Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-18
The Rusiness situation.

r. q. Dun e. Co. s. Review SAYS:
The tone of general business has been
better this week. Marked activity in
the distribution of merchandise is re-
tiected in the gains of 45.9 per cent
in bank clearlngs at New York, com
pared with 1900, and 20.S per cent over
1899, with gains of 1875 and 1913 for
the same periods at leading cities out
side New York. Even the textile mar
kets shuw pronounced gain. Activity
in the metals division has taken pig
iron production to near record figures,
and some dealers do not sec how pro.
duction of partly finished forms this
year is to be made to meet the demands.
Railroad earnings in March were
IA per cent larger than last year, and
j. per cent over 1899. according to
practically complete returns.
Speculation has been unuoually
heavy in food stuifs, the loual market
averaging over 100000 bushels of
wneat daily. Prices reoeded sharply
from the top point of two weeks ago,
wheat losing about cents for spot.
Large producers of footwear in New
England are still dong good bust
ness, with sufficient orders to insure
fun time at the shops for month or
more. Expected concessions in prices
by smaller makers have commenced,
moderately large contracts for split,
Kid and grain boots being secured at
"a cents reduction
In the face of recent reductions in
prices OF rubber goods, the raw ma
terial has advanced to sc cents.
Textile fabrics at 10 better position,
| although imIroven ont is slight and
confined TO few special lines"
Bradstreet's Gays: Cotton and trade
advices alike continue favorable, The
seat OF greatest strength is in the iron
and steel trade, willis the textiles
eyince the most Irregularity. Retail
trade has been helped by better weather
in most sections and, whilo spring joh
bling is smalle- at several markets, i'm.
proved retail trade conditions are sx.
pected to help recorder business.
| The low price of Gotten is still a
deterrent to trade at the South, and
talk of restriction of the Anticipated
increase in acreage is heard. Planting
IS, however, being actively pushed and
retail trade lis for this reason still
guieter. Northwestern trade advices
are quite cheerful and large numbers
of buyers are 10 the lowns.
= At the East trade is better at re-
tail, while wholesale lines are quiet,
Cotton goods note some slight improve.
ment in tone and IL is hoped that the
bottom has been reached at the prevail
ing concession in prices Wool IS quiet,
and some weakness in washed wool is
noted Cotton is J 30. lower again on
large movement, which is expected 10
heavily exceed last year. Iron and
steel are aggressively strong.
Wheat, including flour shipmepts
for the week, aggregate 6. los, COL
bushels, against 4,64B, COB last week,
From July LIST to date this season
wheat export are 162, 227, O29 bushes,
against 1853, 919, $50 last season. Corn OK
ports for the week aggregate 2,623. 2S4
bushels, against 1880, 54l last week,
From July LIST to date this season corn
exports are i5l, 1862, 5s7 bushels, against
1853, OLE, $40 last season.
Failures for the week 10 the United
States number 225, against 1888 last
week, l52 in this week q year ago, 243
in 1899. 2l5 in 1898 and l95 in 1897,
Canadian failures number %, against
~ last week, 35 in this week a year
400 . In 1899, 81 in 1898 aud 80 10
4 ANVIL