The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-25
WEEKLY TRADE REVIEW
ENCOURAGEMENT FOUND IN
 CROP OUTLOOK.
Industrial Conditions Head List of Disturbing Feature, But Con- ddence in Conservatism is
 Widespread.

New York, May 24.--Bradstreet's to- morrow will say:
 The general situation is stili largely . favorable one, the primary encour- aging feature being the fine outlook for the country's crop. General distribu- tion. retarded hitherto by the backward spring, has been stimulated by warm, sunny weather. Industrial conditions head the list of disturbing features but confidence in conservatism and good counsel is widespread and the effect upon general business exerted by the largest number of men idle for several years past has been apparently mini- mixed.
 Reports as to quiet trade in iron and steel come from the East, where de- mand for pig iron is of a hand to- mouth character. No special activity is looked for, however. in this branch, because large consumers are well sup piled. Indeed. Pittsburg furnaces are booked well into July. The demand for finished products is as heavy as ever, structural material. bars and plates being in especially good demand with premiums paid for quick delivery and large new business not accepted because of the inability of manufactur- CTS to promise immediate shipments The only accumulation noted in pig iron is in the lower foundry grades and this Is especially notable as re- gards the Southern product. Good re- ports come from the Western hardware trade, the demand in building lines and for barbed wire fencing being especially active, with prices we'll held Anthra- cite coal notes much strength and de- mand is good. lower prices in the fu- ture being apparently out of the ques- tion. The Southern coal trade is quieter.
 The boot and shoe and allied trades note considerable activity in manufac- turing lines. Eastern shoe shipments have again exceeded the 100000 case mark and the total for the season is now nearly 50.000 cases ahead of last year. Leather finds ready purchasers among manufacturers East and West and stocks do not accumulate. Sole leather prices are at full quotations, which show substantial advance over some time ago, while upper leather is firm. Hides are steady at the West. but easier in Eastern markets.
 Such unanimity as to good crop re- ports has rarely been seen at this pe- riod of the year. Much was made in speculative grain circles of dry weather at the Northwest but recent rains have placed that section in a very fa- vorable condition as regards the spring wheat From the winter wheat belt re- ports continue very optimistic, espe- cial1y favorable advices being received from Kansas. which promises a yield of 100000 900 bushels. and the only anx- iety expressed Is for a. sufficient sup ply of labor to harvest the enormous crop. Recent rains, while retarding retail trade. have helped the corn and cotton crops.
 The feature of the week in textiles Is a perceptible improvement in the tone of most cotton goods, which are in rather better demand at large Eastern markets. This. of course, does not ap- ply to the print cloths situation, which Is one of excessive stocks, curtailed production and of goods selling below cost in many instances.
 Export shipments of cotton goods are heavy. although new business is ligh- ter. Raw cotton is a fraction higher on the week, but outsideA interest is still small and the fear of corner in July deters operations in that and oth- CT old crop months. There is more do- ing in new wool at all markets and manufacturers remain hopeful, al- though new demand for goods is still disappointing
 Especially good advices come from wholesalers and jobbers in silks and the raw silk market tends higher on better demand.
 Wheat Uncluding four) shipments for the week aggregate 4,796,0S4 bushels, against 3,9S4. .9s8 bushels in the corre- spending week of 1900, 3.19S,319 in 1899, and 4.309,133 bushels in 1898.
 From July 1 to date. this season, wheat exports are 19004s, ,622 bushels. against IFS. .3a3 ,5s6 bushels last season, and 209, ,S93, ,175 bushels in 1S9S-99.
 Corn exports for the week aggregate 2,204, ,902 bushels, against 2,704,594 bush els last week. 4.374,145 bushels in this week a year ago. 3.S45.S1S bushels in 1899, and 6,164,451 in 1898.
 From July to date this season, corn exports are 163,574,7S3 bushels, against 1855, ,653, 1854 bushels last season and 161 S79. .033 bushels in 1S9S-99.
 Failnres for the week number 192 against 192 last week. 167 in this week a year ago, 15s in 1899, 231 in 1898 and 257 in 1897.
 Canadian failures number "A, against 24 last week. II in this week a year ago. g in 1s99.. IS in 1898. and 20 ir 1897.