive capacity. Warm weather
stimulates activity in wash goods for
quick delivery. Print cloths are firmer,
and While there is no demand for rcgu-
lars, goods are sought freely. Reduced
output of WorstedS had strengthened
the tone and the recent advanced prices
for carpets have not prevented large
| transactions.
There is no sign of reaction in the
footwear industry, shipments from Bos-
ton for the year thus far exceeding the
movement in 1902 by 200 cases, and
bll'17 gu ! LbiIS liitillltttlilSN. -NtN
England shops are sending statesmen to
Southern and Western jobbcrs with
spring samples and also to secure sup
Elementary orders for fall shoes. Some
IeaIly fall contracts are completed but
lnunc forwarded as yet. Stock taking
has begun ard may interrupt work to
some extent during the next six weeks.
Local jobbing and retail trade fulflls
expectations.
Cotton made more new high prices for
this season. spot middling uplands sur
passing the II cent record touched dur
ing the manipulation in january, 1901.
The recent initiation through Scpecula-
ton is not conducive to activity among
spinners. Considering the prospect of
early picking in some states, August
option contracts above II cents were
much more sensational than the cur
rent months deliveries at a cent higher.
Failures, this week. are 1g1 in the
United States. against 1872 last year.
and IA i'll Canada compared with Il a
year ago.
OF Canadian trade the Review will
say: Business continues satisfactory
in Quebec, but rain is badly needed. as
prolonged cool and dry weather has re-
tarded vegetation. Money markets at
Halifax have been affected by the re-
action in coal and steel stocks collcc-
tons are irregular and renewals more
| frequent. Hardware and building sup
| plies are in demand and lobster fisher
| les successful. Trade at MaSdalen is
| lands is good, the fisheries making good
| returns. St John reports a fair trade
i'm dry goods and groceries, and activity
is seen in hardware and building mater
ials. There is a fair demand for foot
wear. and reports from British timber
| markets made the prospects encourage
ling for this industry in New Brunswick
Settlement of strikes among longshorc-
men and teamstcrs at Montreal i'm
| proved the situation, but it will take
| some time to remove the accumulation
Of freight. Country trade is good for
| the season and money comes in freely,
| but the drought threatens the hay crOp
and dairy products. Wholesale trade is
| fairly active at Toronto, and favorable
1mer fabrics. while orders for fall goods
come in fairly well. Crop conditions
| and business are satisfactory ut Winni-
peg. Trade and collections at Nancou-
yer are fair, but Island labor troubles
| are unsettled