Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-24
Business Moving Smooth
", on a Firm Basis.
Manufacturing Plants Are Run
ming With Full Orders.
Textile Mills Operating on Large Scale
Spring Shoe Business Good.

New York. Feb. o3-R. G.. Dun &
Cos Weekly Review of Trade tomor-
row will say:
Holidays and erratic weather were
alculatec TO interrupt progress in COM
mercial channels but business has be-
come established on too sound 4 basis
To reflect adverse influences of such
4 temporary character. sections that
experienced especially high tempera-
ture report the early opening OF spring
lines with most satisfactory results;
excessive moisture elsewhere proved
beneficial for manufacturing purposes
while 1T other points Scasonable mer-
chandiSe was distributed freely.
Manufacturing plants report new
orders that assure activity still further
into the future and several dividend
announcements show gains over recent
preceding years, while some New
England cotton mills are only deferred
from full activity by scarcity of labor.
Textile mills are operating on u large
scale, no increases being noted in the
percentage OF idle Machinery but pri-
mary markets are quiet. although a
steady jobbing distribution is recorded.
Probably the unsettled market for
raw material has done much to re-
tard buying at first hands, despite the
fact that many lines are sold ahead to
an unusual extent and there is danger
that prompt shipments cannot be ar
ranged. Considering the extent of the
recent decline in cotton it is not sur
rrising that purchasers of goods hope
to force concessions by restricting oper-
atoms. During the past two weeks it
is probable that 10000 bales of cotton
goods have been purchased by China.
but this demand appears to have ceas-
ed.
Current business in wooden is light.
some cancellations being received but
most mills have large orders on hand
and show more interest in the raw ma
terial markets. Stocks Of woods are
not large i'll any position prices are
ruling steady and the only important
influence is sight is the London auc-
ton sales.
Footwear manufacturers in New
England have received good volume
of supplementary spring business at
full quotations in addition to the liberal
amount of business already on hand
and the independent position of the
producers is shown by the announce
ment that contracts for fall lines will
not lie accepted at present prices for
delivery later than June. Local job
bling trade continues satisfactory both
city and out-Of-toWn retailers purchas-
ing literally. Leather is more irregu-
lar. buyers operating less freely ana
tanners are required to make Conccs-
SiOnS. HemlOck sole leather is firm but
oak tannaSeS sell cent lower in some
instances. Side upper leather now
averages about half Il cent below re-
cent best prices. Current hides are of
poor quality and in light demand which
makes prices uOminally lower although
it is chiefly Il matter of seasOnab!e de-
terioration.
Failures this week We're 21S in the
United States against 252 last year ana
IS in Canada compared with % Il year
ago.
Bradstreet's State of Trade tomorrow
will say:
There was fair trade in the Domin-
ion. Bad roads and mild weather have
caused accumulation of goods in retail
ers hands. and recorder business has
therefore been light. Collections are
still backward
Failures for the week ending Thurs
day number -, against .. in this week
4 year ago.