The news & observer., 1901-02-22
DRY GOODS IN THE FRONT
Pig Iron and Steel Billets Advance
Large Sales
8nlLDlNG MATERIALS NOTABLY STRONG
Export Trade in Iron and Steel Slack. Dizziness
in Cotton Goods at First Hands Effects
Manufacturing in That Line
IniuriousIy.
(By the Associated Press.)

New York. Feb. 2l.-Bradstreets of
February 23d will say:
Trade as a whole has shown further
expansion this week, despite severe
weather tending to check trade at some
Northern ara Western markets and in
the face of very unsatisfactory condi-
tions in the cotton manufacturing trade
brought about by dullness in cotton
goods at first hands. The position of
retailers with large stocks has been
really improved by the continued cold
weather.
Foremost among The lines noting
Improvement this week is the dry goods
trade, which is reported active on
spring account by jobbers. The boot
and shoe industry has likewise con-
tinued III a satisfactory shape and some
varieties OF leather reflect recent activ-
ity in advances at Eastern markets.
Iron and Steel in the cruder forms have
been very strong at Central and Eastern
markets, and considerable advances are
ported in pig iron and steel billets.
Heavy sales are reported from Pitts
burg. Birmingham and other markets.
Bessemers pig iron at Pittsburg is now
selling at S14.75 the highest price for
months, while premium of $1.50 a ton
is eXacted on immediate deliveries of
steel bIlets. although the official quo
tations of S1975 still maintains. Fin
ished products are reported on good de-
mand Merchant bars We're advanced
50 a ton late last week, and 1.35 cents
is now the minimum price of these
goods Structural material is reported
steadily active. In some respects, its
state is the strongest since before the
collapse last spring. Export trade is
slack foreign and ST 81 markets are
steadily going lower am the fear of dis
criminatne duties against American
iron and steel is evident, although the
first manifestat ton, that in the case of
Russia, involves a very small amount
OF business
THE strength OF building materials
of all kinds. particularly of white and
yellow pine and builders hardware. has
been notable, and from many cities
comes the report that a large amount
of building will be done the coming
spring. Coffee strengthened on better
consumptive demand Tea has met with
immediate change in the present tariff
by Congress becomes less probable. Tin
is higher. in sympathy with speculative
activity abroad.
'The cereals show little definite move
ment taking the week as Il whole, eX-
cepting in fioug, which is 10 TO 20c bar
rel higher. Wheat is fractionally higher
and corn and oats are unchanged, but
sthe corn situation is notable in view of
this being season OF increasing stock.
Chief support comes from the active
foreign home demand for this cereal,
consumptive requirements for which
seem to have definitely overtaken pro-
duction
Wheat, including flour, shipments
for five days aggregate 3,424, ,302 this
week against 4,S14,S7S last week. 3,660.-
$40 in the corresponding week of 1900,
3,S44, 359 in 1899 and 1922, ,469 in 1898.
From July 1st TO date this season'e
wheat export are 129,214,676 bushels
against 130,517,211 last season and 1G2,-
500 2S9 in 1888 80
Corn exports Tor the week aggregate
{, 3,267 sos bushels against 1850, 422 bush
els last week 2,S96175 in this week
year ago, 2.S71, ,057 in 1899 and 1852, 799
bushels in 1898. From July 1st to date
this seasons corn exports are 1871,
ga bushels, against 139 ,083. .2S4 last sea-
son and 107,711172 bushels in 1S9S99.
Business failures in the United
States for the week number 2l9 as
against 226 last week, los in this week
a year ago, 30 in 1899, 1S3 in 1898 and
23S in 1897