Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-24
STILL EXPANDING.
Volume of Trade is Steadily
on the Increase.
Spring Trade is Brisk and Transport
alton Bothers Companies.
Price Situation Said to Be One of Ex-
ceptional Strength.

NEW VI n, jail. duoti CNto, W
morrow will say of the state of trade:
Previously existing favorable condi-
tions still rule. Spring trade shows
further expansion, particularly in dry
goods, such as linens, wash fabhics,
underwear and hosiery. Clothing,
shoes, hardware and hard wood lumber
are active and the volume of ship
ment of spring goods to fill orders Of
fers still another problem for con-
gested transportation companies to
solve. A spell of mild weather has in
duced the beginning of the usual
clearance sales of surplus winter goods
by retailers. 1t has also tended to
soften the acuteness in the anthracite
coal shortage at the East and caused
a lowering in prices. A certain amount
featuring industry by the high price
or scarcity of coal at the East is still
noted.
Among manufactured products, the
strength of iron and steel is notable.
At the North pig iron sales are report
ed small, but the price is firmly held
Foundry iron is strong. In finished
products cut nails and wire are 81 per
ton higher. There is not much new
in the import line. but prices are
strong. Among finished products, steel
plates bars and rails are specially
strong and active. Numerous orders
for cars are forward and this has Gre
ated a large business for miscella-
neous steel and for yellow pine. Shelf
and heavy hardware is specially act
i've for this season of the year and a
large business is anticipated. The
strength of building materials is a fea
ture deserving of note. While weather
conditions are unfavorable to ordinary
building and lumber is quiet with
final distribution, good volume OF
business is reported by producers
Portland, Me-, reports that a very large
drive of logs is expected in the spring
The price situation is one of eX-
ceptional strength. All of the cereals
are higher than for long time past.
Textiles, particularly cotton and
wooden goods, occupy strong posi-
ton. Raw cotton does not show much
change. a rise early in the week in
ducing considerable liqu1dation which
however, failed to wipe out the early
gain. There seems to be considerable
maneuvering for position, with the
situation not as yet clearly defined but
the strength of finished products is a
bar to any great growth of bearish
feeling. Cotton goods are strong, feel
ing the effect of the exceptional good
spring trade already booked. Print
cloths are Use. higher on the week,
In dress goods jobbers note an ex-
panding business and mems wear
woolens hold the advance on five to
ten per cent noted at the outset of
the season.
Raw wool is firmly held and there is
even some quotable advance on the
week. Argentine wocls are selling at 6
cents per pound advance on last year.
Business failures for the week end
ing with Jan. % number 253, against 234
last week, and 292 in the like week in
1902.
Wheat. including flour, exports for
the week ending Jan. %, aggregate g.
53S.751 bushels, against 4,S7S,624 bushels
last week, and 3,639,679 bushels in this
week a year ago. Corn exports aggre-
gate 2,376,6S3 bushels against 1884, 612
last week and 1880 bushels a year
ago.
Canadian trade for spring account is
increasing. Montreal reports orders
booked larger than in previous years at
this date; shipments are large and cot
ton goods have been advanced while
wooden goods are firm, with SINE manu-
facturers refusing further orders at
ppresent prices. Some Canadian WOOL
en- goods have been exported. Business
at Toronto is larger Country retail
ers are buying and staple goods are in
limited supply. Snow blocked roads
have checked trade and collections but
conditions are now improving. The
largest volume of spring trade ever
booked is reported at Winnipeg, but
the grain movement is checked by the
elevator and car shortage.
Failures number % against 23 last
week, and 81 in this week, a year ago.
Bank clearings for the week aggregate
$4S, 190,294, decrease of per cent.
from last week, but gain of II per
cent. over this week a year ago.