The Washington times., 1903-02-01
NO INDICATIONS OF
FLAGGING INDUSTRY
Car Shortage Trouble Grow
ing Worse.
BRADSTREET'S REPORT
Sanguine Expectations and Predictions
Confirmed by Trade Developments
in January.

NEW YORK. Jan. -Bradstreet's re
port says:
Trade developments in January con
firm the sanguine expectations and pre-
dictions made at the outset of the month.
Wholesale and jobbing trade in spring
/ dry goods, millinery, boots. and shoes.
and hats is improving steadily, January
jobbiug business at the leading cities
East and West being the best ever re-
corded in that month. Shipments on or
7 deTs are larger and earlier than in pre-
ceding years. Retail trade reports are
hardly so favorable. Unreasonable
weather dulIs retail distribution in this
line, and the usual January clearing saIes
are attracting less than ordinary atten-
ton
No Sign of FIagging Industry.
Among the industries no sign Of flag
ging activity is noted. Iron and steel
production is at its highest point, despite
fuel and car shortages. and prices are
higher. Activity in lumber is also noted
the country over. The general price Sit
uation remains strong, corn among the
cereals and cotton among the textileA
leading.
The car shortage trouble increases
rather than grows better. Smaller than
expected movements of grain and lumber
to market, Of fuel from producing cen
teTs to consumers, and of general mer-
chandise from wholesalers and 1obbers
TO retailers are reported the country
over. Preference is still being given to
coal shipments. and some railroads are
reported refusing all dead freight out
side OF fuel
In the Cotton Trade.
The shoe trade is more or less quiet.
and leather is likewise, East and West.
The strength in cotton goods is in real
ity the main reason for the advance
shown this week in the raw cotton mar
ket. though smaller than expected re
ceipts, better cables, and the strength
Of spot cotton at the South are all as
signed in support thereof. Wooden goods
for next fall are being ordered in fair
quantities, while mills are being pushed
for spring deliveries. Raw wool con-
tinues strong and prices are at food
tide
The iron trade Is reported rather
quiet, and conservatism is being freely
praCticed- Buyers are no doubt back
ward, because much OF the business Of
last year was done at old low quota
tions. A significant feature is that pig
iron prices have been marked up 81 per
ton at all leading markets, and the lower
prices so freely predicted are yet TO
materialize. notwithstanding the fact
that production at present is in excess
OF the largest ever before reported.
Developments of This Week.
The next few weeks should contain
developments important both to pro
ducers and consumers. Copper is strong
and shows q steadily advancing tenden-
cy- At Pittsburg sales Of structural mer-
2hant bars and plates have been large.
Bar iron has advanced 81 per ton.
Wheat, including -four, exports for
the week ending January % aggregate
4.420.065 bushels. against 1888, 757 last
week, 3. T02. 1858 in this week a year ago.
and 3,77g,000 In 1901 Wheat exports
since July / aggregate 14S. $50, G22 bush
.eIs. against 1875. 346,18G last season, and
1855 G4G in 1900. Corn exports aggre-
gate 2.045, 500 bushels, against 2.376683
last week. 427, 018 a year ago. and 2.4S7.-
707 in 1851. For the fiscal year exports
are %, 400. 700 bushels. against q, So. 9S5
last season, and 115, ,354 IN 1901
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending with January %
number 230, against 253 last week. 303 in
the like week in 1862, 238 in 1901. III in
1900. and 207 IN 1899. In Canada for
the week, 90, against % last week"