The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-07-13
GENERAL TRADE FAVORABLE
Some Stacking for Midsummer
Season, Prices Normal

TACOMA, July 13.-Despite the in
reference of holiday which marks
the general suspension of business OPP
erations, the week has been one of
continued satisfactory returns in mer-
camille operations There are few
lines in which distribution is not ex-
ceeding expectations, and, while there
is the natural halt in activities, in
some directions that is characteristic
of the midsummer season, the situa-
ton on the whole maintaining a very
favorable aspect.
Logging camps are pretty generally
closed down for a month or two,
owing to the large accumulation of
stocks in the water, and there has
been noticeable a sOftening tone to
the market, though prices are appar-
emily only seeking more normal
level after having been elevated to
point which overstimulated operations
in the camps during a period when
the mills were unable to make free
deliveries of their products. The lum-
Der situation is commencing to show
some Improvement. Most of the
mills have resumed operations follow
ing the annual closing down for the
Fourth. and locally, practically all
plants are running. There is still diff
ficulty in securing rolling stock for ac-
commodating the rail trade, and the
coastwise situation remains in de-
moralized condition, but progress is
being made in the settlement of the
building trades strike at San Fran
cisco, and it is expected that demands
from that source will soon be restored
The Touring mills expect to shut
down generally about the middle of
the month in order to get ready for
handling next seasons crop, but they
have been operating at record pace
during the past three months and
the demand for flour is still far in ex-
the year. The Union Pacific has COM
menced tearing down buildings pre-
paratory to track laying for its Ia
coma terminals, and is making con-
siderable deliveries of construction
materials. while the general demand
for labor during the next two months
will be sufficient to furnish profitable
employment.
Harvest will open. in a few days in
the fall grain fields. and estimates
Of the crop are commencing to grow
bigger as the season advances without
the development of any deterrent in
fiuence of note. The most serious
feature of the week was the preva-
lence of a severe storm in a limited
section of the grain belt, but it is not
thought that the damage from this
source will be of any consequence in
determining the ultimate extent of the
made which run as high as 100000
900 bushels of wheat for the state
of Washington. based upon an aver
age yield of 20 bushels for 100000
acres of land under crop.
Local building operations are stu
maintaining enlarged proportions from
the same time last year. and the rec
ord of the first six months of 1907
bears out the prediction that nearly
$5,000.0O0 will be spent in new con-
struction in Tacoma During the
twelve months.
In some quarters there is advance
talk of the possible effect of the
campaign year in influencing trade
adversely. and it is not impossible
that some manipulation may be evil
denced i nthat direction. but there is
not the slightest indication that the
presidential election will be a de-
pressing element in legitimate bust
ness to any appreciate degree.