Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-12
TIE TRADE SITUATION
Check Due to the Unfavorable
Weather Is Of Transitory
Nature.
Bank Clearines Large in Volume
and the General Situation
Good.
Railroad Earnings Increasing
and Activity Of Industries
Continues.

New York, April 12.-Bradstreets
Weekly Review of Trade today says:
while cross currents in trade ana
Industry make it difficult to character
ize the general trade situation the
country over, appearances would 1ndl-
cate that the check given distributive
trade by reactionary weather, crop un-
certainties and additional friction in In
dustrial circles is of a transitory char
acter Bank clearings, all things cons1d-
cred. are of large volume, railroad earn
ings point to continued increases over
the same period a year ago, and espe-
cial activity is noted in leading manu-
featuring lines, principally iron and
steel lumber cotton goods, coal mining,
machinery making and host OF lesser
industries. Jobbing distribution at the
central west and at leading eastern
centers notes further quoting down,
but in the spring wheat sections reports
are of undiminished activity. Despite
the lowering in the general average OF
wheat as a result of the dry weather of
last fall and the early winter, indicated
by the government report, winter wheat
crop prospects are still for a crop in ex-
cess of 4OO,Oo0,000 bushels, and about
equal. in fact, to the indicated final out
turn last year. A large acreage is indi-
Gated in oats and that crop seems to be
progressing we'll. AS to the corn crop,
little doubt exists that a large area
will be planted. Cotton has continued
to lead the staples in the matter of
bullish feeling. Cotton goods have
strengthened in tone, partly on the rise
in the raw product and partly on the
realization of the fact that increased
wages for $4,000 employees involve
higher prices for the finished product.
Wool has tended to weaken, owing to
the spread of the strike of weavers to
other mills of the leading interests.
Outside manufacturers are said to be
profiting by the interruption of the
leading companies deliveries. Aside
from the changes noted, staple products
manifest continued steadiness. Coffee
is slightly weaker, owing to the pres
sure of the enormous visible supply, the
worlds stock being nearly 100000
bags, or so per cent larger than year
ago. Raw sugar has weakened on the
anticipation of legislation in favor of
Cuba, and record low prices have been
touched again. The same is also true
Of silver prices. Among the industries
iron and steel are still exemplars Of
activity. Prices of Bessemer pig iron
have moved upward this week on the
announcement that very large sales for
delivery between October, 1902, and
April, 1903 aggregating $4,000 tons.
have been closed. Foundry and forge
iron are also firmer. Finished products
note few changes in price, but no dimi-
mutton in activity of demand. In rails,
no orders will be accepted for delivery
during the balance of the year. Large
orders for spikes have been refused.
The building trades and therefore lum-
Der, hardware and the multitude of oth-
er lines dependent thereon report di-
minished activity. No special activity
is noted in boots and shoes, eastern
shipments, in fact continuing to fall
behind year ago. The general appear
ance of the leather trade is one of
quiet. Cereal prices moved within mar
row limits early, pending the publica-
strength being impaired by reports of
better export demand and cold weather
interfering with the growing crop, but
this strength disappeared later and the
report itself, tho claimed to be sur
prise, exercised little effect. the net
changes for the week being slight. Hog
products strengthened slightly on the
small run of hogs and also on increased
demands by packers. Wheat Gnclud-
ing flour, exports for the week aggre-
gate 3,S42,012 bushels, against 4,446,917
last week and 6,403,6O1 in this week last
year. Wheat exports from July 1, 1901,
to date (forty-one weeks) aggregate
2O2,6S7,97O bushels, against 161,027,71s
last season. Corn exports aggregate
1885 bushels. against 33O531 last
week and 2,623,sS4 last year. From
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