The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-08
GENERAL TRADE
 IS PROGRESSING Reports from All Over Country
 Are Encouraging IRON MARKET UNCHANGED Dun and Bradstreet Report Whole some Development In All Lines
 of Business-Lard Is Now
 Practically cornered.
IRON MARKET UNCHANGED

1 New York, November 7-R. G. Dun x Co.'s weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 | Trade and industry are making steady progress, reports from all sections of the country containing evidences of whole some development. An unusually large fall distribution occurred and current transactions in heavier goods are liberal considering the mildness of the season. Complaints of slow freight movement are still heard, testifying to the enormous volume of business handled by the rail ways, which report earnings for October as AS per cent larger than last year and 142 per cent above 1900. It is the expec- tation when manufacturing plants have not contracts assuring activity for many months and annual inventories will be taken with difficulty, owing to the im- portunate customers. Prices of commod- ities proportoned to consumption, as shown by Dun's Index Number, declined about 1 per cent during October $99,579 comparing with $100,64S. The decrease occurred in meats and fuel, mainly the latter.
 The only development of note in the iron and steel market has been the ten Ter cent reduction in price of tin plates, to take effect December 1. While some change was anticipated, the trade was not prepared for so large cut. If the recent lowering of price lists in certain sections of the market should stimulate foreign trade, there will be occasion for gratification as some exceptional export movement is needed to offset the heavy imports of pig iron and billets.
 Many furnaces have been compelled to bank because of the poor receipts Of coke. and there is little evidence of inl- provement in the railway situation, mo- tive power being utterly inadequate, Contracts run far into the future in structural material for bridges and buildings, while plates are sought by car works and ship yards High prem iums are still paid for prompt delivery, but most shipments are on old contracts, placed at regular list prices. Recent en- l iargement of facilities has greatly in | creased production in many lines, which l explains the slight, easier tone Of the market as a whole but there is no evil dence of diminished demand nor unsound conditions.
 Taking of inventories interrupts work at New England shoe snops, and win probably occupy much of this month, so that cutting will not begin on the large contracts already placed for delivery during the first quarter of next year. Shipments continue heavy from Boston, each week of late recording moderate | increase over the corresponding period | last year. The tone is remarkably strong. 1 Jobbing trade is comparatively quiet, ex- | cept in Pennsylvania, and mild weather l has restricted retail sales. Some decline | in the raw material did not produce any | lower offering prices for cotton goods, although it made buyers all the more
 anxious to delay placing contracts. As a
 result the movement is. only for im- | mediate requirements, but supplies of | staple cottons are not burdensome and | there are complaints that old orders are
 not being filled according to contract.
 Export orders are limited. Business in
 woolens is light and the chief inquiry
 being for sample pieces, which are not l delivered as rapidly as desired.
 Quotations are fully maintained foa
 woolens and worsteds, as might be ex-
 pected in view of the continued strength
 of wool. Failures not noted.
 RRADSTREET,c PEvtEM