The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-06
DUN'C WEEKLY
REVIEW OF TRADE
Failures in April Were eompar-
atlvely Small.
NEW BUSINESS CHECKED
In Some Cases By High Prices-Nearly
All Iron Works Are Crowded
For Months Ahead With
Rush of Orders
| NEW BUSINESS CHECKED

New York, May 4.-R. @. Dun & Co., in
their weekly review of trade tomorrow will
say: The failures in April were the small
est in any month since records by months,
being IS per cent smaller than April last
year, not third of the amount in 1897 and
not half the amount of April of any pre-
vious year. Both in manufacturing and
trading they were the smallest ever known
in that month and trading the smallest
ever known in any month. The ratio of
defaulted liabilities to solvent payments
through clearing houses was less than 70
cents per LOCO against 90 cents in January
and $1.19 in March, s7.s9 in August and $500
in September 1896. A great share of the
risk in the business world has been climb
mated. 1t is not inconsistent nor strange
if business halts because it has been
crowded to the utmost in anticipating fu-
ture needs.
In some cases prices have been advanced
SO far as to check new business At Buff
falo, Idaho, strikes are causing trouble. but
labor questions elsewhere do not affect good
business.
The grain has fallen off 2464 Jas bushels,
having been received at the west during
the week against 4.765519 last year and of
corn only 2,67241 have been exported
against 4,545,749 last year, while wheat ex-
ports from both coasts have been better,
9,545,757 bushels, flour included, against
2,654,237 last year.
Nearly all iron works are crowded for
months ahead, but a good many are catch
ing up with their orders which have re-
Gently diminished.
The report that all the great companies
are to be melted into one, causes the stock
to be bullish.
Pig is nowhere higher, nor has any class
of finished products advanced, though in
many cases the demand exceeds the sup
ply. London speculation made a higher
price for tin at $25.s5 cents, although At
lantic receipts in April were 1850 tons.
Copper is stronger at $1925 for Lake, al
though European stocks are rising
Shipments of boots and shoes from the
east in five weeks have been but l4S per
cent. larger than last year, IA per cent
larger than in the next largest year, 1895,
and A per cent. larger than in 1892. Forces
are busy with orders for months at old
prices and 21s cents advance is paid on new
orders for several grades. But the only
change in leather is small advance in
Union sole, and hides are half of one per
cent. stronger at Chicago
Wool sales for the week have been large,
S,S59S53 pounds, owing to sales of over
MILAN pounds Australian in bond for ex-
port and heavy speculative purchases of
territory. The wool year ends with heavy
stocks on hand and prices about 10 per
cent lower than last year, British prices
averaging about II per cent. higher. Sales
of domestic woods In four months have
been 1888, 735 pounds more than in any
year excepting in 1897, when spectators
were taking in the heavy stocks which
some of them have recently been selling
81 ,725,503 pounds for the year. against 3d.
1884, 1854 in that year. The market is lit
tie stronger The worsted combination
has gone into operation, but without in
reference with deliveries. The cotton
goods market is more steady. 1t is quite
encouraging and active and in some staples
further advanced.
Failures for the week have been 11S in
the United States, against 23S last year,
and % In Canada against 25 last year.