The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-27
WEEKLY TRADEREVIEW
SUMMARY OF SITUATION BY
 DUN AND BRADSTREET.
Despite Disarranged Money Market, Damage to Crops, and Almost
 6 Fuel Famine, Pessimism i is Not in Order.

New York. Sept. 2s-R. c. Dun and Company's weekly review of trade to- morrow will say:
 Notwithstanding the disarranged money market, almost a fuel famine and some damage to crops industrial and commer- cial activity continues unabated and the magnitude of plans for the future indi- cates that the confidence has not been shaken. Scarcity of funds has thus far caused no hardship except to spectators !, and the stringency will remedy itself by contracting loans on stock exchange col lateral together with such aid as may be offered by the treasury, which is partly responsible for the absorption of funds. Injury to crops by frost has no more than offset the increased acreage, while high prices fully compensate producers. It is not time for pessimism. although securities have declined sharply.
 Railway earnings for September thus far exceed last years by 6S and those of 1900 by 16.5 per cent. Pressure in the iron and steel industry has been somewhat alleviated by larger receipts of coke and liberal imports of pig iron. yet the out able features. No fuel famine exists. al- though the furnaces are consuming re- ceipts of coke as they arrive and it is impossible to provide for more than i'm mediate needs Some idle plants have resumed and now operate from day to day with the constant menace of an in- terrupted movement of fuel. which would suspend operations. At the West this
  $10 ton or more. while in exceptional eases SIS has been paid.
 Owing to the numerous influences now ln evidence there is less disposition to place large contracts for distant delivery of pig iron and sales are chiefly of small lots. Foreign iron is freely received and other consignments are Under consider ation More steel rail orders have been placed abroad. Needs for structural shapes are increasing, much work being held back by slow shipments and orders are reported for delivery nearly two years hence. In an effort to provide ad- equate transportation facilities the rail- ways are purchasing literally of rolling stock and other equipment. and great Improvements in terminal methods are planned.
 A further slight advance in footwear uuotations indicates that the healthy de- lnand has made it possible for manufac- turers to secure compensation for the re- cent sharp rise in materials. Country hides show the principal declines of the week.
 Although cotton goods are firmly held the market is quiet as buyers are con- tent to take only such quantities as are needed for immediate distribution. The situation is not satisfactory for producers owing to the high price of raw mate SiaIs. but the attitude of purchasers of goods indicates that they do not consider the present position of raw cotton one that can be sustained.
 It is too early for supplementary orders in mems woolens and worsteds. yet the tone of all staple lines is firm. No con- sessions are possible in the wool mar ket which has increased in activity at khe East.
 The decline in meats has received a check and sugar is firmly held with re liners behind in delivery.
 Failures for the week numbered 307 in Rhe United States against 227 last year and g. in Canada against a year ago.