Salt Lake Tribune | 1904-05-14 | Page 13 | General Trade is Picking up in West

GENERAL TRADE IS PICKING UP IN WEST NEW YORK, May 13. Special dispatches dis-patches to tho International Mercantile agency Indicate that general trade la picking up throughout the West and South. Eastern business has also been stimulated except ln tho New England States, where depression incident to the rather general shutting down of cotton mills ia having marked effect. Most of tho improvement Is ascribed to more seasonable weather and general belief that underlying conditions are sound with prospects of good fall orders. Territory adjacent to Omaha shows strong Jobbing trade- with good restocking restock-ing orders and excellent demund for spring goods. Although mindful of tho possible setbacka of a Presidential year, merohnnt9 are buying with confidence, wholesalers reporting a normal gain compared with last season. Farmers are generally encouraged at the outlook. Receipts of lumber at St. Louis have been large and railroads at that center report Improved business during the week. Distribution of merchandise in and about Chicago shows decided Improvement. Improve-ment. Recovery Is specially noted ln wearing apparel and furnishing goods, although the total volume- for the season sea-son Is scarcely up to the 1903 record. In the city of Chicago trade has been somewhat some-what "disturbed by politics, and local merchants are displaying great caution. Labor 1b much more Bottled than a year ago. The tie-up ln lnke traffic hns had as yet but slight Influence. Building is active at Chicago, April statistics showing show-ing that plans have been taken out for 704 new buildings, costing 51,287,250. This represents a gain over one year ago of 160 buildings. Outlook ln the Iron industry is still modified by the attitude of the railroads which will not buy under present conditions. condi-tions. One Western eystom Is said to have held buck an order for 10,000 cars until after election. Pittsburg reports nothing encouraging In the demand for structural material and plates. Seasonable Season-able hardware Is, however, ln active demand. de-mand. The situation Is much complicated compli-cated by the disruption of the ore pool and tho generally unsatisfactory tone of tho market.