The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-28
KINGS ILLNESS
 HURT MARKETS Dun's and Bradstreet'S Weekly
 Review of Trade IRON AND STEEL ACTIVE Most of the Blast Furnaces That Were Stopped py the Scarcity of An
 thracite Coal Have Re-
 sumed With Coke.
IRON AND STEEL ACTIVE

New York, June FIR. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 Foreign maI~ets were badly dlsar- ranged by the sudden !llnesS of the King and there was much confusion prior to the closing of the British exchanges from Wednesday afternoon to Monday morn- ing. Domestic financial conditions are ex- ceptionally satisfactory and trade is well maintained, although low temperatures interferred with the distribution of mid summer specialtles. Manufacturing oper- ations have increased in activity, es- pecially in the iron and steel industries and the textile production, while the con structive work on new buildings and bridges Is very heavy. Railway earnings thus far reported for June exhibit an av- craze increase of 4.6 per cent over last year and TIT per cent over 190O. Most of the blast furnaces that were stopped by the Soarcity of anthracite coal have resumed with coke, of which the ovens have established new records of output, and shipments have been still larger, owing to the stocks accumulated during tho car shortage Despite the vlg- orous pig iron production. numerous con tracts have been placed abroad, and still tho machine shops, manufacturers of stoves and implements and consumers generally are seeking deliveries.
 Structural shapes of steel and all forms cf railway equipment continue to lead the market, orders jn these lines running far into next year. Bprs and sheets are the least active iu the market but there is no tendency 70 weakness. Higher fretghts have not materially checked im- portations, and 1t is reported that large structural mill in Germany has sold It's output for thls year to American con- sumers Another evidence of domestic needs Is the placing of a Mexican rail contract with British producers, whiAh would ordinarily have been taken in this country. Eastern manufacturers of foot wear report a large volume or contracts, manly fer delivery in August and Sep tember
 Statesmen are sending in more orders, the change for the better being most noticeable at the south More activity occurred In cotton goods, although at some concessions In prices. The changes were a natural result of recent declines in the raw material buyers having de- iayed orders on that account Although bleached cottons were freely purchased at the decline, there was nttle raQlnS in print cloths, even at three centers. Wooien goods have taken more freely, | especially the better qualities and cloth- l ing manufacturers are preparing for a 1 large fall trade. Raw wool Is in better request at eastern markets, but the new clip Is held at a premium that limits I trade.
 Agricultural prospects, are far above the average and rapid progress Is made with winter wheat harvesting. Delays have been encountered from heavy rains while injury has occurred in the south west from drouth, but these adverse h. f1uences are less extensive than usual. Wide differences between cash prices and next crop options indicate the views of traders. The week brought little alter ation in spot quotations, light supplies holding all cereals fairly steady. Injury in Texas has partially offset the spen- did outlook in other cotton states, while the strong statistical position together with liberal consumption and covering of short contracts at Liverpool combin- ed to cause a sharp rise in option prices and a moderate stiffening of spot cot ton, but the advance was not maintain ed.
 Failures for the week number 200 in the United States against 204 last year and 20 in Canada against 23 a year ago.