Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-31
ONLY DULL SPOT
In the Country Just Now Is in
Wall Street.
Everywhere Else Finances and Com
mercial Industries Are Booming.
Shippers lmportunate to Have Fair
Show With Coal. aie

New York, Jan. 3O.-R. G. Dun &
Cos. Weekly Review of Trade will say,
tomorrow: Wall street continues to be
the only dull point in the country, and
even speculative inactivity is not ac-
companied by any evidence of weak
ness. Financial conditions are excep-
tionally satisfactory rates for money
ruling low in response to increased re-
serves IN the associated banks, While
funds return from the interior on q
large scale. Strong returns from lead
ing banks, abroad, indicate that there
will be no immediate pressure for gold
exports, and the collapse of wheat
speculation liberated funds besides i'm
proving the outlook for exports. Do
mestic trade and industry continues 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 shippers are impor-
tunate. Clearance sales are about end
ed. leaving only small stocks of winter
goods. Advance business in spring de-
liveries is very heavy and fall con-
tracts are also placed literally. In
most cases where there is no delay on
fuel account, manufacturing plants are
busy, though cost of materials and la
Dor is very high. Firm prices for fin
ished products are consequently to be
expected. Favorable returns of rail-
way earnings are constantly issued.
Miles of loaded cars and thousands
Of fnn Of anJx I'll
Connellsville, tell the story of condi-
tons in the iron and steel industry.
Furnaces are closing because of the
fuel shortage, which at many points is
now more acute than at any previous
time.
Footwear is firm, with an advancing
tendency, although list prices are with
out change. Manufacturers are maxi
ing deliveries of spring goods on time,
January shipments through Boston ex-
ceeding last years. New business is
light but most factories have abundant
orders on hand and there are many
buyers in the market. Trade is some
what restricted by the firm views of
sellers, especially as to satin goods,
which are in demand. While future
deliveries are. arranged with caution,
there is good inquiry for immediate
needs. Statesmen at the West with fall
samples are meeting with satisfactory
results, wholesalers buying freely, and
while tine local jobbing trade is dull
there is a better export demand
10th sole and upper leather are more
active, shoe factories taking freely, es-
pecially Of helnlock sole.
A better inquiry is noted for cotton
goods, yet sales are not materially In
creased. owing to the indisposition of,
sellers to accent contracts. A number
of lines have advanced in price, the up
ward movement of raw cotton having
n natural effect.
According to dispatches the week has
been quiet at st. John, some houses re-
porting liberal orders, but mainly for
future delivery, and the movement of
merchandise is light. Ocean freights
continue low, although coasting rates
are firm. l''&a
Trade at Quebec continues good and
spring orders come in freely. Matur-
ing paper is promptly met. Montreal
reports good wholesale movement for
January. Groceries are not active,
some of the larger houses being still
engaged on annual balances but bust
ness in hardware has opened earlier than
usual, with especially heavy demand
for metals and paints. Spring dry
goods move briskly, shoe factories are
busy and collections are prompt.
Wholesale trade is moderately active
at Toronto and travellers orders for
spring goods are larger than at this
period last year, with prospects excel
lent Payments are satisfactory.
Little change has occurred i'll the sit
uation at Vancouver. Wholesalers re-
port January trade in excess of last
years and prospects favorable. Retail
trade is quiet in most lines and collec-
tons are fair.
Failures, this week, in the United
States are 243 against 265 last week.
and 301 the corresponding week, last
year, ard in Canada 80 against 81 last
week, and 40 last year.