The age-herald., 1901-09-28
WEEKLY REVIEW
 OF GENERAL TRADE Normal Conditions Have Been Fully Restored, Says Dun STEEL INDUSTRY IMPROVED Record Breaking Output of Steel Rails Is Practically Assured for 1901.
 Great Activity In the
 Pig Iron Market.
STEEL INDUSTRY IMPROVED

New York, September FIR. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 Normal conditions have been fully re- stored in the distribution of merchandise, the placing of delayed orders stimulating the few lines that appeared to halt One of the most gratifying features of the business situation is the pronounced ref erence for the better grade of goods, clearly indicating the improved financial condition of consumers Resumption of work has progressed rapidly In the steel industry since the settlement of the labor controversy and there is little discord between employer and employed in other lines. Stability of prices, without intia- tion is the rule except where the usual size of crops introduces a special factor.
 Steel production is now progressing at nearly the average rate. There are in- terruptions and delays through inability to secure special lines of material and higher prices are quoted for both steel and iron bars. steel billets and some other shapes. In pig iron there was the greatest activity since the strike began, most brands reaching higher prices. Sales of 5000 tons Bessemer at Valley furnaces were reported, equal to $16 de- livered at Pittsburg. Other large orders were under negotiations and producers look for a rising market Higher prices for billets were partially nominal, owing to the improbability of securing deliver ies, but a free movement is anticipated shortly.
 Record Breaking Output.
 A record breaking output of steel rails is practically assured for 1901 and the new year will open with an unparalleled volume of business on the books. Plates and structural material are very strong.
 The market for foot wear Is still on strong basis.
 In a few grades prices are higher while in other departments small lots are sold at better figures but not sufficient busi- ness is recorded to warrant change in list prices
 Leather and hides still reflect the heavy demand for finished products and exports of leather are also sustaining feature. Textile lines were we'll engaged as a rule, much better news being received from cotton spinners at the North. and South
 
 night work.
 Wool Is quiet but firm. Investigation of the cotton situation throughout the entire belt reveals an extremely uncertain state of affairs. At many points the crop Is be- yond danger so far as frost is concerned, while on some plantations this Is the only factor that can prevent an increase over the previous year. There Is no doubt re- garding the extensive losses sustained in Texas, but the tenor of reports from At lantic States promises to more t.ian m ake up the deficiency if weather conditions are favorable during the next few weeks. Heavy rains have recently done a serious damage, tending to reduce expectations of eleven million bales that ha0 prevailed for a time. There does not appear to be any concerted e4fort to hold back the crop and light port receipts must be at- tributed to the lateness of the staple.
 Corn Is Steady.
 Steadiness in quotations corn at the present high level is all that producers could desire. A heavier movemen. Is ex- pected owing to lower buying for foreign account. secured through low rates for transportation. neat is well sustained and still better prices are promised by the heavy export movement which, from all United States ports for the week reached 5,26S, 4l3 bushels, flour included, against 3.55 Io- last year and 4605. 362 bushels in 1899. Western receipts S,292 456 bushels, exceed even the liberal ship ments of 1900 of 6s54,777 bushels.
 Failures for the week numbered 227 in the United States, against 204 last year, and 31 in Canaua, against IS last year.