The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26
REVIEW OF TRADE.
General Business Weil Maintained.
Little Doing In iron--Prom-
islng Crop Outlook.

r. q. Dun G. Co.'S weekly Review
of Trade" says: Business is well main.
tained, aside from the quieting infu.
cncc OF the vacation season, which
somewhat restricts trade and rctards
corrections. Making due allowance for
the period thore Is no cause for COM
plaint. The adverse factors that have
been operating against prosperity in
recent preceding weeks are no longer
as rotent, normal Influences gradually
prevailing. Labor controversies still
exist, curtailing the output of a few
products and the consumption of all
the necessaries of life. Crops are not
going to market as freely as usual. al
though the agricultural outlook Is dis
tinctly favorable. In spite of several
obvious reasons for expecting a oneck
to freight traffic, earnings of railways
thus far reported in August show an
average gain of SO per>cent over last
year and 1872 per cent over 1901. Com
plants are beginning to be heard re-
garding the inadequate facilities of the
railways, and II now appears that in
convenience and loss must again be
experienced, Notwithstanding the ex-
tensive improvements. Sensational
stories of the large number of buyers
now at this center and the fabulous
sums that they spend cannot be ac-
cepted as statistlcally accurate. but It
| is probable that an Increase over all
| previous years Is actually occurring,
despite the decentralization in cotton
goods caused by speculation In the raw
material. Although production of coke
at Connellsville has been moderately
curtailed, supplies accumulate and
prizes are depressed. A fairly liberal
| tonnage of iron has been placed during
the past week, providing abundant de-
mand for all the Pig that is being
made. More large contracts for iron
and steel have been placed by prom
inent manufacturer of agricultural ma
chinery, and as much of this business
has been held back entirely on account
of prices, 1t is believed that no further
concessions are to be expected. In
view of the very satisfactory jobbing
trade that is reported in dry goods 1t
Is surprising that no reflection of the
activity Is seen in the primary market
Moderate orders for lightweight wool.
ems and worsteds have been placed
for spring delivery.
"Bradstreet's" says: Among the
great industries few important changes
are noted. One of the notable devel.
opments is the general softening OF
pig iron prices. following the heavy
buying of two weeks past. Weakness
in Southern foundry pig iron is noted
at Eastern markets, and Bessemer pig
iron is reported offered 81 per ton low
er at Plttsburg than a week ago Large
buying Of pig iron Is less noticeable
but quite a number of small orders
have been booked. Steel billets are
less active, but fairly firm. Wheat. in
cluding flour, exports for the week
ending August 90 aggregate 3.372.1S9
bushels. against 3.413.191 bushels last
week, 5954.759 bushels this week last
year. Corn exports for the week ag
gregate 509.495 bushels. against 707.
3S7 bushels last week. 1.649 bushels
year ago. Business failures in the
United States for the week ending
with August 20, number 1G6, against
16O last week. In Canada failures fol
the week number IA, as against IL last
week.