The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-12
OUTLOOK FOR TRADE is BRIGHT
BRADSTREETS HOLDS THAT THE
CHECK ON DISTRIBUTION BUsI-
NESS IS ONLY TEMPORARY
CORN ACREAGE IS LARGE
Despite Lowering of General Aver
age of Winter Wheat Prospects
Are That Crop Will Be as
Large as Last Year.

NEW YORK, April I.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: While cross currents
in trade and industry make it difficult to
characterize the general trade situation
the country over, appearances would in
dicato that the check given distributive
trade by rcactionary weather, crop uncer-
tainties and additional friction in indus
trial circles is Of a transitory character.
Bank clearings all things considered,
are of large volume, railroad earnings re-
ports to Bradstreet's point to continued
increases over the same period a year
ago, and especial activity is noted in lead
ing manufacturing lines, principally iron
and Steel lumber cotton goods, coal min
ing, machinery making and a host of les
ser industries.
Jobbing distribution at the Central West
and at leading Eastern centers notes a
further quoting down, but in the spring
wheat sections reports are of undminish
ed activity. ASOuthwestern trade reports
continue Of a cheerful nature. At in
dustrial centers in the South iron, coal
and coke production is active, and while
the backward weather conditions are
credited with limiting demand in agricul-
tural sections, the strength of cotton
prices leads to a more hopeful feeling
there, not entirely warranting the pre-
dictions Of a reduced acreage in that
staple crop.
Large Corn Acreage Expected.
Despite the lowering in the general
average of wheat as a result of the dry
weather Of last fall and the early winter,
indicated by the government report. win
ter wheat crop prospects are still for a
crop in excess of 400,000,0OO bushels. and
ahOnt pOnaI in 70
output last year. A large acreage is in
d1cated in oats, and that crop seems to
be progressing well. AS to the corn crop
little doubt exists that a large area will
be planted.
Cotton has continued to lead the staples
in the matter of bullish feeling. Cotton
goods have strengthened in tone. partly
On the raise i'll the raw product and part
ly on the realization of the fact that
increased wages for 1900 EMPLOYEES in
Volve higher prices for the finished prod
uct. Wool has tended to weaken owing
to the spread of the strike of weavers to
other mills of the leading interest Out
side manufacturers are said to be profit
ing by the interruption of the leading
companies deliveries. Aside from the
changes noted, staple prices manifest con-
tinued steadiness.
Coffee is slightly weaker owing to the
pressure of the enormous visible supply
the worlds stocks being nearly 900
bags, or so per cent larger than a wear
ago. Raw sugar has weakened on the
anticipation of legislation in the matter
of Cuba, and record low prices have been
touched again. The same is also true OF
silver prices.
Iron and Steel Active.
Along the industries iron and steel are
sun eXemplars of activity. Prices of
Bessemer pig iron have moved upward
this week on the announcement that very
large sales for delivery between October
l902 and April, 1903, aggregating $4,000
tons, have been closed. Foundry and
Jorge f IRON are also firmer. Despite
further increase in output available
stocks have been further reduced. Prac-
ideally all the merchant furnaces are
booked with orders for the balance Of the
year, while in finished products no prom
1SeS will be made for deliveries inside of
three to four months. Finished products
note few changes in price, but no dimin-
ution of activity of demand. In rails no
orders will be accepted for delivery dur
ing the balance of the year. Large ord
erS for spikes have been refused Large
sales of iron ore are shortly looked for
at Cleveland.
per, hardware, and the multitude IF otbn
lshed activity.
NO special activity is noted in boo+s
sliu snoes, Eastern shipments, in fact.
CunCnl4lng 10 fall behind a year ago. The
seneraI appearance of the leather trsde
is one of quiet. = AUG
. Cereal prices moved within narrow linn
IT'S early, pending the publication of the
government report, some strength heinz
impaired by reports of better export DE
nand and cold weather interfering with
the growing crop, but this strength dis
appeared later and the report itsalf
though claimed to be a surprise. exercis,,
Ell little effect, the net changes for tba
week being slight.
Wheat Exports Grow Smaller.
Hog products strengthened slightly ON
Ine small run of hogs and also on IN
creased demand by packers
wheat, including flour, EXPORTS for the
week week aggregate 3,S42012 bu, against 4 44s
w last week. and Sac, sol in this week
t "a 5 year: Wheat exports. July 1, 1901,
70 cate forty-one weeks aggregate 202
vi $40 blu, against 161, OPT rs last season
1orl exports aggregate 156, 5S5 bu. against
$Su;o5l last week, and 2623 1854 last wear
Jniy l. 1901, to date, corn exports are "a
ozo,z6S bu, against us, ,762 bu last sea
BUSINESS failures in the United Statae
for the week number 1872, as against III
last Week. 225 in this week last wear 151
n l9te.- 245 in 1899. and 215 in 1898 Tn
canada for the week 26. as against Is