The age-herald., 1902-02-22
DUN's REVIEW.

New York, February 21.-R. G. Dun x l Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 | Along the Atlantic coast business was | temporarily checked by the bad weather and some interior points also suffered from unfavorable weather, yet consump- tive demands give no evidence of abate- ment. Prices of perishable goods ad- vanced sharply the whole range of sta- pie commodities tending upward.
 The jobbing trade in spring lines of wearing apparel is of ample proportions and all heavy hardware and products of iron feel the pressure in that industry. Prospects are most encouraging as to the labor situation. Railway earnings thus far reported for February show a de- crease of but 3.5 per cent from last year figures, which is fully explained by weather conditions while compared with 1900 is an increase of 9.S per cent. Bank exchanges for the week at leading cities outside of New York show a gain of l5 5 per cent over last year, while the loss at New York is but 5.9 per cent from the to- tai in 1901. which is more than &C., counted for by a decreased activity in the stock market.
 While by no means inflated beyond the point fully warranted by urgent pur- chasers, prices of pig iron have made de- cided advances despite the opposition of leading interests. More imports are re- ported. but foreign markets are also ad- vancing, now that there is less prospect of American competition because of the unprecedented home demand. Railway supplies and structural material are still the most eagerly sought of finished steel products. Record-breaking building per mits indicate the business that will be done by structural mills.
 The presence of numerous buyers In the Boston footwear market has not yet pro- duced the desired volume of business There seems to be almost deadlock ow- ing to the indisposition of manufacturers to make desired concessions and the un- willingness of purchasers to offer full list prices.
 The hide market Is weak and dull, with the quality of Chicago receipts deterior- ating. Following the advance in print cloth hs to 314c, there has been an equiva- lent gain in many divisions of the cotton goods market
 Exporters are bidding for China, all though holders now refuse to accept busi- ness at the terms they offered early in the month. Woolen and worsted fabrics for fall have received less attention. but sales are still fully up to the average. Farm staples are remarkably well maintained at, the recent advance in quo- tations Cotton added a small fraction to its price and ruled quiet during the week at the highest position of a crop year. | Stock market operations were only of | fair size and price changes small until 1 Thursday, when a severe break occurred on the announcement that the attorney general would proceed against the North ern Securities Company. Much time must now intervene before the legal status of | the concern Is decided.
 | Liabilities of commercial failures thus | far report ed for February aggregated $6.- 697Ss1, of which $S. 404,627 were in manu- | featuring, s2.S92.142 in trading and $4O1,- | 112 in other commercial lines.
 Failures for the week number 25O in | the United States against 253 last year and 31 In Canada against g last year.