Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-08
TRADE CONDITIONS.
Reports From Western and Southwest
ern Territory-NewE England.

NEW YORK, April Especial dispatches
from correspondents of the International
Mercantile Agency report general trade
activity throughout western and southwest
ern territory. Advance business in some
lines shows a decline from last year with
buyers everywhere very cautious, ordering
only such supplies as are actually needed.
Territory tributary to St Louis is feeling
the impetus of exposition business,
which has averaged large this week. and
promises to expand as the day for opening
the fair approaches. Jobbers in most sec
lions are doing better than year ago.
Textile manufacturing is quite generally de-
pressed, with 30 or 40 per cent of machin-
cry idle - some sections.
New EiO,and advices report unsatisfac-
tory trade conditions as a result OF the
partial shut down of cotton mills and the
decision of prominent Fall River manufac-
turers to curtail production from now on.
Unless relief is forthcoming general shut
down seems probable by July or August.
Southern centers show falling on in dry
goods compared with 1903 and 1902 figures
Boots, shoes and clothing about normal
The Baltimore district shows good trade,
with signs Of fast recovery from fre dis
turbances.
Weather Affects the West.
st. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth sections
have not yet fully recovered from the ef-
fects of the severest weather encountered
in years. Spring business is now fairly well
under way and the large jobbing houses
are handling relatively larger orders than
they reported at this time year ago Crop
conditions in that section are good Inc
-four mills are doing a heavy business.
farmers receiving generally higher prices.
These reports reflect conditions prevailing
generally throughout the northwest where
the outlook seems excellent for prosper
Gus year.
Rochester districts reports nursery ship
ments fully a month late. Orders for spring
and summer clothing run much ahead or
last year Shoe orders are considerably less
than 1903 Conditions in iron and steel are
generally stronger.
Staple Markets Improved.
The staple markets, while huctuating
sharply, have not moved sensationally and
are somewhat improved. Advices received
by the International Mercantile Agency in
dictate continued ease in money. There has
been considerable inquiry at New York
for lover the year loans. There has been
little inquiry for six months loans, which
are ordinarily in demand, because they
would mature this year just before the
presidential election
Although gold exports have been resumed.
81 $50 900 having been shipped to Paris this
week. the outflow is not likely to create a
stringency or cause banks to restrict &C
commodations to legitimate borrowers. In
spite of New York's billion dollar loan &C
count, the banks of that city hold surplus
reserves that have been exceeded only three
times at a similar period of the year during
the last quarter century. Most Of the ac-
tiyity I'm the stock market Is still in the
hands of very rich men.
Millionaire operators have been chiefly in
str1mental in forcing prices to higher
level. The public In general has held aloof.
although sentiment has improved and the
market possesses elements of undoubted
strength.