The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-05
MARKET HAS MENACE
DUN'S SAYS LABOR CONTROVERSIES
ARE ONLY DISTURBING FAC
TORS OF TRADE
IRON AND STEEL DOUBTFUL
Course of Commodity Prices Goes
Downward, Owing to Weather
FaVOring the Garden and
Dairy Products

NEW YORK, April 4-R. G. Dun e
Co.'S weekly review tomorrow will say
Labor controversies continue the only
serious disturbing events in the industrial
world, and, while many disagreements
have been promptly settled, others have
appeared to interrupt production and
make manufacturers conservative about
new undertakings. Retail distributions of
spring wearing apparel received a check
from the more inclement weather in many
localities, yet merchandise Of most staple
lines is purchased freely, and collections
are satisfactory at nearly all points eX-
cept the South.
Supplies of iron and steel do not seem
in any immediate danger of overtaking
demand. In fact the prospect of labor
disturbances May l makes the situation
still more uncertain, and those who hoped
for equilibrium in the market by July l
are less sanguine
Midsummer seems to be the dividing line
as to quotations, prices after July
averaging about 81 per ton less than
earlier deliveries, while those few for
tunate sellers of spot material continue
to secure large premiums. Pittsburg pig
iron is definitely higher and large con-
tracts are still under negotiation between
the Bessemer producers and the leading
consumer. Coke continues to move a lit
tie more freely, yet prices are fully sus-
tanned.
Textiles Firm in Tone.
In the markets for textile products there
is distinctly firm tone. Labor troubles
and the high position of raw cotton are
both factors of strength while mills have
orders that will occupy their full capae-
ity for some time. Although quotations
are nominally without change, the scar
city Of available supplies makes it a sim
pie matter to hold prices. Export inquiry
for sheetings and drills has increased.
but makers insist on higher prices than
are offered in many cases.
1t is between seasons for wooden goods
and there is the usual quiet. except where
buyers are anXiOusly looking for goods to
replace deliveries interrupted by the strike
at Olneyville and vicinity No improve
ment is recorded in conditions at foot
wear shops in New England where ONLY
the larger manufacturers are able to keep
going. Prices of shoes are unchanged, al
though buyers are holding back for bet
ter terms Leather has steadieu under
large purchases of sole and betting but
this with the additional support of heavy
exports. domestic hides aagin average
lower.
Widely divergent views as to the croD
outlook resulted in a GdulI market for the
cereals and only small changes in prices
Wheat receipts for the week were but
2074,699 bu, against 3,357, 1876 last year,
while exports from all ports of the United
States amounted to 1896, 07O bu, compared
with 4,626,O37 year ago.
Corn Exports Fall OF
There was not the customary loss in
receipts of corn, 1850, sos bu, comparing
with 1.6O2O27 a year ago, but Atlantic ex-
ports We're only 2O4, 1856 blu against 3, GAG, 891
1t is not surprising that cotton is so
firmly held in view of the dispatches from
correspondents Of r. G. Dun & CO. in the
South. These reports indicate small
stocks Of old cotton and decrease Of
acreage for the next crop with smaller
sales of fertilizers and a backward
season.
The course of commodity prices during
the month of March indicates a tendency
downward. Duns index number giving
the aggregate Of quotations proportional
to consumption, was $99,222 on April /
against $101.593 a month previous. This
decline Of % per cent was mainly due
to the higher temperature which accel-
Grated the output of garden and dairy
products.
Failures in the United States this week
167, against 1876 last year and q in Canada
against 29 last year.