The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-05
IRON SILL UNCERTAIN
Distinctly Firm Tone in Textile
Products.
COTTON IS BNG HELD FIRM
Reports Show Small Stock of Old Cotton and
Decrease in Acreage For Ntxt Season
tert ger Sales Small Back
ward Season.
(By the Associated Press

New York, April 4.-R G. Dun &
Company's weekly Review tomorrow will
say:
Labor controversies continue to be
the only seriously disturbing events in
the industrial world, and while many dis
agreements have been promptly settled.
others have appeared to interrupt pro-
duction and make manufacturers conser-
yative about new undertakings Retail
distribution of spring wearing apparel
received check from the more inclem-
ent weather in many localities, yet, mer-
chandise of most staple lines is pur-
chased freely and collections are salts
factory at nearly all points except in the
South.
Supplies of iron and steel do not
seem in any immediate danger of over
taking demand. In fact the prospect
of labor disturbances on May 1st makes,
the situation still more uncertain and
those who hoped for equilibrium in the
market oy July 1st are less sanguine
Midsummer seems to be the dividing line
as to quotations, prices after July LIST
averaging about 81 per ton less than
earlier deliveries while those few forglI-
nate sellers of spot material continue to
secure large premiums. Pittsburg pig
iron is definitely higher and large con-
tracts are still under negotiation be-
tween the Bessemer producers and the
leading consumer. Coke continues to
move little moro freely, yet prices are
fully sustained.
I'm the markets for textile products
there is a distinctly firm tone Labor
typoYr JO- l.,
cotton are both factors of strength while
mills have orders that will occupy their
full capacity for some time. Export in
quiry for sheetings and drills has in
creased, but makers insist on higher
prices than are offered in many cases. 1t
is between seasons for woolen goods and
there is the usual quiet, except where
buyers are anxiously looking for goods
to replace deliveries interrupted by the
stock at Olneyville and vicinity. No i'm
provemeDt is recorded in conditions at
footwear shops in New England, where
only the larger manufacturers are able
to keep going. Prices of shoes are un-
changed, although buyers are holding
back for better terms
Widely divergent views as to the crop
outlook resulted in dull market for the
cereals and only small changes in prices.
ct is not surprising that cotton is so
firmly held in view of the dispatches from
correspondents of r. G. Dun and Com
pany in the South. These reports indi-
cafe small stocks of old cotton and
decrease of acreage for the next crop,
with smaller sales of fertilizers and
backward season.
The course Of commodity prices during
the month of March indicates a season
able tendency downward. Dun's index
number giving the aggregate of quota
tions proportional to consumption was
$99, ,222 on April 1st against $101,593
month previous. This decline of 2.9 per
cent was mainly due to the higher tenn
perature which accelerated the output of
garden and dairy products.
Failures in the United States this
week, 167 against 1876 last year and p
III Canada against 20 last year.
Total Net Receipts
New York, April 4.-The following are
the total net receipts of cotton at all
ports since September 1st, 1901
Galveston. 1,911 ,684 bales; New Orleans,
2.O41, $50; Mobile, 149, $40; Savannah,
9,O52, SAB; Charleston, 258574; Whining
ton. 267,371 Norfolk. AL, ,6O7 Baltimore.
II ,949; New York 1901 Boston, 114,31O:
Newport News, 20,26O Philadelphia,
26, ,483; Vancouver, 1854; Brunswick, Ill.,
S1S; Fernandna. 1880 Pensacola. 161.-
913; Port Arthur, 1896; Port Townsend.
1OO,947; San Francisco, 21,035; Portland,
Oregon, 1920; Ell Paso. 1900; Eagle Pass.
1,75O Laredo 5392. Total, 6,957 sos
bales.
Psnk Clearings.