The sun., 1901-03-09
BUSINESS CONDITIONS.
Little Change This Week, According
saA to Dun'S Review.
DECLINE In COTTON NOTED.
Prices of Iron and Steel Move Up
ward Rapidly, and Some Bids at
Current Rates For Distant
Delivery Are Refused.

New York, March S.--R. G. Dun &
Co.'s weekly review of trade says:
Little change was developed this
week in the condition of general bust
ness. Ground recently gained seemed
to be held without difficulty, with
good distribution of merchandise by
jobbers in most directions, and with
entire absence of speculative activity.
There have, been further declines in
cotton, which does not help the goods
market, still the most backward and
disappointing of all the great indus
tries. But in mechanical lines the prog
ress being made Is noteworthy.
Building materials. including lumber,
are in especially urgent demand, and
dealers who can deliver stock have no
difficulty in securing advanced prices.
In this. unlike most other lines of busi-
ness, the east leads the country, and
just at this season it is of particular
significance. Collections are reported
good all through the west and are bet
ter than usual at the south.
Conditions in iron and steel begin to
assume an appearance similar to that
of 1899. Prices have moved upward
| rapidly since the turn was made, and
bids at current rates for, distant deliv-
cry are often refused. Manufacturers
are unanimous in reporting a great de-
| mand for domestic consumption, while
| export contracts for finished forms are
still taken in competition with declin-
ing foreign markets. 1t is at such n
time, when the outlook is brightest
and quotations are advancing sharply,
that the conservative man becomes
cogniZant of the fact that there Is
always danger Of imitation when op-
| timism goes beyond bounds. Granting
| that there is not cloud on the horizon.
| il is well to remember that exports of
y'n and steel have been smaller of late,
Il yet the present production is far in
excess of domestic consumption, even
allowing moderate increase over pre-
vious years. Production of coke ex-
pands. and shipments are only limited
| by car shortage.
Textile Fabrics.
Textile fabrics exhibit little anima-
tion. although the markets are still far
from satisfactory position. Knit
goods receive more attention for fall
lines, hosiery ana articles for summer
outing are taken freely, mercerized
goods of expensive qualities enjoy a
brisk demand ana cheaper cottons are
exported in considerable quantities:
Some lines of silk lind buyers without
further cut, and labor troubles at the
mills are less disturbing. Cotton
weavers in Germany have received a
reduction of % per cent IN wages, re-
flecting the condition of the industry
there. Two large failures in wool oc-
cured abroad, and three Vermont con
Germs We're forced to suspend. Sales of
wool at the three chief eastern mark cts
decreased nearly 100000 pounds com.
pared with the previous weeks bust.
ness, but this is favorable symptom
as excessive operations of late Were
due to forced sales at lower prices.
Cotton declined still further, with op.
ton business active. Idle mills, esti
mates of liberal receipts and indica
tions that planters will cultivate M
enormous acreage this season resulted
in the lowest price of the season. Will
the exception of Il weak spot early las
June the quotation has not been rs low
in over year. but the present price il
over 81 per cent above the bottom rec
ord of 1893.
Wheat is in abundant supply, will
quotations well above last years, ow
ing to reports that the Hessian fl.
promises to be unusually troublesome
while weather conditions are ais
threatening. Atlantic exports of wheat
flour included, We're 2,44I,990 bushel
for the week, against 1,6S1 ,S95 Il yea
ago. while corn exports were 3.3J7, f3
bushels. against 2,1S3,21S i'll 190t
Heavy supplies of coffee ut last pr,
vailed over manipulation and price
declined.
Failures for the week Were POS in tn
, United States against 205 last yea
r and 26 in Canada against 80 last year.