The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-11-14

OF TRADE
Distribution Of Merchandise Ilam-
pered by Several Factors,
THE GRAIN SITUATION GOOD.
splendid Profits In Agricuiturai
Communities Cannot rail 20 Put
Money In CircuIation-oc-
tOber Failures.

New York. Nov. AR. G. Dun &
cos weekly review Of trade says:
Reimbursement OF wages and abnor-
mally warm weather are not calculated
to stimulate distribution Of merehan-
disc, especially wearing apparel ana
fuel. Several other staple lines are
quiet. as is usual at this season, yet ne
splendid profits Of agricultural eommu
mites cannot fail to put large sums q
money in circulation and provide g
market for commodities. Prices Of all
staples were slightly higher on Nov 4
than a month previous, Dun's index
number Of $97, $50 comparing with Slt-
3TS, but in the past two weeks tle ieFei
has fallen somewhat
Settlements Of labor disputes in
packing, lithographiug and several
minor Industries are offset By new
struggles in the building trades, street
car lines and coal lines, while the cut
in wages Of ironworkers and splnners
may result in strikes The time has
come when the wisdom of labor leaders
will be tested severely, for continuance
of prosperity is in no small degree de-
pendent upon encouragement Of indus
trial activity rather than friction a
helpful event was the resumption Of
work at the Montana copper mines
coke ovens and western stock yards
Financial Conditions Uneasy.
Financial conditions are still far from
easy. funds being withdrawn from this
center freely, but the low position Of
foreign exchange promises large i'm
ports Of gold, despite the opposition Of
European banks Exports Of nerchan
| disc from this port alone for last week
were S3,74S.70S larger and import
slightly smaller than a year ago, which
/ explains the tendency OF sterling rates
Railway earnings for The frst week ~
November were AIS per cent larger than
/ last year. but bank exchanges at New
/ York for the last week declined 2S2 per
cent compared with 1902.
Several significant events have oc-
Cured that indicate clearly the situa-
ton in the iron and steel industry
Statistics Of pig iron production IN 0c
tober, as compiled by the Iron Age
show moderate reduction to 1562sl9
tons, but furnace stocks meanwhile
rose to 597, $3.50 tons against 506,S4S tons
on Oct. / and 203,405 tons five months
ago Following last weeks heavy cut
in price of billets, a reduction of IS to
/ Sc a ton is announced in hoops, bands
and steel bars while even tin plates
/ are 81 ton lower These striking
changes by the leading producers bring
/ list prices Of finished products and raw
materials into closer harmony bur as
actual sales We're formerly made at
concessions the reductions are really
less significant than appear on the sur
face. Meanwhile prices Of plates. strue-
tural steel and rails are unaltered
Grain Crops Large.
Good news Is still heard regarding
4 the size Of grain crops An official
statement of the corn yield Der acre
indicates d total 81 23is,O00.000 hush
els. more than was secured iii any pre-
! yious year except the last. which was
only 2000o0000 larger. Wheat news
is also most encouraging as to quantity.
the only drawback being complaint Of
low grading, yet it is reported from
leading northwestern -four centers that
mills are operating close TO fun capae-
ity. Winter wheat is freely planted, at
some points the only drawback being
/ scarcity Of labor, and several dispatches
indicate a record acreage sown under
most promising conditions. Lower quo.
tations tend to facilitate exports. which
were 3,034s 179 bushels for the week.
flour included. against 3407, 652 bush.
els last year and 4,539295 bushels two
years ago. Atlantic coast shipments az
corn continue TO show striking gain
over last years slight movement, 1873.
] 4G2 bushels for the week comparing
4 with 259l20 bushels III 1902.
Liabilities Of commercial failures
thus far reported for November agere.
gate S4,2S5,582, Of which S19O857s
were ID manufacturing, Sl,501,4 7l In
trading and SS30,533 In other CONNER.
cial lines Failures this week nup.
bered 2S3 In tile United States against
241 last year and "a in Canada COM
pnrad With 81 q tnar no,