The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-07-30

1of speculation, many re-
ports indicating further improvement.
During recent months the two disturbing
factors have been labor controversies and
weather conditions. but each week has
brought better things in these two re-
spects until the outlook contains much
that is encouraging. Crops are making
rapid progress, and the army of unem-
ployed is diminishing" according to r.
J. Dun 4 Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade.
Continuing, the report says:
Railway traffic is heavy, earnings thus
far reported for July exceeding last
years by 1876 per cent and those of 1901
by 49, per cent. Retail trade in sea-
sOnable merchandise is fully up to the
average, and there is less than the Gus
tomary midsummer quiet among whole
salers, while the preparations of jobbers
and manufacturers indicate confidence in
q large fall business.
Unsettled conditions still exist in forge
and foundry pig iron markets, while Bes-
semer iron Is only barely steady. The
chief difficulty appears to be the inclina-
ton Of prospective purchasers to wait for
the lowest possible quotations. This is
a condition to be expected in declining
market, but appears unusually aggravat-
ing in the present instance. Current con-
sumption is heavy, and the delay is only
in connection with distant deliveries.
Structural steel begins to reflect the
settlement of labor troubles in the build
ing traies, but several important under
:akings have been postponed until next
year, two large buildings at Pittsburg
being conspicuous examples. Merchant
steel and pipe are in better demand, sew
aral large contracts being under negOtia-
tion. Steel rails are sold we'll into 1904.
and other railway equipment is still one
of the best features in the industry.
Southern iron furnaces and steel mills are
affected adversely by the coal miners
strike, although there is belief that set
tlement will not long be delayed.
1t is season of uncertainty in the
manufacture of cotton goods, and nothing
in the nature of improvement can be ex-
pccted until the artificial position of the
raw material is radically altered. Sup
plies of cotton goods in first hands are
low, and there is no effort to make spot
sales. Buyers fill their requirements for
immediate distribution, but in no depart
ment of this great industry is there any
inclination to anticipate needs of even
the near future. AS supplies diminish
there is corresponding stiffening of quo
tations. Mills are steadily curtailing pro-
duction both here and abroad.
New lightweight woolens are being
opened, with fair results only, buyers ex-
hibiting no anxiety regarding the future.
Silks are firm owing to curtailed produc-
tion and the high prices commanded by
the raw material. Western jObbers are
operating freely in the Boston footwear
market, both on contracts for spring
goods and supplementary fall orders.
Eastern wholesalers are also purchasing
additional fall supplies, and New Eng
land factories are fully occupied.
Failures this week were 213 in the
United States, against 213 last year. and
16 in Canada, compared with 20 year
ago.
Bradstreet's Trade Review.
The salient features in trade reports
this week are the better tone of trade ad-
vices from the Southwest, where the feel
ing grows that large business will be
done. Hides and leather are rather
weaker at the East, but eastern shoe
shipments are far in excess of last year
for the week and season.
Wheat. including flour, exports for the
week ending July 16 aggregate 3,652, ,OS4
bushels. against 2,3SO.41O last week,
3,775,222 this week last year, 5,221 $50
in 1901 and 3,029, 1881 in 1900. For two
weeks of the cereal year they aggregate
6,O33, 1914 bushels, against S,179.337 in
1902, 1O,23S, ,O29 in 1901 and 5,S59,29 in
1900. Corn exports for the week aggre-
gate 1,4O2, ,4O4 bushels, against 1,525.OS4
last week, 13O679 year ago, 1,714,OS1
in 1901 and 4,1S2. 159 in 1900. For two
weeks of the present cereal year they
aggregate 1921 .4SS bushels. against 315,-
$40 in 1902. 4,514,S19 in 1901 and s.
2O4, ,227 in 1900.