The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-19
PROSPECTS THEREFOR ARE CON-
SIDERED BETTER THAN
EVER
GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN
THE INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK
Preparations for Unusually Heavy Fall
Sales Being Made-Financial Con-
ditions Regarded Sound-Review of
the Weeks Operations Shows an En-
couraeins State of Affairs.

NEW YORK, July 18.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'s review of trade tomorrow will
say: The settlement of numerous la
Dor controversies and prospect of early
agreements as to other struggles have
greatly improved the industrial out
look, While agricultural conditions con-
t1nue to improve. AS these have. been
the only unfavorable influences for
some months, the prospects for active
trade are decidedly encouraging. Prep
arations for unusually heavy fall sales
are being made and confidence grows
stronger. Mills and furnaces that have
been idle on account of the usual over
hauling, resumed as rapidly as needed
repairs could be made. Financial con-
ditions are sound, the midyear dividend
distributions producing no stringency
and speculation has been heavy for the
season, both in securities and staples.
Pig iron continues to command full
prices, supplies falling below require
ments, and furnace deliveries falling to
fill contracts.
Fuel Scarce.
Scarcity of fuel is still the principal
drawback, while car and motive power
shortage are additional causes of de-
lay. New orders are reported for dis
tant delivery running about a year
ahead. Prices are fully maintained for
the raw material, but billets weakened
slightly because of foreign selling. I'M
portations have reached a considerable
aggregate and more are expected.
Structural material is still the feature,
new business being offered in great
bulk. Railway needs do not diminish.
despite the enormous amount of work
already placed and agricultural i'm
plement-makers are fully employed.
A general advance in prices of machine
tools has occurred, averaging nearly
10 per cent. 1t was expected that mills
and foundries would resell pig iron,
owing to the high premiums obtain
able, but this factor has had no APP
probable effect as yet, most consumers
requiring all the material received.
Manufacturers of cotton goods hold
prices steady, and there has been a dis
tinct improvement during the past
week, although buying is only for i'm
peratiVe requirements, the disposition
to delay purchases being still evident.
No concessions are offered by holders.
indicating the well-sold current con-
dltion and confidence as to the future.
Less Spinning.
Some curtailment of spinning is re-
ported at Southern mills the tendency
being to wait until new crop cotton
comes forward, Export trade has in
creased through buying for India, but
China is less of factor than usual.
New lines is lightweight woolens and
Worsteds have opened at unchanged
prices and the increased activity of
mills has aroused more interest in the
raw material which tends to advance.
Eastern shoe shops receive more or
ders, some of the larger producers re-
fusfng contracts calling for delivery
before October
Prices are firmly held. Crop pros
pects have continued favorable and
with the removal of speculative infiu-
ences there was a gradual decline in
prices. Cotton rules steady, the out
look for liberal yield being balanced
by the strong statistical position.
Failures for the week numbered 2t3
in the United States, against 1913 last
year, and 20 in Canada, against 80 last
year.