The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-03
BRADsTREETs ON THE WEEK
A Marked and Healthy improvement
i'm the Iron Trade


I'm the Iron Trade.
| NEW YORK, Nov. 2.-Bradstreet's re-
view tomorrow will say:
"Unseasonably warm weather continues
| the leading directly unfavorable feature
Of distributive trade. because OF the
check given to retail distribution, in most
lines Of dry goods. wearing apparel, and
shoes.
Conservatism, In view Of the near ap-
proach OF the Presidential election, is I'M
doubtediy an element exercising consid-
cradle influence, particularly in stock
speculation. But a conspicuous exception
to this is found in the reawakening of de-
mand and the advances in prices shown in
the iron trade in widely separated sec
tons This is really one of the most i'm
portant developments of the week and is
taken as indicating that consumers
stocks are down to minimum.
Ciearings statistics are encouraging,
those for October particularly so, al
though quieting stock speculation has APP
parently limited the weeks total FAIL
ures naturally show expansion over the
same period year ago. but are much
more favorable than in preceding years.
Following the ending Of the anthracite
coal strike has come the announcement Of
an advance in wholesale prices of from
20 10 % cents per ton. and the impress
sion is that retail rates are not likely to
show any marked reduction very soon.
Speculation on the various exchanges
has ruled rather slow. In wheat the NOV
Ing feature has been the reiteration of
stories OF Argentine crop damage. which
was instrumental in inducing some ad-
nf ub
cotton fear Of frost damage has been
the moving factor. and here, also. some
advance has been scored from the low
point reached last week
"A distinct and marked improvement in
the demand for both crude and finished
iron and steel is noted From Chicago.
Pittsburg, Birmingham, and PHILADELPHIA
come combinations of the better enquiry
for pig iron at a slight advance. except
in the case Of the Southern product Al
though the export demand for iron and
steel has quoted of late. that for cotton
is apparently undiminished. and this week
witnesses the heaviest single days ex-
ports from New Orleans ever recorded
Nine months trade returns show gain
In manufactured goods exported of % per
cent over year ago. while the increase
in agricultural products was only a.5 per
cent. the latter increase being entirely
que 10 higher prices OF cotton as Corr
pared with last year The outlook is for
an aggregate export of manufactured
goods this year Of at least s4iO, coo, 900, a
total never heretofore approached.
There were SIC failures reported for the
month just closed. an increase of ga per
cent over last October, but decrease OF
per cent from 1898, of 10 per cent from
1897. and Of 90 per cent from 1896. The
liabilities of the failing traders aggre-
gated s9,017, 205 in October a gain of 30
Der cent over October. 1899. but &C.
,rease Of 80 per cent from 1898. of IA per
,ent from 1851, and of A per cent from
1886. Clearings for the week aggregate
4 ,6i3. AS, 042, a decrease of 80 per cent
rom last week, and of 10 per cent from
his week year ago, but a gain of IA
Ter cent over 1898.
Failures for the week number 1853
gainst ISL last week. IA in this week a
ear ago, 1873 in 1898, and 223 each in 1897
nd 1885,