St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1915-02-27
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THE WEEK.

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strengthening CT confidence and q
moderate, though perceptible, expan-
sion in trade activity. Nothing il
Illustrates more wildly the enormous
gains made in the last six months
than the decline in foreign exchange
to quotations far below the usual
gold import point, but while some
gold has been drawn from Canada,
money is in so ample supply that
large shipments are now needed; in
deed credit supplies are SO great
that, following the example of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, the New York
Central has announced a new $780,
100000 bond issue. Financially,
the United States is becoming sound
er and stronger every day. The Eu-
ropean war still hangs as cloud
over the situation and questions of
the rights of neutrals are acute and
render still more difficult the ship
ping problem. Exports, however,
continue in great volume, creating
Ia big balance of International trade
in favor Of this country, and more
than offsetting the return of Ameri-
can securities from abroad. During
the latest week the excess Of exports
amounted to the great sum of $751;
$4,000. The outward movement of
cotton, aggregating in nine weeks
over $2,6OO,OOO bales, has changed
conditions in the South from depres-
sion and alarm to feeling of COM
parative security, which must in
crease steadily. The services of the
Cotton Pool have not been required.
Railroad earnings in January showed
a decline from the previous year of
1913 per cent, but traffic conditions
are improving, and equipment orders
are being placed, though on conserv-
alive volume. In iron and steel,
these demands in connection with
large export sales, are encouraging
features, and an optimistic review of
trade conditions by the chief execu-
tive Of the Steel Corporation was one
of the events of the week. Retail
trade is for the moment rather in
active, but reports indicate generally
low stocks. A feeling of confidence,
prevails, particularly in sections. fav-
Ored by the high price for farm pro-
ducts. Cotton goods continue firm.
The silk trade is irregular, but con-
ditions are described as generally sat
isfactory. Higher prices for wollen
goods, due to the strength of raw
wool, tend to restrict demand, but
the volume of business is believed to
be we'll in advance of last year.
There is further enlargement of
output in certain departments of iron
and steel and the leading interest,
which gained 411,928 tons in untitled
orders during January, now has
about SIS per cent of capacity active.
Numerous inquiries are appearing
for track supplies, and spike fac
tories In the Pittsburg district are in
creasing working time. New build
ing work, however, continues quiet,
tlthough prices are firmer on for
ward business and $1.20 is the mini
mum for plates, shapes and bars for
the last half. A better tone pre-
walls II crude steel and, as a rule,
$40, Pittsbu1g, is maintained for
Bessemer and open hearth billets,
while moderate sales of pig iron are
reported at practically unchanged
On the other hand, av-
erages for January show slight losses
as compared with December. For
the first time in weeks, production of
coke shows an increase, additional
having been provided for by
the leading steel makers. Demand
is broadening, but thus far prices re-
feet little or no Improvement.
Large numbers of retailers have
appeared in the dry goods markets
an dar buying in small lots for early
deliveries. Very fair orders are re-
ceived from travelling statesmen for
domestics, flannels and fall lines OF
wash fabrics, while bleached cotton
goods continue in steady demand.
Prints are quiet, but ginghams are
in better request, although some lots
)f the latter are being offered for
quick sales at low figures. There is
} continued inquiry for duck for ex-
port and the mills are more actively
engaged than in recent previous
Indications point to a
broad spring distribution of white
md printed goods, but the dyestu1s |
lifficulty remains hindrance In the
,olored goods division. In woolens
Ind worsted, large sales of broad
cloths have been made for fall de-
livery. but staple serges and similar |
merchandise are not being freely |
AIKEN. While spring trade from do
nestle sources in mems wear is baer-
y half of normal, some Of the larger
mills are comfortably supplied with |