The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-08
DISTRIBUTIVE
TRADE IS QUIET.
Backward Spring and Poor Crop Re-
ports Having Effect.
IRON AND STEEL ALSO QUIETER.
Although This Seems to BE from a
Lack OF Supplies Rather Than
Short Demand-The Business
Failures Tie Last Year.
IRON AND STEEL ALSO QUIETER.

NEW YORK, April 7.-Bradstreets Of
tomorrow will say:
The uuieter tone OF distributive trade
is even more marked this week than last,
testifying to the unfavorable effect upon
retail trade and indirectly upon jobbing
distribution OF the cold, backward spring
and less favorable wheat crop advices
While reports as 10 the damage or winter
wheat are more numerous from the south
west. the influence of the backward sea-
son. frost in the ground and other UNI
favorable conditions have tended 10 mod
crate the hitherto very cheerful tones Of
adivces from the spring wheat States
Other features OF the week are fur-
Their queting down of the excitement IN
iron and steel. although here lack of sup
plies and not lack of consumptive demand
is assigned as the chief reason.
STRIKES IN IRON.
A strike OF iron ore miners in the Lake
Superior district seems likely TO compli-
cate the ore supply question. Strikes IN
volving 10000 men have been feature
of the weeks operations.
Lumber is feeling the influence of ex-
panding spring demand at many markets
and prices are very strong.
-, situation I'm textiles is little changed.
CoUon Is slightly lower on fuller crop
movement. but manufactured goods are
firm. though some speculative iots OF
gray cottons have been offered AT con-
cesslons. Wool and woollens are rather
quiet. though fall orders for women
wear goods are encouraging ana the ra"
product is steady. the view being that the
proposed goods combinations nave not
gotten very large supplies OF WOOL
PRICE SITUATION.
The situation as regards prices Is still
a very favorable one. the list OF staples
advancing or remaining steady, being
by far the most numerous, while bahk
clearngs, statistics. railroad earnings,
and all other obtainable measures OF
trade point to an immense business, specu-
lative and otherwise having been done
during the first quarter OF 1899.
throughout the West and Northwest
with few exceptions. complaint is made
OF unreasonable cold weather affecting
distribution, particularly at retail. Ac-
conspanying these reports. however. are
numerous statements that the business
done during the first quarter is consid-
erablv in davance OF that handled a year
ago. Complaints OF bad weather ana
roads come from the South. Texas trade
and agricultural operations being I'M
favoraby affected, and New Orleans re-
ports that spring trade is likely to be dis
appointing for a like reason.
GRAIN EXPORTS.
Wheat including -four. shipments. for
the week aggregate 3.SSi.s0O bushels.
against 39ss. 23S bushels last week. BIS
72s bushels i'm the corresponding week Of
1895 2O36.7 g7 bushels in 1897: l.l64SS
bushels In 1895. and 2,93i,179 bushels IN
1895
Since July lst. this season. exports OF
wheat aggregate 1SS .3i5.600 bushels,
against 1S3. sis27s bushels last year.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
3.72ls54 bushels against 2.4ll.i45 bushels
last week. 3.557.0o0 bushels In this w"ek
n wear ago. 4645.5S5 bushels IN Ing,
POI SAC bushels in 1896. and Sli.l30 bushels
IN 1905. Since July lst this season corn
exports aggregate 1872 2S9.619 bushels'
against l3a COS Gas bushels during the same
period n year ago. 80
business failures for the week. 100 ex-
actlv the same number as last week OUT
connared with 200 i'm this week year
ago. 292 in 1897: 23l In 1896 and 20 III $50.
business failures for the week IT
tho Dominion OF Canada number only r.
as against 30 last week. 80 in TINS week
n year ago. 30 in 1897, 90 in 1896 and % III
1Sq5