The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-01
Dun's Review.


 New York, Jan. SIR. G. Dun and Company's review of trade tomorrow will say: Despite some drawbacks the busi- ness condition continues satisfactory wlth especially good news from manufactur- ing centres. Labor disputes are some what more numerous and low water stop ped mills in parts of the Northwest. Special lines were stimulated by season able weather, but the same influence af- fected others adversely. Although manu- facturers of steel have stubbornly resist ed imitation of prices the urgency or con- sumers has attracted more importations. Distant deliveries are undertaken by do- mestic producers. out, where immediate shipment is required, it is often impossi- hle to prevent foreign makers securing the business. Last years official state- ment showed a considerable loss In ex- ports of some finished products of iron and steel, and this was doubtless due to the same pressure by home consumers that is now bringing a movement into the country, not in competition with pro ducers here. but because early deliveries cannot be made. As anticipated, the ore companies fixed BeSsemer at the old rate of A.25. The remarkable report of the steel corporation gives some idea of the volume of business transacted last year. while contracts already placed practically assure still greater activity for 1902. All lines have share In the vigorous de- mand, with railway and structural sup plies leading, and preparation for spring work has removed the dullneSS rom pipe and tube departments.
 Minor metals finally reached a point where consumers were attracted and re- covery was general. footwear shops In New England have large orders for spring goods and are still busy on sea- continue to exceed those of last year. Wholesale buyers are in the Boston mar ket but show an inclination to delay placing contracts at t:e present ad- yo rip ha1 ,4sl further.
 Textile mills are well occupied and the lack of accumulations in first hands gives a strong tone to the market though there is much evidence of conservatism among buyers. While the size of the cotton crop remains uncertain. it must exert a quieting influence on goods. Fewer lines of new WoolenS have been opened than were expected. The raw material is sus- tained by brisk comS etition and firm prices at the London wool sale.
 After carving the decline 70 an extreme point. especially for coarse grain, there was sharp recovery. As usual during a period of gradually falling quotations, the market became heavily oversolI, so that once the turning point appeared there was the added impetus of anXioasness by the short contingent. Even at the low est point of the week wheat was cents and corn IS cents higher than at the cor responding date last year. Foreign buy ing of wheat was not perceptibly Stim- bAatSo DS IllO lONSI pilCCS, Dtil lI6TS COH- tinued a steady outgo. aggregating B. 324,75S a year ago. Consumption of wheat as fodder or holding back for higher prices prevents the big yield from swell ing receipts which for the week were 2,S40,0Sl bushels, against 2,775.975 last year. The reduced weld of corn is reflected in interior arrivals of only 2.379.365 bushels as compared with 4,9OS,92 year ago, while tae high price is responsible for Atlantic exports of 3S1 .SS0 bushels against 24lS.013 last year. Conflicting statements hold the cotton market in suspense. but there is no uncertainty as to the unpar. alelled yield of coffee. which put the price within a fraction of the lowest point on record.
 Liabilities of commercial failures dur ing four weeks of January aggregate $12.- 902,0O7. of whi h $5,6S3,992 were in manu- featuring, $6, 4S5,9S4 in trading and $7S2. 63l in other strictly commercial lines. Aside from a few exceptionally heavy defaults. the showing is very good as to manufacturing. Large decreases appear in liabilities as compared with last years failures in iron, machinery, cotton. lum. her and chemicals