The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-13
BRADsT7EET's REVIEW.

New York. September 12.-Bradstreet' s tomorrow will say:
 Taken as a whole foreign trade is still expansion in volume because north and northwestern markets report unabated activity, eastern jobbing is as active as heretofore and the south reports more doing at nearly all centers. Frost held off until the close of the week when a scare was worAed up. Any deterioration now, however, can only be as to quality, because the crop seems secure as to puan- tity. Industry is active and except in the eastern shoe manufacturing trade the hard coal region and iron furnace work. the latter because of the coke shortage. present outputs equal, and in most cases exceed records. Despite the fact that the new crops are only nov ing in small volume and the usual activ- ity in anthracite coal Is absent, the pinch of the car shortage is steadily growing
 That the trouble is not entirely one of too few cars seems evident from the heavy orders for locomotives given by the leading railroad lines. Scarcity of help is noted in the south for picking cotton. and at the north in public works. Wsge adyices are not entirely absent. and there is talk of a general movement for better compensation on western rail- roads. Collections are uniformly satis- factory except at the south, but even there improvement Is noted at various points, due to increased movement of cotton.
 One fact brought out in the reports as to activity in dry goods, clothing, shoes, millinery and groceries is the very gen eral demand for a higher class of goods which manifests itself Retail trade the country over also seems better stimulat- ed, partly by cooler weather. From a number Of cities complaints come from distributors that manufacturers are be- hird on orders.
 The corn crop made satisfactory pro- gress toward maturity until Friday, when general frost was reported. without, how ever. much effect cn prices Altogether government and private advices as to crops of cereals, fruits and tobacco are quite encouraging for a large yield The quality of oats will be below the standard owing to- the wet weather in harvesting and much winter wheat isNbe- low grade. The reduced movements of hogs to market is apparently based on fewer animals on the farm. Rice yields will be liberal in the south and sugar. cane is making good progress. Dry weather will reduce the crop of citrus fruits in Florida.
 Another notable feature is the general strength exhibited by prices. The small est stock of wheat supplies since 1898 Is indicated both here and abroad. It has been a weather market for corn reports of damage yet to come from frcsts in- ducing fractional gain on the week. Ex- port business in wheat was large early in the week, and the tendency of this branch of business to expand at slight concessions is notable.
 Cotton goods are firmer, as much be- cause of the steady insistent demand as because of the strength of the raw ma terial, which closed 1-16diAc below last week. The situation in wool and wooden goods Is very favorable to sellers. The strength in hides is the keynote to the leather and shoe markets. Building ma- terial is active and lumber leads in az gressive strength. A feature in keeping with the advancing season is the higher range of farm products. Eggs are higher and butter IS advancing on larger con- (contnued on Sixth Page)