The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-09
THE CONDITION 0F
TRADE IA WORKABLE.
Price Irregularities No More Pro-
nounced Than Usual.
CEREALS DULL AND LOWER.
Iron and Stocl Have Been Ratho r
Quiet, But Steady-Tin,shed Pro-
ducts Especially Structural Ma
terial, Is in Active Inquiry.
(By Associated Press. }


NEW YORK, Feb. S.-Bradstreets to-
morrow Will say:
Trade developments this week, aside
from those connected with rumors OF
combination in great industries, OF which
it seems as YET too early to speak au-
thorltatively, have been in the main ia
vorable. Several lines OF trade ana many
staple prices show irregularlty, but THIS
probably is no more pronounced than
usual at this season of the year.
The feature OF the week in distributive
jobbinS lines has been the growth OF
spring demand in the South anu south
west, reflected in enlarged sales OF dry
goods boots and shoes, clothing and mil
linery. Better advices to the outlook for
trade coming from the Northwest and
Pacific coast are no less encouraging.
Retail distribution of winter goods re-
fleets the stimulus afforded by winter
weather, but large stocks probably still
carried are probably responsible for the
sloWness of collections TO improve.
CEREALS DULL.
The cereals are dull and rather lower
on large Argentine shipments and large
Northwest movement, the supporting tea
ture being the good export inquiry. The
strength in sole-leather is q feature noted
at many markets. Shoe buyers are IN
full force at Boston, but sample orders
are numerous. Factories are well Kept
up on immediate delivery orders
Lumber has Jagged among building ma
terials, but is srlnenIng III price as the
season of active operations approaches.
The textiles are rather quiet as to first
hands.
Cotton has weakened despite smaller
receipts, because of low trade reports from
good markets and advices of shading Of
gray goods. The better advices from
the GiStributive trade may. however. help
hH
to cover manufacturers sales. and some
soft spots ares reported. Plain dress
woollens are in chief demand and men S
wear goods are slow Of sale.
IRON AND STEEL.
Iron ana steel have been rather quiet,
but steady and even strong as to price
with finished products, particularly struc-
tural material, in active inquiry. lmme-
date demand for steel billets can only be
obtained at so cents to over the pool price
Besserner pig-iron is strong, p TO 90 cents
higher on the week. Sales OF foundry
pig-iron to pipe manufacturers are liberal
at Chicago and ST. Louis. Stocks are
claimed to be not accommodating at tur-
naces in the former district. Birmingham
reports the coal supply inadequate to de-
mands of iron furnaces. Wtlich are reported
sold two months ahead.
Notwithstanding tlour-shipments TOR
week aggregate 4,991,Sl3 bushels. against
3,776, 100 last week 2.9O2,35' in the corr
spending week >of 1860; 5,IS0,5G0 in 1898,
and 3,419,501 in 1899
From July first to date wheat exports
are 120,975,496 bushels, against 1Sss,OZ2,Z ~
last season, and 15659S, 159 in 1888
Corn exports Tor the week aggregated
l. 40 bushels, against 3,gV1,1O1 Correct
ed) last week; 3450,903 III this week year
ago, 1866, 622 in 1899, and 4,50S,O12 in 1898.
From July first to date this season corn
exports are 119.943.SS4 bushels. against
49,, $3.50, ia last season, and 1o5,2'92'i IN
1S9S-'99.
Business failures for the week in the
United States 2.5, against 2SS last week,
81 in this week a year ago, l9G in 1899,
27S in 1885, and 301 in 1887.