The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-02-13
CAR SHORTAGE PREVENTS DELIVERY
UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND Eoa
EVERY KIND OF STAPLE
HARDLY OFFSETS.

changes are in evidence in the general
business situation locally All branches
OF merchandising are still laboring un-
der the serious disturbing factor of
lack of goods with which to supply the
demands of the trade, and there ap-
pears to be an added congestion from
week to week. 1t is estimated that
there are over 500 carloads of mer-
chandise now tied up along the lines
OF the northern tranScOntinental rail-
ways, between Puget Sound and the
Great Lakes, much of which is ur-
gently needed for caring for current
requirements, says the West Coast
Trade. Probably 1000 cars are await
ing delivery to Tacoma jobbers, which
were expected from two to six weeks
ago, and instead of the situation get
ting better the congestion is being aug
mented until in some cases the roads
are refusing to receive freight deliv-
cred to them at the Minnesota trans
fer for coast delivery.
Snowfall Complexities.
The snowfall and heavy rains dur
ing the past week have served to still
further complicate matters by inter-
posing snow blockades, floods, wash
auts and otherwise impairing the ply
steal conditions of the railroads, so
very little progress can be made in al
leviating conditions until settled wea-
Their sets in. There is no trouble on
the score of business transacted by To-
cal jobbers during January was well
in excess OF the same month year
ago in the face of the most trying
conditions in the history of the local
market, and the future prospects still
present indications of remarkable ac-
tivity, the only limitation being in
the direction of providing facilities
for accommodating the activities of the
Pacific Northwest.
Wheat Crop Tied Up.
In the face of interruption to the
marketing of crops and manufactured
productions, collections are we'll up to
the normal, and the retail trade up
pears to be occupying a strong posi-
ton. One of the most annoying fea-
lures of the existing conditions. how
<ho 1or G
money tied up in the purchase OF un-
available stocks. Merchants who have
made extensive purchase of goods in
the East are compelled to disburse
large sums upon the receipt OF in
voices, while the goods themselves
are tied up en- route, and may not ar
rive for weeks. Grain buyers have
thousands of bushels of wheat pur-
chased and put in warehouses immed-
lately after harvest, for which they
cannot procure cars for delivery at
tidewater. while farmers are unable
to realize upon their crops for the
same cause.
Deep Water Shipping Quiet.
Deep water shipping is naturally
rather quiet. outside of the lumber
traffic, which shows representative
proportions. There is little overland
freight moving for delivery to- the
Orient, wheat exports are held up and
flour mills are unable to execute or
ders for foreign shipment because OF
the inability of procuring wheat for
grinding purposes. Flour shipments
to the Orient were we'll up 10 the
record during January, however, and
the prospects are good for future bust
ness in that direction during the pal
ance of the export season. There were
also fair cotton shipments during the
month, indicating that demands are
becoming trif1e better, after period
of depression in China, while there
remain few indications of the boycott
which affected business during the
larger portion of 1906 Business with
Japan is also well maintained, despite
the indulgence in war talk. while COM
mercial interests are not inclined to
regard seriously the alarmist talk
which is altogether too pronounced In
certain quarters.
General development is going 1or-
ward steadily and satisfactorily Ia
coma building permits for the month
of aJnuary aggregated in value $685.
$780, as compared with $114,45o 1or the
(initial month of 1906, in the face OF
the coolest and most unsatisfactory
weather for out-of-doors operations OF
a decade, with the added drawback OF
unsettled strikes in the building
trades, which serves to hold many
projects in allegiance, through the pros
poets for the early spring are bright
ening steadily.