The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-02
RRApsT7EET,s REVIEW.

New York, August 1.-Bradstreets will say tomorrow:
 Trade Is quiet, while attention is con centrated on crop and industrial develop ments. Generally lower prices for farm products points to the former being large ly favorable. Though weather condi- tions of late have been more favorable, effects of earlier backward weather have not been effected or repaired The best is predicted for the fall and winter out look. In industrial affairs the outlook is satisfactory. The iron and steel sit uation is still largely strong one, but isolated examples of weakness are in sight. The railway situation is one of the best in years and the outlook as to ton mage Is fiattering one, marred only by the prospect of car shortage later on re- ducing or curtailing industrial opera tions. Fiscal year earnings returns are exceptionally good and 1t is probable that taken as a whole the railway earnings for the half year will exceed 1901 despite r, ducted anthracite coal carriers earn ings
 Cotton has weakened quite steadily on reports of good growing crop conditions though rain and flood damage reports from Texas helped steady prices on some days. Dry goods trade reports are quiet Some improvement is noted at eastern markets, but the fall jobbing trade proves to be later than usual in arriving Some weakness In sheetings and other cottons is noted In wholesale circles. Spring styles in woolens opened this week are, as predicted, shown at advances on last season.
 Wool, though quiet, is steady and higher grades are held several cents per pound higher than last year New busi- ness in shoes at Boston Is confined large ly to sample lots. Shipments, after a temporary squirt, are again shrinking Leather Is in better demand, but tanners complain of high cost of hides while shoe manufacturers note high cost of leather and low cost of their finished products.
 New business in pig iron for 1903 Is still of good volume, but not so active as ear Tier. Current deliveries are still delayed or insufficient. though helped out by freer importations of foreign iron. The production of the fiscal year ending June 30 was in excess of 100000 tons, the output in the first half of 1902 exceeding all records. If the reduction in stocks and the increased imports are considered, con sumption of 300 GOO tons in excess of this is shown to have occurred, and the esti- mated output of 1S,000,00O tons for the calendar year is seen to be practically needed. Fully one-half of the steel rail output for 1903 is already booked. and structural mills are also heavily sold ahead. Tin plate mills are however, not busy, sheets are quiet and wire is dull. Hardware is active, especially for build- ing. The 1901 record of building will be surpassed this year. Lumber IS stronger and higher at the west, and IS recover ing from summer dullness at the east Receipts and shipments are far ahead of last year at all points.
 Wheat. including flour, exports for the week ending July 31, aggregate 4,3SS, ,534 bushels against 3.s9O, 969 last week and G. ,391 In this week last year. Wheat exports since July 1 aggregate IS, 15S, $40 bushels against 26,201. .031 last season.
 Corn exports aggregate 2s,4O5 bushels against 79,611 last week and 563 GOA last year. For the fiscal year corn exports are 4s7 ,s1O against 7,727 647 last season
 Business failures for the week ending July 3l numbered 16S as against 178- last week, 16O in this week last year. 173 in 1900, 156 in 1899 and 1S9 in 1898.