New-York tribune., 1908-02-22
CONDITION OF TRADE.
Dun's Review says,


Further slight Improvement is noted in the vol
ume of trade, and confidence in the future is also
greater, but progress Is slow. Buyers have at
tended the primary and jobbing markets in large
numbers, placing fair orders for spring goods
although the disposition Is still restrict opera
tons to small quantities, upon which prompt ship
ment is usually urged Manufacturers anticipate
early supplementary orders. however. as the
pressure for quick delivery is considered indorss-
ment of the general belief that stocks are low
More mills ana factories have resumed. and il is
announced that many other plants will open next
month, while lower costs of construction revive
consideration OF plans FOR extensions and new
buildings that were postponed last fall Official
returns of immigration in January show a decrease
of exactly One-half, compared with the same
month last year, while the movement OF merchan-
disc supplied balance in this nations favor of
s120.513131, about double what 1t in January
1907. Exports again rose above $500 600 900 or
within $91S,161 of the high record established in
the previous month, but imports were the smallest
in any month since July 1908. Foreign trade AT
this port alone for the latest week showed a gain
of s2617,961 in exports and decrease of S4120 sol
in imports. as compared with the same week last
year Railway earnings thus tar reported for Feb
ruary Is 9 per cent less than In 1907 but Sc
curitcS recovered moderately after touching a low
point Wednesday. Time money became slightly
ffrmer account of payments in connection with
the local municipal bond issue. which proved even
more successful than at first seemed nrobabe b1t
call loans have ruled at per cent or less because
of little borrowing in speculative channels The
factor partly responsible for the decrease
of 31.5 per cent in bank exchanges at New York as
compared with the corresponding week last year
other leading cities there loss only 10 5
per cent.
Bradstreet's says:
widespread stormy weather has had the effect
of du!linG distributive trade, interruptng railway
traffic and restricting the movement OF grain 10
market 10 the smallest volume in TWENTY-FIVE
months. In addition. floods in the Ohio and tribu-
taIy valleys have restricted industrial operations
for time. On the other hand. the heavy precipi-
tatlon of rain, and later of snow. has had "a favor
able effect upon winter wheat. which now has n
good covering, and the coal trade In the West and
retail trade in rubber goods and shoes have been
benefited. JobbinS trade. judging from the reports
received. continues. as recently noted n good sized
aggregate of small orders for immediate or near
shipment being reported at leading markets. Mili-
merry drygoods and kindred lines are in chief de-
mand, with staple goods preferred to novelties.
which latter are rather neglected. The consensus
of reports is that country merchants careful
close buyers. and not taking any more than
they can outlet for. Retail trade Is at a
transition point and is quiet a whole. responding
the decreased purchasing power Of the wage
earning classes Talk nj reduction in wages by
railroads ana others is widespread. Industrial
affairs show little change with shItdowns or short
time about counterhalancing assumptions"
Some famous persons have experienced what Is
known stage fright Josiah