Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-21


r. G. Dun & Co.'S review says:
Weather conditions have been potent for good
during the past week. Retail distribution was
greatly accelerated which IN turn enlare e
manufacturers for prompt snlpment' asIcua-
tural work was facilitated and building opera
tons made rapid progress; traInc Inc1easso
improved, which made collections peter. some
labor controversies We're settled ana otheIs
were .averted. Complaints are sthl neaFo re-
garding the tardy deliveries. but freight Is less
congested and business has increased 10 the
extent of SO per cent. Larger railway earn
ines for kpril are reported thus far than last
year and 1873 per cent over 1900.
Quotations Of iron and steel cannot yet De
considered inflated, but the market is following
a natural course, despite the efforts OF Leading
interests to maintain a conservative POSITION
Supply and demand must in the long run gov
ern prices. and in this industry needs are
greater than available stocks. although pro-
ductive capacity has largely expanded. Pres
sure for pig iron is very great, but furnace
the future and consumers who want prompt
delivery are willing to pay premiums. SINH
larly as to steel rails the regular price OF $1e
has become nominal on current business, an
advance of IS a ton being readily paid for i'm
mediate delivery. This is especially notlceaole
urgent trolly construction specifications
for buildings promise abundant additional
contracts for structural material, while some
mills have already sold their entire output Tor
1902. Machinery and hardware lines share in
the exceptional activity and are doing pr1sk
export business in spite OF high prices
tions in the raw material. although its strength
has contributed to the steadiness Of the I'm
ished product. The feature Of the week was
the increased inquiry for export. and mills
catering to this trade sold far into the
autumn. In the domestic trade many bids
slightly below ruling prices were not consid-
cred, and IL is evident that supplies are in
strong hands. Deliveries are being made more
promptly, yet there is no fear OF accumulation.
Wooden goods are in less urgent demand,
purchasers having secured most of the cloth
which the American company was unable to
furnish owing to the strike. Buying Of dress
goods has decreased. Jobbers are beginning
to go out with fall lines.
Footwear shipments from Boston have de-
creased, but jobbers placing orders for fall
and the shops are fairly we'll occupied. Shoe
manufacturers buying leather more freely,
holding prices fairly steady, except for hem
lock SOLE which lost &c.
Grain and meats have continued very strong.
There was some logical explanation Of the ad-
vance in corn interior receipts falling to S57 500
bushels for the week. while Atlantic exports
rose to 3S4 1903 bushels, unusually large total
for recent times, although small by comparison
with the corresponding week in preceding
years.
Wheat was sustained by exports from all
ports Of 4,4S5352 bushels, -four included, against
,S91 a year ago.
Cotton attained higher price. southern mar
kets leading the advance on decreasing port re-
Sugar and coffee have been notably weak the
latter falling to within lis of the bottom
record.
Failures for the week numbered PSI in the
United States, against 206 last year, and "a In
Canada against p year ago.