Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-05
BRADSIREEI'S REPORT.
A Smaller Demand and LcveIIing Of Prices
Caused by the Labor Troubles.

New York. May 4-Bradstreets, to-
morrow, will say: A further subsi-
dcnCc of demand and of the level of
prices is noted in several lines, this
week. this process being. no doubt.
aided by the unscttling effect of the
rather more than usually disturbed
conditions in labor circles. TIL" net
result is something approaching dull
ness in many channels of distribution,
increased conservatism in the making
of ventures and disposition tn digest
business alro ady arranged for before
making new engagements. That the
basic conditions of general business.
such as the outlook for the crops, the
export demand and the Increased pur-
chasing power of the people at large,
have not been much reduced, but. on
the contrary, actually improved. seems
evident from the adViccs received, this
week business ut wholesale is rell-
lively Quieter but mere than ordinarily
mark Il attention is being concentrated
upon the retail demand. improved
weather conditions at the East tend to
favor an enlarged retail distribution.
Decreases far outnumbcr increases in
staple values. this week.
Good crop prospects and weakness
in provisions have exercised 4 depres-
sing effect upon corn ana To a less cX-
tent upln wheat.
The weakness Of print cloths is con-
fined as vet to outside manufacturers
quotations. the pool price being I'M
changed. No effect from this source
or from the dullness at wholesale in
cotton goods is yet reflected in the
market for the raw material which
remains strong. The shoe and leather
trade at the East is notably quiet.
Restricted supplies of raw sugar has
induced Il slight marking up of quo
tatioas, this week. but no change of
refined prices is reported.
No diminution Of strength of pig iron
is reported at such centers az Birlning-
ham and Pittsburg. Some cutting of
pig iron prices is reported at the West.
In finished material less confidence is
EXPRESSED.
Tho first week in May was moro than
ordinarily prolific in strikes. most of
which. however, We're confined to the
building trades. and reports to Brad
streets would indicate that. including
those idle as Il result-of the great Chi
caEO building trades ti"up, the num-
Der Of men on strike. during the week,
was little below 10000. Many of these
appear to have gained their point and
returned to work, but the unsettling
effect upon the market for building
material is exhibited in the weakness
If yellow pine ana other kinds Of lum-
bCr.
l. .11.p i1rrc q Dr1llt
10 por cent smaller than pear ago.
business failures in April We're Il
Per cont smaller than in March. and
~ par cent. smaller than in April. q
year ago. For the week, failures num-
Der 153. as compared with 164, in this
week n year ago.
Wheat. including flour shipments fnr
the week. aggregate 4537 ,o22 bushels,
against 3.4840S1 bushels in the CORE
So ndnC week of 1899.
Corn exports. for the week, aggregate
2.4l1 OILS bushels. against 2.S+1,290 bush
els in this week. year ago.
Toronto reports improved trade at
interior points and large shipments in
anticipation of the opening of naviSa-
ton. Failures are few. Increased ac-
tiVity in lumber has resulted from thc
destruction Of stock at Ottawa. Mon
treal reports that a serious unsettle-
I mcnt Of the cargo business from that
port is likely as Il result. Failures are
! few and unimportant. In the mari
time provinces a fair trade is reported
while in British Columbia business is
! Oui, and collections are rather slow
! Coal exports are heavy. Business fail
h.
q pared with % in this week. a year ago
! Failures for April were fewer than ii
! April. n year ago.