The age-herald., 1900-04-21
BRADSTREET'S
 TRADE REVIEW IrreguIarity in Trade and Price
 Situation. IN CASE OF IRON AND SIEEL Partly Due to Missionary of Late Efforts in the Direction of Lower Prices Trade Conditions as
 Whole Favor able
IN CASE OF IRON AND SIEEL

New York, April 20.-Bradstreet's tomor- row will say: More, rather than less, ir- regularity in the trade and price situation is to be noted this week as partly the re- suit of weather conditions, but partly as in the case of iron and steel trade, because of the continuance of those missionary ef- forts in the direction of lower prices which have been such a feature of the iron and steel trade of late. That the basic condi- tions of trade remain on the whole favor able, is, however, evidenced by number of futures. Railroad earnings continue heavy, and the decrease noted in bank clearings is chargeable largely to religious and other holiday observances and to re- stricted stock speculation. Heavy rains and cool weather early in the week had q depressing effect on trade and collections.
 The bear campaign in iron and steel took on new phase this week, when a num- Der of wire mills were shut down as al- legged because of an oversupply of these goods The announcement has had an un- settling effect on demand, and new do- mestic business is interfered with. The strength of the export demand noted in these columns, however, is still a feature and We have the best of reasons for be- quantity ern Iron, Varlously estimated at 200G0 to 30,0O0 tons, was sold this week, and will go abroad at nearly or about full prices. Price changes are mostly along lines here tofore noted, though some symDathetic weakening of pig iron is reported Wire prices apparently are unchanged. Steel bil- lets are weak at the decline reported last week, and bar steel and plates are likewise lower. The other metals have shown A re- actonary tone this week, and anthracite coal remains seasonably weak but the at tack Of 1npendent labor troubles has har- oened bituminous at most markets
 It has been a weather market for the cereals and most agricultural products. these advancing early this week, but weakening toward the close. The strength or pork products and the small movement mas stimulated corn and there is less weakness in this than in the other cereals stormy weather and flooded water courses at the south have checked or retarded cot ton planting, but this feature and the sta tistical strength of the market has not been sufficient to produce any outside bull movement, while the quetness in dry goods and the weakness noted in cotton yarns have been additionally discourag- ing features.
 Wool is weak, and there is rather more inquiry and now, as one year ago, relative ly higher prices rule at points of produc- ton. Backward weather condition have affected the lumber trade demand but in this as in number of other lines the ad- vanced prices demanded are credited with checking business. The pressure of heavy supplies is responsible for the slight weak ness shown in the price of raw sugar this week. while the refined market remains unchanged.
 Weather influences are again reflected in the market for dairy products, which was weakened under large receipts. Wheat, including four shipments for the week aggregate 3,S9S 451 bushels, against 2,932,- 959 bushels in the corresponding week of 1899. Since July 1 the exports of wheat aggregate 157, ,S04,547 bushels, against 199,- 262 119 bushels last year. Corn exports for the week aggregate 3.15S,77 bushels, against 3091, $40 bushels in this week year ago. Since July 1 corn exports aggregate 166 OS1 396 bushels, against 137, ,047 TAI bushels during the same period a year ago.
 Business failures in the United States for the week were 161, as compared with 152 last week and 1S7 in this week year ago.