The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-01-07
Business and the Outlook.

ago, and only % per cent. less
than in 1906, when everything
was riding on the top of tidal
wave of prosperity. Early last
week stocks reached the highest
price during 1908, which was
only 81 below the highest figures
of 1907 and an average gain of al
most 500 share for sixty of the
most active railroad securities
from the lowest point year ago.
Bank clearings last week were
not quite so large as the week be-
fore, but the loss was small: and
the gain over year ago was
more than 19 per cent
Many industrial establish
ments have curtailed their ac-
tlvities over the holidays, taking
stock and making repairs, but as
they start up now that the annual
interruption of business is over
there will be more machinery
running than at any time last
year. From the first of the panic
the manufacturers have checked
their production and retailers
have curtalled their purchases.
AS a result of this the stocks of
retailers are greatly depleted,
and the manufacturers are not
carrying stocks of goods; with
rare exceptions they have been
running only on orders. Now
that there is complete confidence
in trade expansion there are no
stocks ut either end of the line to
be worked off, and there is every
indication that the demands of
the retailers will soon compel the
manufacturers to run all the
machinery they have.
The weather has not been the
most favorable for the distrlbu-
ton of goods at retail. Dealers
would be glad to have severer
weather to drive their customers
to them for heavy clothing. rub
bers and winter convenlences
generally. Occasionally the holl-
day trade was disappointment
Possibly too large supplies were
laid in. AT any rate, at some
points considerable stocks have
been brought over. But almost
, everywhere the testimony Is that
the holiday buying was extreme.
ly good; nearly equal to the best
we have had.
The iron and steel markets
are not weak, but they are ex-
tcemely quiet. There have been
no large transactions. 1t Is be
lieved that the probability of a
reduction of duties Is having
some influence in deterrlng free
buying, Customers who believe
that IN few months dutiesS Sand
therefore prices, will be reduced,
are not buying more than they
need at present. This, however,
IS only one of many factors. Only
a part OF the buying can be defer
red SIX months, and there Is al
ways tendency to exaggerate
the influence of legislation on
business. There is confident,ex-
pectatlon of a speedy improve
ment from the present quiet.
The receipts of iron ore at Lake
Erie ports last year were four
sevenths of the amount received
in 1907. The total amount of fab
ricated structural steel produced
last year is believed to have been
a little more than million tons.
The Boston wool market shows
some activity after few weeks
of lethargy. The sales last week
were not heavy, but they amount
ed to about three times as much
as the sales of the preceding
week. No great amount of buy
!, ing is expected in the near future,
but prices are firm, and in some
cases where small increases were
demanded, the buyers acted so
| promptly that the sellers res ret
ted not asking more. The Phila
delphla wool market is in fairly
good condition, with small stocks
and firm prices. New business
IN the dry goods market has been
moderate. The tone OF the cot
ton goods market IS a little firm
err, and most OF the mills have or.
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