Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-17
DUN'S REVIEW.
Coal Shortage Is Disturbing
Manufacturers.
Steel and Leather Markets Growing
Stronger.
General Good Condition in Staples, and
General Good Condition in Staples, and
Failures Fewer.

Cos. Weekly Review of Trade will say,
tomorrow: Fuel shortage is still the
one seriously disturbing element in the
Industrial situation. Transporting ia
eilities have been diverted from other
merchandise to the disadvantage of
shippers, yet iron furnaces are unable
many other manufacturing plants are
closed because of inadequate coal deliv-
cries. Mines are more fully operated
but there is no prospect of normal con-
ditions until spring. Extremely low
temperature during the past week
stimulated distribution of heavy cloth
ing and other seasOnable goods. Re-
tail trade was accelerated by the GUS
tomary clearance sales, especially in
dry goods and kindred branches.
Travelling men are. sending in large Or
ders fer spring goods, the volume Of
advance business SURPRISING the Gus
tomary amount of this time of year.
Stock market operations have exceeded
the corresponding week of last year.
Railway earnings thus far available for
January show average gains of SO per
cent. over last year. Currency is re-
turning TO this center and rates for
money have resumed more normal
position.
Quiet conditions in the iron and steel
markets do not mean dullness or di-
.ninishing consumption, but merely the
oversold condition of furnaces and
mills, together with great uncertainty
about keeping plants active on q day
to day supply of fuel. Inquiries are
"A.
but makers are not ready to accept bids
until the future appears more definite.
New plans constantly come forward
for large Office buildings, notably at
the West. which means vigorous con-
sumption of structural steel and the
demands from car builders is phenom-
email.
Eastern manufacturers of foot wear
are fully employed on spring shoes. but
new orders are light for later delivery,
although Western jobbel's purchase
freely cf fall samples.
Current shipments ARE very large,
iobbers no longer complaining of tardy
deliveries. A strong tone is maintain
ed, with no change in prices of imme-
liate forwardings, although an increase
is asked on fall goods. Quiet condi-
tons in leather have been succeeded by
an increased demand for hemlock sole
and standard upper, the manufacturers
placing liberal orders. Hemlock tan
rers have orders for more than ware
house supplies. Last weeks slight re-
coyery in the hide market was not sus-
tanned, many varieties declining still
further. Sales increased at the better
to, f,,a6 !, i,,p =
in volume, buyers arriving in greater
numbers, and the prospect favors still
more activity in the latter half of the
month. There is little disposition to
anticipate wants in the cotton goods di-
vision. but immediate needs have evil
IDENTIFY grown more pressing. Stocks
nave not accumulated at points OF pro-
duction. and the tone grows firmer. In
the wooden goods division the opening
Of piece dyes was made at an advance,
but not as much as some sellers antici-
pated.
Only moderate fluctuations have &C..
Cured in the great staples. Increased
receipts of live stock fail to depress
prices. Cotton is also maintained at a
steady position by lower crop estimates
and uniform consumptivc demand.
Failures, this week in the United
States are 267, against $50 last week,
md 3S4 in the corresponding week of
asst year, and in Canada 80, against "a,
asst week, and 40 last year.
Stock taking is general at Halifax,
making trade quiet as a rule, but COIL
ditions are favorable aud prospects
promising. Trade conditions are prac-
tically unchanged at st. John. the bulk
IF orders being for future delivery. Re-
)orts from lumber regions indicate
progress with conditions favorable to
operators. Wholesale trade shows q
light increase at Toronto with pros
poets bright for spring business. Gem
raj stocks are limited and prices of
staples firm.
Quebec reports good trade, travellers
are sending in orders freely and COL
ections on. the whole are we'll up to the
mark. Montreal travellers are all on
sheir routes and business is recovering
rom the comparative quiet of the holt
lays. Prospects are excellent and pay
merits we'll met. Winnipeg and Van
eouvcr report trade conditions I'M
hanged.