The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-18
FEAR o. LABOR TROUBLE.
Is THE ONLY CLOUD THAT On.
sCuREs THE FINANCIAL AND
COMMERCIAL Sky
CROP PROSPECTS ARE GOOD
Steel Men Have Three Months Bust
ness Ahead-Leather Trade Is
ProsperOus-POOres Re-
port From Textiles.

NEW YORK, May I7.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Aside from quite perceptible Increase
OF the spirit of unrest In labor circles
there are few new cha nges to record in
the general trade or Industrial situation
BUSINESS at present the country over is
! OF seasonable character with whole
salers in dry goods clothing and similar
llnes, but the volume of business Is fan
Tor the season and collections are report
ed likewise. The basic facts underlying
the situation continue largely of a favor
able character. Notable in this reA,pect
is the crop situation, particularly for the
cereals, which is in high degree promis-
ing. The backward spring and lack of
rains In some sections has initiated
against the growth or cotton but i'm
proVement is noted even in this re-
| spect
the industrials are active. Iron and
steel are strong, but qaiet as regards
new demand for the cruder forms, but the
nnished products have been heavily o.
dered and the mills have sufficient busi-
ness to keep them busy from one to thre
months, while a large additional bust
ness is reported in sight. The demand
OF the machinists is regarded as a posi-
bly disturbing feature, but it is claimed
That one-fourth OF the men involved
nave already succeeded in their de-
mands and the feeling is that this mat
ter will be adjusted with less than earlier
expected friction.
The hardware trades are reported ex
ceptionably active and some varieties Of
goods, notably barb wire, are scarce.
Forelgn trade continues largely to ia
vor this country and the demand for
wheat to replace possible smaller yields
III European countries has swelIed the
volume of export trade which might
hay fal
year ago because of smaller shipments Of
cotton and of manufactured goods. De-
! spite the talk of rate cutting and of ex-
peCtauonS OF a smaller movement of
goods as the spring advances railway
earnings continue exceptionally favora-
! bic, some great systems reporting maxi
, mum weekly earnings. Net returns also
are of good volume and show that bust
ness is being done at a decided pro t.
Probably the best re- o. Is as to new de-
inand come from leather and allied trades
while the poorest, as heretofore are re-
ceived from the textile industries
Prices evince considerable steadiness
despite slightly lower quotations for
cotton, corn, cheese and petroleum. but
some hog products, hides and leather are
reported higher and the great majority
of prices remain unchanged. Cotton
goods are in fair recorder demand from
interior and Eastern jobbers and retail
business is apparently prOce- ding at a
good rate. In first hands however. bus.-
ness Is decidedly dali. The print cloths
situation is unsatisfactory, owing to the
breakdown of the selling committee"
plan or disposal of the product Cur
taiment does not seem to have accom-
plished ITS purpose, and the Fall River
manufacturers are expected to take
some action shortly, one feature of which
may be a reduction in wages. The de-
mand for mems clothing woo.ons has not
come up to expectations, while on the
other hand dress fahri S have sold quite
well. Wool is slow Of sale at the East,
! but quite active at the West where quo
I tations are said to be relatively below
! those of the East. Raw cotton is low.
err, partly on better crop advices. but
mainly because of continued heavy re-
cepts.