Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1902 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

U V L I resumption of rIGV IOrK. I anthracite coal mining it " 'encouraging, although the output is not yet sufficient to have nuy commercial value. Business conditions are unsatisfactory at the strike center, but reports from all other sections indicate unusually prompt revival after the summer vacation season, with exceptionally large operations ainoug dealers in the agricultural regions. Notwithstanding some bad weather, large crops are now practically assured, although the most sanguine results may not be attained. Manufacturing plants are now fully occupied os a rule, the least gratifying reports coming from furnaces that cannot secure coke, owing to railway blockades. The transportation problem is becoming serious, as the factor of crop moving is about to lie added, and moreover, much coal must be moved by rail that usually goes to consumers by lake and canal.” The foregoing is from the Weekly Trade Review of R. G. Dun & Go. It continues: Iron furnaces are suspending production because coke cannot he secured, and it is evident that the rate of output at the opening of the new month will show a serious loss. This scarcity of fuel was expected at the few plants using anthraclte coal, but has conic as a shock to the coke furnaces, for the Connellsvilh? ovens have steadily maintained a weekly production of 250,000 tons. Inadequate railway facilities are responsible aud the situation is critical. As the stocks of pig iron were very low fit the opening of August, consumers arc in an embarrassing position, and there is a growing disposition to refuse contracts. Imports are increasing, and numerous plans are reported whereby the finished product may be exported in order to secure the tariff drawback. These operations promise no relief to domestic consumers, and the railways are especially anxious for supplies. The dry goods jobbing trade reports a liberal distribution and supplies are only moderate in the primary market. Changed conditions in the raw material have accelerated inquiries for cotton goods, buyers seeking figures on forward contracts and placing a fair amount of ordets. There is also a better demand to meet immediate requirements, aud exporters to China are again in the market for brown cottons. Slightly less activity is seen in men's wear woolen and worsted fabrics, but fancy worsteds are in hotter request. At last footwear makers have been .-hie to secure a moderate advance in prices in response to the recent sharp rise in materials. Jobbers are no longer disposes to wait, but place orders freely. Retailers are also pressing jobbers for immediate deliveries of goo . for current trade. Leather is strong and active, while hides made higher record prices, but the market has quieted down. Deterioration from the exceptionally brilliant early outlook for cotton gave speculators an opportunity to advance options nearly $5 a bale, and dealings were heavy. Spot cotton was less sharply advanced, although a firm tone developed. Failures for the week numbered 173 in the United Stares, against 202 last year, ar.d 14 in Canada, against 21 a year a SO. Bradstreet’s says: Wheat (including floor) exports week ending Aug. 28 aggregate 5,4315.530 bushels, against 5,954,759 last week and 6,607,611 in this vfreek last year. Wheat exports since July 1 aggregate 38,381,297 bushels, against 57,286,598 last season. Corn exports aggregate 115,150 bushels, against 51,649 last week and 441,918 last year. For the fiscal year corn exports ; arc 818,(543 bushels, against 10,192,969 last season.