The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-05-31
DRADsTREETs REPORTS DEVELOP
lRENTS OF THE WEEK
FAVORABLE.
ALL INDUSTRIES ARE ACTIVE
INQUIRY FOR PIG IRON FOR NEXT
YEAR ALREADY BEING MADE.
Strike Has Had Some Effect on Fur
naces But the Mills Are Still
Crowded with Orders.

NEW YORK, May 29.-Bradstreet' 5
tomorrow will say: The weeks de-
velopments have been largely favor
able. Crop conditions, particularly
those Of the spring sown cereals and
cotton, have shown further improve
ment. The labor situation, particular
~ that In the coal trade has likewise,
measurably improved advices toward
the end Of the week pointing to the
anthracite strike ending before the
position as to supplies becomes critical.
Cool weather, 1t is true, has retarded
retail demand and measurably checked
recorder business with jobbers, and
heavy frosts have done damage to
vegetables on the northern edge of the
country, but this is regarded as only
a temporary halt and the general vol
ume Of business has been helped by
the large amount booked for next aut-
umn's delivery.
Among the Industries general activity
still rules, with iron and steel, hard
ware, lumber, the building trades and
bituminous coal displaying exceptional
activity. Failures continue we'll down
to the minimum and bank clearings
arc OC6 ~ CO1lpdIC OS(IOA VAIN
a year ago. Railroad earnings hold all
the former advantages shown over pre-
ceding years. Gross railway earnings
week of May point to near 9 per cent
increase over year ago.
Large Fruit Crop Indicated.
Large fruit crops are indicated this
year and the same is true of vegetables,
but the latter are backward on cold
weather. High prices for tobacco tndi-
cate that a heavy acreage will be
planted. Early predictions of a de-
crease in cotton area are being whit
tied down, and present prices certainly
favor as large, if not a larger area
than a year ago.
Boot and shoe leather trade are ir-
regular. Eastern manufacturers are
only moderately active and shipments
are respectively 10 per cent and s per
cent smaller than a year ago for the
week and season. At the west, how
ever, a good business is noted at most
centers.
Iron and steel are quieter as regards
new business in finished products, but
there are reports Of large transactions
pending In the cruder forms. The
leading interest has bought consider
able southern pig iron at price, de-
livered at Pittsburg. close to $1s a ton.
Inquiry for pig iron for next year Is
noted. Outside steel works are re-
ported being liberal buyers OF foreign
iron.
Strike Has Effect on Furnaces.
Implement manufacturers are report
ed ordering literally of bars for next
year. The anthracite strike has at
fected furnaces using that fuel in con-
junction with coke, but the effect on
the general pig iron supply has not
been considerable. In finished pro-
ducts new business is generally small,
but the mills are still crowded with
orders
Wheat, including flour exports for
five days aggregate 3,900,645 bushels,
against 5.184.839 last week, six days and
4,139,970 in this week last year. Wheat
exports July l, 1901 to date (forty-eight
weeks) aggregate 3,425,OSO bushels.
against 192,s12,721 last season.
Corn exports aggregate 71,48S against
$4,000 last week and 2,042.043 last year.
Business failures for the week are 1853,
as against 152 last week, IA in this
week last year, 1875 in 1900 1923 in 1899,
and 178 in 1898.
Failures in Canada for the week num-
Der 18, as against II last week and n
a year ago.