The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-12
GOOD NEWS IN
BUSINESS WORLD
Southern Planters Behind on
Account of Rains
PIG IRON SELLS FOR $3.50
Dun and 5radstreet's Say Outlook Is
Bright, Notwithstanding Serious
Drawbacks, Such as Strikes.
Manufacturers Active.
PIG IRON SELLS FOR $3.50

New York, April 11.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
Good news predominates in the bust
ness world. Notwithstanding two some
what serious drawbacks. Weather condi-
tions have been unsatisfactory at many
points retarding retail distribution and
delaying out door work while excessive
rain has put many Southern planters be-
hind with work in the cotton fields. Still
more of a handicap is the strike between
wage earners and employers Manufact-
uring circles are especially active In
lines not disturbed by strikes, and there
is vigorous movement of goods through
regular channels.
At the close of last week negotiations
were concluded for large sale of pig
iron at 1850; furnace deliveries begin
ming in October and covering six months.
This price is in line with the avowed
conservative illustrations of the leading
interests. Yet spot transactions are report
ed at 81 higher quotations whenever buy
ers are so fortunate as to secure prompt
shipment Not only pig iron, but bars,
billets and structural shape are sold far
ahead that new business is com paratively
light although consumers would quickly
absorb any early deliveries that might
be offered. The situation may briefly be
summed up in the statement that 1t is
the exception when the order books are
not filed for full capacity we'll toward
contracts abroad. -
Frmness In Cotton GoodsY/
Firmness in cotton goods naturally fol-
lows the combination of light stocks and
the interruption of work at some mills
with threatened disturbances at others.
together with the higher price of raw
material In many lines it is no longer
possible to secure prompt deliveries and
buyers have practically ceased to ask
concessions. , Large transactions have
been erected for export mainly for sheet
Ing for China. Clothing buyers are seek
ing is secure wooden goods to substitute
feT deliveries retarded by the stock but
find the market heavily over bought and
many lines withdrawn or advanced in
prices. Worsted manufacturers are busy
and there is a noticeable inquiry for
yarns.
Footwear manufacturers have secured
a little more business and shops have
been able to avoid the reduced demand
that was feared. Jobbers have placed or
ders for fall supplies earlier than usual.
which had helpful influence. Notions
are fairly steady, and in the jobbing trade
there is greater demand for shoes than
was expected. Leather is quiet after the
recent activity, yet there is no indication
of weakness, and exports increase. Dry
| hides have advanced
Corn Neru lrranIIiar
Fluctuations were more irregular in
corn, which broke sharply here and at
the west, but made a partial recovery,
Though still remaining below the best
price of last month. Wheat moved within
narrow limits, varying a fraction accord
ing to the preponderance of good or bad
crop news Western receipts for the week
were 1,722 542 bushels against 2,96S042 last
year, and the total for the crop year is
gradually falling back to last years fig
ures. Lower prices stimulated exports
for a time, but shipments of wheat and
flour from all ports of the United States
during the week were only 3,S49970 BUSH
els, against 4,976,S10 last year, and ATTAIN
tic port exports of corn were only 1928
bushels, against 2.020,349 a var ago.
Cotton moved up to the highest point of
the season. and in the option market it
was noteworthy that heavy liquidation
failed to produce weakness, offerings be-
ing readily absorbed
Coffee was depressed by excessive
stocks and receipts, the spot price falling
! close to the low record.
Failures for the week numbered 19S in
the United States, against 203 last year,
and in Canada they were Is, against "a
| year ago.