Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-20
BETTER PROSPECTS
For Crops Help EnIiyen Whole
Business Situation.
Fair Current Activity at Cotton Mills,
Barring the Strikes.
Foreign Trade Shows Remarkably 40
tive Features in All Lines.

New York, June 19-R. G. Dun &
Cos. Weekly Review of Trade, tomor-
row, win say: Unreasonable low tenn
perature together with excessive pre-
cipitation at many points, have retarded
| the distribution of merchandise. TAX
! ing the country as a whole, however,
! the net result has been very satisfac-
| tory, better crop prospects accelerating
| forward business and enlarging order
| lists of manufacturers. Railway earn
| ings thus far reported for June exceed
| last year by SIS per cent. and those of
1901 by 14.S per cent.
At the cotton mills there Is fair cur
rent activity, although spinners whose
| stocks of raw material are low have
not only ceased to seek business for
future delivery, but refuse to consider
propositions, or else place their figures
at prohibitive position. Lower grades
Of light weight woolens for next spring
have been opened at advances. of IA
to cents a yard. Duplicate orders or
heavy weights are moderate in size,
most buyers covering immediate needs
only. Reports regarding the footwear
industry are satisfactory. New Eng
land plants are well employed and sup
Elementary orders are coming forward,
although buyers generally delay placing
contracts until after July l when much
new business is anticipated.
official and other returns for the
week make the crop outlook somewhat
more encouraging on the whole, al
though weather conditions have been
disturbing at many points, and insects
are causing damage.
Foreign trade Is remarkably well main
tanned considering the numerous factors
that operate against it. Imports during
May were valued at SIS, 1856 1l3, which sur
, passes the corresponding month in any
other year except 1857, when peculiar con
ditions swelled the movement and render
ed intelligent comparison impossible. Ex-
ports in May were valued at 800 sos, 05l
which is only about s., 600, 600 less than in
the same month last year. while the total
of both exports and imports exceeded the
foreign trade in May. 1902.
Failures this week, were 213 in the Unit
ed States against 1874, last year. and "a in
Canada compared with 10, year ago.
A little better demand for dry goods and
groceries is reported at st. John. but shoes
and hardware still move slowly. Rains
have improved the crop situation, but are
not SUFFICIENT W Htlp iuihbciutH. DilSi-
ness is satisfactory at Quebec and pay
ments are good for the season Ample
rain followed by good growing weather
has greatly improved the crop situation In
the Montreal district although the hay
crop was seriously damaged. Country
merchants send in larger orders, and on
the whole business is good for the season.
Cool weather and rain temporarily retard-
cd retail trade at Hamilton. and especial
ly in summer wear. but wholesale business
Is satisfactory. Building materials arc In
good demand at advancing prices. The
berry crop is abundant and hay has been
benefited SO that an average yield is an
ticipated Wholesale trade at Toronto Is
active and general conditions sound. Gro
ceiies are In good demand and hardware
sells freely. Payments are satisfactory.
Trade Is good in all lines at Winnipeg
and crop prospects assuring. Trade con-
ditions at Vancouver are unchanged and
the water stage In the Fraser river Ii re-
assuring.