Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-05
TRADE DISTURBED BY LABOR
Strikes and Lockouts the Only UnfsvOrable
Conditions at Present.
DEMAND FOR MANUFACTURED GOODS BIG
All Lines Have Good Request and
Prices Are well Maintained,
Some Holders Insisting
on ADVANCE
NEW YORK, April Ar. C. Dur G Co.'s

NEW YORK, April 4.-R. G. Dun G. Co.'s
Weekly Review tomorrow will say:
Labor controversies continue to be the
only seriously disturbing events in the in
dustrial world, and while many disagree
ments have been promptly settled, others
have appeared to interrupt production and
new undertakings. Retail distribution of
spring wearing apparel received a check
from the inclement weather in many local
tiles, yet merchandise of most staple lines
is purchased freely and collections are sat
isfactory at nearly all points except the
south.
Supplies of iron and steel do not seem in
n immediate danger of o~vertaking the
demand. In fact the prospect of labor dis
turbance on May | makes the situation
still more uncertain and those who hoped
for equilibrium In the market by July. l
the dividing. point as to quotations, prices
after July 1 averaging. about 81 per ton
less than the earlier deliveries, while those
few fortunate sellers of spot material con-
tinue to secure large premiums. P%tttsburg
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 little
more freely, yet prices are fully sustained.
In the market for textile products there
is a 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. capacity
for some time. Although quotations are
nominally without change, the scarcity Of
available supplies makes 1t a simple mat
ter to hold supplies. Export demand for
sheetlngs and drillings 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 anX-
iously looking for. goods to replace deliv-
cries interrupted by the strike at Olney-
VILE and vicinity. No Improvement Is
recorded in conditions at footwear shops
in New England, where only the larger
manufacturers are able to keep going
Prices of shoes are unchanged, although
buyers are holding back for better terms.
Leather has steadied under large purchases
of sole and betting, with the additional
support of heavy dress demands.
Widely divergent views as to the crop
outlook resulted in a dull market for the
cereals and only small changes In prices.
Wheat receipts for the week were but
2,074, 500 bu., against 3,357,l35 bu. last year,
while exports from all ports of the United
States amounted to 3,S65,075 bu., compared
with 4.626,037 a year ago.
There was not the customary loss in re-
ceipts of corn-1, 5S0,55 bu., comparing with
LOOP, OF a year ~ago-but Atlantic exports
were only 204 1856 bu., against 3,N6,S9l.
1t is rot surprising that cotton is so
firmly held, as indicated lin the dispatches
in the south. These reports indicate small
stocks of old cotton and a 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 seasonable
tendency downward. Dun's index number,
giving the aggregate of quotations proper
toned to was S99,222 on. April
l., against $l0l,59O a month ago. This de-
cline of 2.3 per cent was mainly due to the
higher temperature, which accelerated the
output of garden and dairy products.
Failures in the United States this week
were 167, against 1856 last year, and % In
Canada, against 20 last year.