The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-04-02
| New York.

| C--- i'll the business situation
ard it exists more in the fear of what
may happen than through anythin. that
has actually occurred. Several strikes
are III progress. but none that seriously
hampers industry. although many cou-
tr0versies are threatened and may in
terrupt trade unless agreements are
reached. Progress has been made in
relieving traffic blOckades, and deliveries
are more prompt, yet railway facilities
need much extension if they are to keep
pace with the nations growth The
foregoing is from the Weekly Trade Re
view OF X. q. Dun Il Co. 1t continues:
JoDbinS trade is very large and the
advancing season stimulates retail sales
III many lines. Reports from the West
are especitlly satisfactory; agriculturists
making extensive improvements. notably
IN the purchase OF. the most modern ma
chinery. Buying of spring and summer
merchandise is heavy for the interior,
and mills are resuming that have long
been idle because coke could not be Sc
cured.
n careful canvass of building opera
tions at the leading cities makes fair
comparison with last year, outside of
chicago. where special conditions caused
exceptional activity in 1902; returns are
unanimous in disclosing n decrease COM
pared with 1901, which. however, was
the banner year in this respect. High
cost OF material and wages of labor are
undoubtedly retarding influences mt the
present time. Railway earnings thus
lar available for March show an in
crease of 14.6 per cent ovc: last year,
and ~ Der cent over 1901
Prospects in the iron and steel indus
try are still conspicuously encouraging
Only two drawbacks of serious impor-
tance are seen-railway congestion and
labor disputes. The former has greatly
diminished with settled weather and coke
Is moved freely to blast furnaces, while
pig iron and other products reach their
destination with less interruption. Quo
tations are fully held at Pittsburg, and
large purchase of Bessemer iron for
delivery in the last half of the year is
still under consideration Some wire pro-
ducts and cast pipe are advanced in
price, and, as many mills are unable to
deliver billets for several months, for
eign steel is still purchased freely. Pig
iron is continually arriving from abroad
and finds ready market.
Textile markets are only fairly active,
the buying at first hands for home ac
count being on a moderate scale and for
ward business Indifferent, except in the
case of few specialties. Unquestiona-
bly, the undertOne of the cotton goods
market is strong. Demand for heavy
weigh. woOlens has decreased. most Lew
orders being for the cheaper grades.
More cancellations of early orders are re-
ported. Much better conditions prevail
in the dress goods market, both as to sta
pies and fancies.
New England shoe shops report in
creased sales, western jObbers placing |
orders for August and September deliv- |
cry. Leather is more active, and tan |
ners are not carrying surplus stocks. The |
market is in healthy condition. An |
other general reduction is reported in |
domestic hides. but foreign dry hides |
average higher, despite larger receipts.
Failures this week numbered DO in
he United States, against POD last year,
and % in Canada. against 81 year ago. |
Bradstreet's Grain Figures.
Wheat, including flour, exports for the
week ending March 10 aggregate 2.359,-
j9S bushels, against 1886, 1876 last week,
,326,3O4 in this week year ago, and
!, ,256, ,644 in 1901. Wheat exports since
July 1 aggregated 170.046,52S bushels,
lgainst 191 ,494. .591 last season and 146,-
|73, ,O63 in 1900.
Corn exports aggregate 3. .4O1 ,06S BUSH
Is, against 3,257 800 last week. $780,
'91 year ago and 2.6O5. .OSO in 1901. For
he fiscal year exports are 40SS1, ,25S
'ushels, against 23,994. 7Ol last season,
nd III, ,5SS. 120 in 1901.