The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-05-31
MARKETS OF THE NORTHWEST
General Improvement is Noted in
Trade Conditions

TACOMA, May 31.-With the close
of the month there has been a grad
ual Improvement in general business
throughout the Pacific northwest. Dis
tribution has been on larger scale
generally than during the latter half
of April, though the total returns for
that month will probably foot up a lit
tie ahead of May in the jobbing field
This fact is accounted for, however, by
the arrival Of goods in the fore part of
that month that had been long delayed
in the railway blockade, and their
movement to the retail trade, W lille de-
mands since that period have been in
fiuenced by the fact that stocks were
quite fully replenished. Conditions,
however. are maintaining a very fav-
orable attitude. with no marked tend
encies or developments of great sig
nif1cance.
The marked advance in wheat has
served to distribute considerable addi-
tional money among producers and
consumers. despite the fact that the
bulk of the crop was already out of
III 81 lldIuS, anu lIlS1c Is sui d ldlI
movement of cereals, despite the ad-
vanced season. The most pronounced
effects, however, are likely to be felt
after harvest. Just at present there
is every reason to expect that the pro-
duct of the grain growing sections of
the Pacific northwest will go to the
record, and interior merchants are
looking forward with confidence to an
enormous fall trade, with the brightest
possible prospects for it's being rea-
lized.
In Industrial circles generally there
are few changes of Importance. The
shingle mills have practically decided
upon the closing down of their plants
| for a period of two or three weeks, in
| order to prevent overstocking and de-
| moralization of values, but this is a
| normal development for the summer
| season, after spring demands have
been satisfied, the present producing
| capacity of this district being consij-
erably in excess of the normal demands
with the further complication that de-
! liveries have been interrupted for
weeks by the railway situation. Lum-
Der manufacturers are still operating
| freely, and there is strong, steady de-
| mand from both rail and water trade
most of the shipping ports breaking
| their records of exports with each sue
ceeding month. Flour manufacturers
are still turning down export orders
| because of the fact that they have
booked sufficient business to carry
them through to the close of next
month. or until the switch into new
seasons business is made. The ship
ping movement continues heavy, while
prices have been again advanced al
along the line.
The situation, on the whole, con.
tinues very encouraging for an excep.
tional volume of business continuing
; throughout the season. Condition!
have improved geenrally, with tn,
moderation of the weather Throughout
the east, and there are fewer com
plants from that quarter. While tn,
crop outlook has been impaired, tn,
prosperity of the country is such tina
it will be well maintained, and Thu
, feature is a factor of moment in in
/ surfing to the Pacific northwest a con
tinuation of the forward movement
. that has been so pronounced during
the past half decade.