The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1908-12-24
THE COAL TRADE
UAUSUALLY SLOW
DEMAND Is INCREASING BUT PRO.
DucTloN TOO BIG.
GENERAL BUSINESS IS GOOD
Holiday Traffic Slows Gratifying In.
crease Over Last Year-lnquir-
les For Pig Iron Are
- More Frequent.

Chicago, Dec. l9.-The Black Dia-
mond today says: "All coal markets
this week report conditions as unusual
ly dull. In the east the anthracite pro-
ducers are showing an output in ex-
cess of demand, the surplus being
placed in storage against the posi-
bihty OF strike next year Kanawha
producers We're favored by a slight
rise in river that PERMITTED them to
ship a million bushels of coal to re-
plenish some depleted stocks at river
points. Ohio mines are still running
at about sixty per cent of capacity and
even then are compelled TO distribute
coal over wide area to find mar
ket. Kentucky operators are finding
practically no market for the prepared
sides and only a slow demand for the
steam coal. Indiana and Illinois mines
have encountered feeble demand,
only, for domestic coal and have cur
tailed production. Their fine Goals
are encountering dull market be-
cause manufacturing activity Is slow
ing down. Southwestern mines are
up against slow demand for domes-
tic coal although the trade Is better
than expected owing to the failure of
gas supply in certain sections. Col
orado reports reasonable fair wealth
er and the need of snow in three
states to help out the coal producers.
On the upper lake territory the trade
is decidedly slow because consumers
refused to take in coal in excess of
immediate needs.
General Business Good.
New York, Dec. 19.-R. G. Dun &
Company's weekly review of trade to-
day says: -
Holiday trade was active. Certain
sections reported substantial in
crease over the volume of year ago,
and where weather conditions are fav-
orable there is good retail move
ment of seasonable merchandise.
Wholesale and jobbing house do about
the customary amount of business for
this time of year. Forward spring
contracts have been most encouraging
many mills and factories having good
orders for shipment, during the next
three months, but there Is still more
or less idle machinery in the leading
industries. Mercantile collections are
prompt for the season and trade shows
tendency to improve gradually. Re-
ports are especially encouraging from
5 the central states and the northwest
Inquiries for pig iron continue to
be quite numerous and fall contracts
have been placed during this week,
chiefly for delivery during the first
quarter of 1909, and prices remain I'M
changed. There is a good movement
of billets and bars on old contracts.
Prices are steady except at special
sales from second hands, where some
accumulation has occurred. On the
whole the extensive curtailment of &C.
tivity at the, mills that occurred ear
lier in the year has produced strong
statistical situation.
''Seasonable quiet prevails in foot.
wear, statesmen having returned to
New England factories, and mail Or
ders are only fair. Recent advances
in prices also contribute to the scare
ity of new business. Producers Of
heavy shoes have received orders,
and most shops are in a position to
keep machinery active until the de-
mand resumes normal dimensions.
Leather is also dull, and some back
ward lines have been distributed by
naming concessions, but most varie-
ties are firmly held. A lighter de-
mand for hides has tended to weaken
quotations, except for sole leather
branded hides that are scarce"