The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-23
BRADsTREET's ON THE WEEK.
Textiles Continue n Weak Spot in
the Trade Situation.

the Trade Situation
NEW YORK. March 23--Bradstreet
review Of trade today says:
Trade Is still active. though, perhaps.
not SO buoyaut as in weeks past, partly
owing 10 the natural subsistence Of the
spring demand at wholesale and partly
10 the interruption TO demand and ship
nleuts by snow and rain storms in the
northern half Of the country From the
South the first distinctly unfavorable ad-
vices received for some time past come
as q result OF the heavy and continued
decline IN the price Of cotton
Trade comparisons with earlier years
favor the present season, as may be gath
cred from the exceptionally good railway
earnings returns. and the enormous in
creases in cIearings. some Of which are
no doubt explained by the preparations
for large financial operations and the
buIlish speculation in stocks, which has
resulted in new price records for many
securities.
1t is. of course. too early 10 report
definitely on the crop outlook, but II
might be noted that the late heavy SHOWS,
while interruptive TO traffic and to farm
preparations, have helped the winter
wheat outlook materially, and viii aid
the spring wheat producer also South
western advices are especially cheerful.
and farmers in that section hope TO re-
peat OF even improve upon the good re
suits Of last year The Yields Of wheat
and barley in California VIII be very
heavy
a large acreage is looked for in cot
ton, minimum estimates ranging above
10 per cent, although present prices and
the outlook are not nearly as attractive
as year ago. Distribution and demand
o. b.
lowered prices of cotton and the same
report comes from Memphis and Chat
tanooga-
Textiles are stiu the sore spot in the
trade situation. Cotton is PC lower on
the week, 2zzc below the top OF the rise
last year. and ISsc below a year ago. The
experts who predicted famine in sup
plies six months ago ROW witness heavy
movement Of cotton from the South
threatening TO swamp low crop estimates.
For the first time in months the South
ern trade advices are depressed
Cotton goods are depressed. and price
cutting is the rule, but signs of improve
nent are 20 be found in the agreement
OF Fail River mills TO run half time for
the next two months and thus keep 600
GO pieces Of print cloths of Of the mar
ket- Wool strengthens as cotton weak
ems.
Iron and steel are strong. and even
buoyaHt. but. as in times past. the West
ern trade displays the greatest activity
and the most strength, while Eastern
markets have rather Jagged behind Chi
cage and PittsbGrg display great ANNA
ton, and Central Western mills are
crowded with orders Furnaces are sold
ahead 70 July !, and prompt deliveries
command Il premium
January net earnings were very good
Gross receipts of ~ roads aggregated
SS5,5SL6l. while net returns aggregate
$30,7o5245. a gain Of IQ.7 per cent in gross
and Of 10 per cent in net This gain fol-
lows an increase in January. 1890. Of .
per cent over 1888 The Southwestern
lines show The heaviest increase in net. ,.
per cent followed by the trunk lines
with 245 per cent, the coal roads with ];
per cent, and the Pacific roads with a.
per cent The smallest gains are those
reported by the Central Western roads
SIS per cent. Gross earnings for the sec
oEd week Of March show a gain Of s pei
cent over a year ago.
Failures Tor the week number 23I, 4,
against 20 last week and 1S2 III this vgeeI
q year ago