Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-09

the eve of a building boom, the fever
for which Is moving west from the
Mississippi river. Several architects
are drawing. up plans for very fine
business and educational structures
which are hoped for this spring; but
at present writing these are problem
atical, although highly desirable. The
brick men report the scarcity of brick
a thing of the past, and by spring
there will be plenty, where last spring
there was "gaunt famine" Manufac-
turers assure the public that appre-
hension on the part of certain con-
tractors as to possible advance in the
price of common brick Is unwarranted.
The new and costly plant Of the Salt
Lake Brick company is approaching
completion. and this with the enlarge
ments made at other plants Is an as
surance that there will be no trouble
the coming season. At present build
ing operations arc few and far be-
tween, though the present temporary
pleasant weather is tempting TO con-
tractors TO engage in cellar excava-
tons Rapid progress Is being made
on the Railroad Exchange building
excavation.
HARDWARE QUIET.
The hardware trade reports a quiet
week, with business largely prospective
on account of the wretched condition
of the country roads, which prevent
hauling freights of any kind. The
roads out in Nevada and in the mining
camps OF this state are largely quag-
mires, making teaming something not
to be attempted. So consignees are
waiting for cold weather or continued
warm and dry weather to harden the
roads up, so that teaming may become
possible once more. BY that time many
of the delayed consignments from the
east will have arrived, and shipments
from this city to the camps will be re-
sumed at lively rate. Dealers still re-
port strong demand for harness ana
saddlery goods. The roller skate de-
mand has at length been fully sup
piled.
The wholesale dry goods trade is
what the New England storekeeper
would call fair to middling.' The To-
cal market is still comparatively bare
of prints and ginghams, and likely to
continue so until relief from congestion
of freights comes, and goods ordered
in the dim and misty past shall have
been received. Many orders sent east
for goods by local jobbers are now as
hoary and gray headed as the move
ments of the senate in the Smoot case,
and there is no telling yet when they
will be filled. Cottons are advancing,
linens are advancing--it is advance, adj
vance all along the line, and no one
knows when the advance will stop. 1t
may continue until prices are reached
which are prohbitory to would-be pur-
chasers Summer goods are being oc-
casionally received. as there is raise
In the freight embargo, and large con-
signment of wool bags is looked for
next week.
RETAIL DRESS GOODS.
In the retail trade, new dress goods,
new silks, new suits, and many other
lines are arriving and being displayed
on the cases and in the show windows:
and there are purchasers already for
these goods. In the meantime winter
goods of all kinds are being marked
down, in not a few cases, below half of
the prices charged early in the winter,
as merchants are DESTROYS OF cleaning
out all heavy stocks early in the spring.
However. winter goods will remain on
the shelves and on the tables until the
middle of April anyhow. Retailers are
from their notions counters and report
heavier sales than ever this season.
Valentine day comes next week, Thurs
day.
CLOTHING AND SHOES.
The clothing trade reports business
not so good this week, but on the whole
1t is fair. Middleweight spring goods
are being received. and placed on the
tables and shelves; and trade In hats
and mems wear continues about the
same.
The local shoe trade reports business
rather quiet, but better than such
weather as this would lead one to sus-
pect The dry weather has cut out
rubber sales for the time being, though
until recently trade In this line was
very good. Eastern manufacturers
continue very busy on spring orders,
with buyers making large purchases
for the fall. Dealers say prices for next
season will be higher Shipment OF
shoes from Boston are beginning to in
crease. though not up to the records OF
one year ago. A recent weeks ship
ment was 95,372 cases as compared with
90, 4sS cases for the corresponding
week of the previous year. The de-
mand for stock is steady and standing
contracts are requiring all that can be
secured from the tannerles. Kid con-
tlnues in good request. and Salt Lake
retailers report a demand already for
spring Oxfords.