The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-18
BRADsTREEr's REVIEW.
Few Changes in the General Trad,
 Situation

Situation.
 New York. May 17.-Bradstreet's to- morrow will say:
 Aside from an increase of the spirit or unrest in labor circles, there are few changes to record in the general trade or industrial situation. Business in the country is of a seasonaole re-or. der character with wholesalers in dry goods. clothing and similar lines, but the volume of business Is fair for the season and collections are reported likewise. The basic facts underlying the situation continue largely of a fa- vorable character. Notable in this re- spect is the crop situation, particular " for the cereals, which is in nigh degree promising. The backward spring and lack of rains in some sec- tions has initiated against the growth of cotton but improvement is noted even in this respect.
 The industries are active. Iron and steel are strong but quiet as regards new demand for the cruder forms, but the finished products have been heavi- ly ordered and the mills have sufficient business to keep them busy from one to three months while a large addi- tional business is reported in sight. The demand of he machinists is re- garded as a possible disturbing fea- ture. but 1t is claimed that one-fourtn of the men involved have already suc- ceeded in their demands and the feel ing is that this matter will be adjusted with less than earlier expected friction. The hardware trades are reported ex- ceptionally active and some varieties of goods notably barb wire, are scarce.
 Foreign trade continues largely to favor this country and the demand for wheat to replace possible smaller yields in European countries has swelled the volume of export trade which iniSlt otherwise have fallen off from April year ago because of smaller ship :nents of cotton and of manufactured goods Probably the best reports as to new demand come from the leather and allied trades, while the poorest, as heretofore. are received from the tex tile industries. Prices evince consider able 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 re- main unchanged.
 Cotton goods are in fair recorder de- mand from interior and Eastern job bers and retail business is apparently proceeding at a good rate. In first hands, however business is decidedly dull. The print cloths situation is un- satisfactory, owing to the break down of the selling committee" plan of dis posal of the product. Curtailment does not seem to have accomplished its pur- pose, and the Fall River manufactur- CTS are expected to take some action shortly, one feature of which may be a reduction in wages.
 Raw cotton is lower, partly on better crop advices, but mainly because of continued heavy receipts.
 Wheat Gncluding flour) shipments for skae week aggregate S,SSf,S6S bushels, against 4,17S,872 bushels last week, 5,17S, 422 bushels in the corresponding week of 1900, 2,212.206 bushels in 1899 and 4,064, ,S32 in 1S9S.> From July 1 to date this season wheat exports are 1S5,- 0SO.078 bushels against 1S4 694, ,59S bush els last season and 206, ,694, ,S56 bushels in 1S9S-99.
 Corn exports for the week aggregate 2,7O4, ,5y4 bushels, against 1,5S3, ,S31 bush els last week, 3.437,994 bushels in this week a year ago, 2,75S,414 bushels in 1889 and 6.550.579 bushels in 1898.
 From July to date this season, corn exports are 161, ,303,S61 bushels, against 1S1. .2T9. .209 bushels last season and 14S,- 033. .215 bushels in 1S98-99.
 Failures for the week number 192 as against 193 last week. 155 in this week a year ago; 16S in 1899; 211 in 1898, and 245 in 1897.
 Canadian failures for the week num- Der 24, against 26 last week: "A in this week a year ago; IS in 1899, and 36 in 1898.