Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-06-13
The BusIness Situation.


Bradstreets says Saturday: sDespite
some Irregularities, due to special con
ditions. the general trade situation
shows an improvement, owing to better
weather and crop conditions in most
sections of the country. In the East
the first real week of warm, sunny
weather has been reflected in az i'm
proved retail demand for seasonable
fabrics and wearing apparel, this, in
turn, inducing more activity in johbing
lines OF dry goods, shoeH and other
products. The same is true of the
Northwest, where needed rains have
quieted apprehensionH as to the spripg
wheat outlook. A measurable i'm.
provement in crop conditions at tie
South, where. however, the cotton crop
Is still two weeks late, has vet to be
reflected in most Southern trade ad.
vices. Pacific coast crop and trade ad
vices are also better, but the reports Of
impaired wheat and corn crop condi-
tions IN the Southwest and the quieter
trade there, where activity has beun
heretofore great. relieves the general
trade report OF the reproach OF
monotony. There is rather better
tone In textile, due partly to an i'm
proved distribution in summer dry
6eeApt oha aA,C W ppbboT ItoTQ6fS lOr
wooden goods for fall delivery. Cotton
ia speculatively higher, despite rather
better crop reports, because of the
tendency to shade estimates OF thu In I
crease in acreage this year x fair.
trade is doing in new wool, induced by
necessary buying of manufacturers, but
no additional strength is noted as to
prices, high grade woods being best
held, while medium and coarse grades
still favor buyers. Iron and steel are
quiet in all lines as regards new bust
ness, buy pig iron is 25 cents ton
weaker. Consumption, however, pro-
ceeds ut an undim inished rate. The
iron ore supply is in very strong hands,
a nd the movement, owing to the late
opening of navigation, is behind that
of a year ago. Better weather has
helped the distribution of shoes, and
Eastern shipments for the week are
90, 600 cases ahead of last year and
80, 600 cases ahead Tor the season.
Stocks OF upper leather at the West are
curtailed by current strong
inquiry. Export business is also better
than of late, and shipments are ahead
Of last year. Failures IN the United
States for the week number 1853, against
LA last week, 1874 In this week a year
ago. i78 in 1889, 22l in 1898 and 256 in
1897. Failures in Canada in May num-
Der 103, with liabilities OF $500, 600, an
Increase in number, but decrease in
liabilities OF per cent. ~
X. G. Dun & Co. q Review says:
Efforts tic secure advances in grain by
reports of damage to the
growing crops have given place to more
'ational statements, and the outlook is
conceded to be full Of
from SO. Abundant production In the
United States does not necessarily
mean weak prices, for European crops
ire falling below expectations and
oreign purchases continue heavy At
antic exports for the week. flour in
luded, amounted to 4,520, 144 bushels,
gainst 1855, 261 last year, and
=, 849, 373 two years ago. Paoific exports
lso show good gains, reaohing S54, 5I5
ushels, against SOL, Ol5 year ago and
20, 400 in 1899 Including exports at
UPWARD movement for the week, ex-
lusive OF Canadian ports, was g, 646, 597
ushels, against B. S3S, 1854 last year and
,748, 467 In the same week OF 1899.
hipments of boots and shoes from
oston continue very large, for the last
eek exceeding the game week of 1900
y 10000 cases, and since the year
pened forwardings have been over two
Iillion cases, far surprising any ere
ious record. Although the movement
still heavy, shops receive few orders
40 It will be some weeks before active
ork begins on fall contracts. Retailers
% offering black goods for summer
ear at reduced prices, and it is evil
snt that the production of these shoes
as excessive, while tan shoes have
sen in much creator demand AMI
anufacturers are pushed to fill con-
acts. Prices are steady and iobbers
port that the better quslities are
ught. Railroad eafnings for May,
6 per cent in excess of 1900 and 233
" cent over 1893. reflect continued
,tivity in the country, while at New
ork bank clearings gain for the week
IS per cent over 1900 and 80. per
mt over 1899, with gains at the lead
z cities outside New York Of I'll Ger
mt over 1900 sud 27.5 per cent over
3d."