The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-01-22

and steady gain in sales, the percen-
tage of something like 10 per cent.
as against an increase of Z per cent
one year ago.
Groceries and provisions at retail
have gone ahead a small amount of
perhaps 2 or 8 per cent, while jobbers
of these lines report about the same.
Furniture, crockery and house fur
nishings have been moving fairly well,
but do not show the growth of 1912,
and the gain if anything is small, with
some dealers in high grade. goods re-
porting fall-off attributed to the
reduced income of monied customers.
Footwear has been in normal de-
mand, an anticipated increase of au-
tumn business not having been real
lied from unfavorable weather and
the manufacturers of saple goods ex-
perienced a rather backward year.
On the other hand, factories running
on special lines have turned out large
product
Hardware, structural iron, etc, have
been moving quite freely, and although
prices have not been fully maintained
in all lines, the colume has increased
fully 10 per cent, equalling like gain
for the preceding year
Grain and flour dealers report no
particular increase. the volume just
normal, but prices on the market
have been such as to give rather bet
ter returns in this line than for 1912
Clothing shows gradual but
steady increase in the demand from
year to year, but this is just about
taken up by new retail stores opened,
giving no particular gain to the in
dividual dealers and making much
competition for patronage.
Manufacturers of confectionery and
bakers goods have enjoyed a very
active years business and have made
very satisfactory gain, running from
10 to IL per cent with the leading
factories.
Coal dealers have contended with
unfayorable conditions, the mild
weather prevailing reducing the call
for fuel at least 10 per cent while
slack operations among factories has
reduced the movement of steam coal
even more than this.
Electric power companies, however
report a constant gain from year to
year, the increase for 1913 being esti-
mated at least IL per cent with thu
prospect of further growth very en-
couraging. Gas companies show a
like gain.
Transportation companies had a
good summer tourist business while
the other months of the year have
given usual volume, so there has
been a gain of something from to 8
per cent on the whole.
Automobile dealers have made some
lUCIGdSt III liIOol bht 'h'N 'o
gregate has been depressed if any
thing from inability to get cars in
sufficient numbers to fill existing or
ders. while the garages and dealers
in supplies have increased sales mate
rally
Dry goods jobbers have failed to get
sufficient volume TO yield very
satisfactory returns, and the years
sales have gained but little over 1912.
Agricultural supplies have been sell
ing WELL and the volume has Just
about held up to a year ago which
was an increase at that time. The
call for chemical fertilizers from out
side manufacturers continues to be
strongly maintained, with sales made
direct to farms.
The potato crop amounted to H.
600 900 bushels at soc as against 49,
100000 at 40c per bushel in 1912 with
an average of 220 bushels per acre,
double the average of any other state.
The apple crop was short, but of a
somewhat improved quality, and sold
al prices encouraging to the grower.
The pack of sweet corn was again
much below normal, the Gamers
making only 80 to rs per cent deliy-
cries, but of a superior quality
The sardine pack again fell OH
much below the average, some esti-
mating less than 50 per cent OF the
normal, with the result that prices
have advanced and stock carried over
has been moved to advantage put on
the other hand circulation OF money
in the eastern coast is short from cur
tailed pay-rolls at the factories On
the other hand coastwise granite
quarries are getting more paving OUT
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