Evening journal., 1901-05-25
ONE WEEK OF TRADE


"nhe labor situation is the cloud
lowering over the business world, by
the difficulties are not sufficiently
widespread at present to seriously in
terfere with the progress of manufac-
ture and distribution. Some settle
ments of strikes have been effected dur
ing the week, and others seem prob
able at an early date Meanwhile.
prices hold firm, the capacity Of pro-
ducing plants In the leading Industries
is well employed and crop advices are
satisfactory Although slightly small
er than in the two preceding phenome-
nal weeks, shipments of boots and
shoes from the East were more than
100000 cases, and far in excess of the
same week in earlier years. Leather
has been strong, and betting butts are
scarce. Cheaper grades OF upper
leather are less active, owing to the
better demand for glazed kid and calf
skin. Textile fabrics still exhibit the
least animation, and conditions at Fall
River cotton mills are far from en-
ccuraging, further reduction in time
and possibly in wages being under dis
cussion. WoOlen mills exhibit a little
more activity, and buy raw materials.
Correspondents report the Winter
wheau outlook steadily improving, and
there is every reason to anticipate an
abundant harvest Atlantic exports
have been large for the past week, in
cluding flour, amounting to 1862, Alb
bushels, against 2,173,356 in the same
week last year and 1,646,624 in 1899
Speculation in May corn has quieted
down, but Me general level of this
cereal continues far above normal
prices, and more liberal receipts have
been attracted to interior cities. For
the week S,667,O bushels we're re-
ceived. against 1,694,7s6 last year. On
the ether hand. foreign buying is re-
stricted. Atlantic exports being only
| l6S6,S99 bushels, against 3,534,673 a
lyear ago. Comparative quiet prevails
as to cotton. Receipts continue liberal.
spinners are buying little, and there is
a steady Improvement in reports Of the
current crops condition"
Bradstreet's to-day says:
THE general situation is still large
ly favorable one. the primary encour-
aging feature being the fine outlook
for the country's crops. General dis
tribution, retarded hitherto by the
backward Spring. has been stimulated
by warm, sunny weather. Industrial
conditions head the list Of distributing
features, but confidence in conserva-
tive 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 minimized. Reports as tc
qniot trade in iron and steel come from
the East, where demand for pig iron
is Of hand to mouth character. Nc
special activity is looked for. however
In this branch because large consumers
are well supplied. Good reports come
from the Western hardware trade, the
demand in building lines and for
barbed wire fencing being especially
active, with prices we'll held. The fea
ture OF the week in textiles is a per.
ceptible improvement in the tone o
most cotton goods, which are in rathei
, better demand at large Eastern mar
kets. This, OF course, does not appl,
10 the print cloths situations, which Il
one Of excessive stocks, curtailed pro
duction and of goods selling beloy
4 cost in many instances. Export shin
ments OF cotton goods are heavy. al
Though new business is lighter. Ra,
cotton is a fraction higher on tn
week, but outside interest is still small
and the fear Of corner in July deter
s operations in that and other old Gro
e months. There is more doing in ne,
. wool at all markets, and manufaS
Is turers are more hopeful, although ne,
l. demand for goods is still disappontin,
& Especially good advices come froI
wholesalers aud iobbers in silks. an
's the raw silk market tends higher o
N better demand. Failures for the wee
ae number 1872, against 1872 last week, II
G In this week a year ago. 15S in 1S9
I'd 23l in 1898 and PSI in 1897. Canada
m failures number "a, against "a la.
week, II in this week a year ago. % j
lie 1899, is in 1898 and 20 in 1897.