The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-31
INDUSTRIES
PROyPER|NG
Domestic Trade Is Keeping
Up to Standard.
FUEL SHORTAGE HINOERS
Many Factories Close Because
of Lack of Coal.
FUEL SHORTAGE HINDERS

New York, Jan. 3O.-R. G. Dunn & Co s
weekly review of trade tomorrow will
say:
Domestic trade and industries continue
to prosper while the fuel situation has
grown less disturbing through the special
efforts OF transporters aided to no small
degree by mild weather Distribution of
other products has been restricted by the
discrimination in favor of coal and ship
pers are importunate. Clearance sales
are about ended, leaving only small
stocks of winter goods Advance bust
ress in spring deliveries is very heavy
and fal contracts are also placed literally
At some points the harness season opens
favorably. In most cases where there is
no delay on fuel account manufacturing
plants are busy, though cost of materials
and labor is very high. Firm prices for
ginning products are consequently TO be
expected. Favorabl returns of railway
earnings are constantly issued figures
thus far available showing an increase
OF 81 per cent over last year and 179
PER cent over 1901.
Miles of loaded cars and thousands of
tens of coke piled in the yards at Con-
relfsville tell the story of conditions in
the iron and steel industry Furnaces are
closing because of the fuel shortage BY
giving coal, livestock and perishable good
precedence over freight, the railroads
helped consumers everywhere but at
the expense of the leading manufacture
ing industry
Many plants are closed or running only
part time and few orders for distant de-
livery are either sought or offered, owing
to the uncertainty as when normal con-
ditions will prevail. 1t is stated that de-
liveries of pig iron to the leading con-
sumers are several months behind. and
spot Bessemer has risen sharply, and
there is much irregularity as evidenced
by the decline in cast pipes Locomotive
are being turned out of the shops with
ecord-breaking rapidity and other rail-
way equipment is in equally good de-
mand while structural material is still
feature Many additional contracts for
bridge building are recorded
Footwear isc firm with an advancing
tendency although list prices are with
most factories have abundant orders on
hand and there are many buyers in the
market Both sole and upper feathers
are more active, shoe factories taking
freely, especially of hemlock sole. Buyers
have also covered their wants for several
months as to oak backs, and calf skins
are selling freely. Large quantities of
Chicago packer hides sold at unchanged
prices, and foreign dry hides are sSp5ng.
A better inquiry is noted for cotton goods.
yet sales are not materially increased.
owing to the indisposition of sellers to
accept contracts. \ number of lines have
advanced in price. the upward movement
of raw cotton having a natural effect.
Mems wear-woolen and wprsteds-for fail
are now fully opened. and buyers operate
more freely. There is no evidence of
speculative activity. which emphasizes
the wholesome condition of the market
and many lines have been withdrawn.
Failures for the week numbered 24S in
the United tates against $0l last year, and
50 in Canada, compared with 10 year
.4DO