The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-22

THE CONDITIONS IN
TRADE IMPROVING
Labor Controversies Are Less
Threatening.
SOME STRIKES SETTLED
In Few Cases Wages Are Advanced
tz* Voluntarily
SOME STRIKES SETTLED
TRAFFIC CONGESTION HAS suBsIDED
The Leading Lines of Manufacture Are Fully
Engaged. Reports From The South I'm
animously Report Stocks Of Cot
tan Nearly Exhausted.
tan Nearly Exhausted.
(By the Associated Prsss.)


New York, March 2.-I G. Dun e
Company's weekly Review of Trade to-
morrow will say:
Evidences of further improvement are
numerous. Labor controversies are less
threatening, many settlements having
been effected. while others are momen-
tarily anticipated wages have been ad-
vanced, not only through strikes, but in
some cases voluntarily, traffic congestion
has subsidized, until it is possible to de-
liver goods according to specifications;
aside from some idle footwear shops, the
leading lines of manufacture are very
fully engaged, while jobbing trade of ex-
ceptional magnitude. Retail dealings are
also very large, the Easter stimulus be-
ing felt in all lines of wearing apparel
With domestic demands so vigorous, it is
especially encouraging to notice a gain
for the last week in foreign trade at the
principal ports.
Pressure for iron and steel has not di-
ninished perceptibly, yet the IMPRESSION
is growing that after July list the situa-
tion will become approximately normal
and it will be possible to secure deliver
les with some degree of promptness
Large contracts are constantly under con-
sideration for structural material on do
nestle account, including railway bridges,
viaducts, car shops and office building
In this respect the domestic consumption
this year will far surpass all records
Open weather has brought out heavy
tonnage of merchant pine.
Advanced wages at cotton mills means
higher cost of production and the mar
ket has hardened in consequence. Bust
ness under the new conditions mas not yet
been sufficiently large to establish QUO
tations, yet some advau ces of to per
cent are recorded. Export sales are still
checked by high prices. A helpful feature
is the increased limit at Southern Job
hing centres
Grain markets have begun to feel the
effects of weather reports al for the
next few months it will be q simple mat
ter for spectators to secure erratic fuc-
tuations. Strength was conspicuous on
Thursday, last years serious injury to
corn making quotations particularly SEN
sitive to indications of drouth.
Cotton showed no response to Mr..
Neill's reiteration of his early estimate
placing the yield at II, $50, 900 bales. AL
though 400 900 bales more cotton has come
into sight than a year ago. reports from
the South are almost unanimous regard
ing the exhaustion of stocks.
Failures for the week number 209 in
the United States against 224 last year
and 81 in Canada against SO last year.
COMPARATIVE COTTON STATEMENT.
New York, March 21.-For the week
ending Friday, March 21st: Net receipts
at all United States ports during week,
1G1,391: net receipts at all United States
ports during same wee last year, 129,-
1853; total receipts to this date, 6,S09, 49,
total receipts to same date last year, g.
243 las; exports for the week, S7,714; ex-
ports for same week last year, 97,10f;
total exports to this date, 5,457, 45O; total
exports to same date last year, 4,757,777;
stock at all United States ports, 717,32S;
stock at all United States ports same time
last year, S24,444; stock at all interior
towns, 1904; stock at all interior towns
same time last year, 604,s31; stock at
Liverpool, 111S,000; stock at Liverpool
same time last year, 100000: stock of
American af1oat for Great Britain, 112,-
600; stock of American afloat for Great
Britain same time last year, $4,000.
TOTAL NET RECEIPTS.
New York, March 21.-The following
are the total net receipts of cotton at
all ports since September LIST, 1901:
Galveston, 1.S72,74S; New Orleans,
1895. 659; Mobile, 14S,42S; Savannah
1.O3s. O97; Charleston 255, 0S7; Whining
ton 1863; Norfolk 41O,427; Baltimore
76. sos: New York, Ia, 234; Boston 1O9, 722;
Newport News. 1851; Philadelphia, 26,-
O33; Vancouver, 1854; Brunswick, 1919;
Fernandina. 1850; Pensacola, 152,6O1;
Port Arthur, 1896; Port Townsend,
1000: San Francisco, 1905; Portland,
Ore. 9,203 Total, 6,SO9,191 bales.
TOTAL BANK CLEARINGS.
New York, March 21.-Total bank clear
ings week ended March 20, $2,167 794,610,
decrease 1914 per cent; outside New York
S760 500 6Sd increase 7.S per cent.