The Oskaloosa herald., 1906-08-09
BUSINESS DOOMED
BY IMMENSE CROPS
FARM PROGRESS DURING JULY
MOST GRATIFYING.
LABOR SUPPLY IS SHORT
Lack OF Farm Hands Causes Delay In
Harvesting of Some Crops, While
Coke Output Is curtailed
to Some Extent.

New York, Aug. Ar. G. Dun &
Aside from the seasonable dullness
In wholesale departments, commercial
activity is well maintained, and early
preparations are made for autumn and
winter business. August opened with
no adverse developments in the trade
situation, while crop progress during
July was most favorable.
Trade reports are especially graft
flying from the northwest and other
points that are dependent upon agri-
cultural results, but all sections of the
nation enjoy great prosperity and
there is scarcely discordant note in
any of the dispatches.
Labor Supply inadequate.
Scarcits of labor is the only serious
complaint, output of coke being cur
tailed, and there is delay in harvesting
some crops, while strikes retard the
rebuilding OF San Francisco; but, on
the other hand, slight modification
Of the 1908 scale has brought back
5000 more bitumirous coal miners and
the threatened struggle at SO paper
mills has been averted, while ad.
vanced wages brought full activity in
the textile industry.
Commodity prices are fairly steady,
cheaper grain because OF large crops
being Offset by strength in the leading
materials of manufacture, while legis-
1ation in Brazil advanced coffee sharp
~.
Railway earnings in July we're SO
per cent larger than a year ago, and
foreign commerce at this port shows
gains of 1888, 669 in imports and
$4sS,OO6 in exports as compared with
the same week last year
Too Much Business.
1t is not often that managers of a
leading industry are uneasy regarding
the future because of too much bust
ness, yet that is becoming the situa-
ton at iron furnaces and steel mills.
Orders on the books are far in excess
of similar comparisons in earlier
years. and there is certainty of con-
gestion if regular fall business is
added.
New England footwear markets are
quiet. Tanners report that shoe manu-
facturers are buying sole leather only
to cover immediate needs, and the
quiet market would result in conces-
sions were it not for the light stocks
and the pronounced strength of hides.
Commercial failures this week in
the United States are $50 against ZIG
last week, 192 the preceding week and
282 the corresponding week last year.
Failures in Canada number 16 against
Is last week, % the preceding week.
and 26 last year.
Bradstreet's Report.
Bradstreet's report in part follows:
Sentiment in general seems to have
become decidedly more optimistic,
practical assurances Of heavy crop
yields, the growing buoyancy of the
iron and steel industry and the rela-
lively heavy volume of ord ers booked
in general lines for fall and winter re.
Quirements being the principal stimu.
II. Iron and steel plants, where not
actually engaged in making repairs,
are being worked to their utmost ca.
pacity, and the action of the principal
producer in resuming dividends on it's
common stock exerted a salutary eff
feet on sentiment.
Evidences multiply that the momen
tum already impaired to trade and in
dustry will receive further impetus
and that the year as a whole will sur
pass any previous period in the coun
trys history.