The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-08

most markets exceeding last year. Spring sales are of good volume indicating con fidence and enormous shipments of all classes of merchandise have congested the railroads already fully occupied in trying to ship supplies of fuel to con- sumers and grain crops to market Warm weather early in the week retarded re- tail trade and slightly affected some collections, but colder weather west later stimulated demand for heavy goods, and gives promise of bettering final destri- button. The mild, open fall season has, however been valuable to the farmer enabling farming preparations and insur- ing satisfactory beginning to the wheat crop, besides allowing the late cotton to mature and facilitating outdoor work such as building to progress rapidly. Collections, as rule, are tolerably good, and the exceptions are coming around from the recalcitrant class. Failures are fewer than last year and the liabilities for October were less than in all but one of the past ten years Prices show great steadiness, those increasing, or re- maining unchanged, far outnumbering those declining. With increasing move ment some weakness in the cereals and cotton is noticeable, but this is con strued favorably because being likely to encourage export business, which, how ever compares quite favorably with the last fiscal year, despite prevailing high prices. The labor situation is quiet and a favorable influence for continued peace is the disposition on the part of railroads to grant wage advances.
 A feature of trade Is the immense vol ume of merchandise moving to western consumers. Railroads report cars and locomotives alike scarce New buying for spring account is of good volume and holiday trade is increasing. At the south warmer weather has allowed of the continued maturing and close picking of the crop and the estimates of the final yield tend upward. Eastern markets re- port increased demand from the coal sec tions offsetting less active wholesale de- mand from other sections Retail trade is improving and heavy business is looked forward to.
 Hog products are firm in sympathy with lard, which is practically cornered.
 Cotton goods remain quite active and strong despite the shading in raw cotton.
 The woolen goods trade Is improving. Raw wool is very firm and supplies are closely held
 Iron and steel show little change. There is a possibility that the Hull in the de- mand for iron noted of late has been misunderstood. With the immense output for next year already booked, steadiness in the crude forms seems absolutely cer- IdlIt put the QueSIlOn W0eltbT pTeSeIl prices for finished material will curtail consumption is yet to be settled. The fuel situation is conceded to have an im- portant bearing. Coke is very scarce and fully a score of eastern furnaces are banked. Independent producers are get ting from Soc to $1 per ton more than the quotations set by the leading pro- ducers. There is a waiting stendency in the import trade and new business Is not large. Steel railmakers are still busy and an immense tonnage will have to be car ried over into next year. Car builders are purchasing large quantities of plates for next year. The reduction in the prices of tin plates was rather larger than ex- pected. Some other products are weak.
 Small dealers in lumber are less active, but wholesalers report manufacturers still behind on orders. A new war has broken out in the sugar trade, the Paci- fic coast beet product contesting eastern markets with that of cane. Raw sugar is firmly held on, expected worlds crops being shorter, but the refined is weak CT, partly owing to the war talk and part ly because the canning season is about over. Complaint that there is no profit in the leather business still continues. Hides seem to be the keynote of the sit uation and as they remain firm, they give tone to the entire market.
 Business failures In the United States for the week ending Thursday, November 6, number 14S as against 194 last week. 191 in this week last year, 161 in 190, 1S2 in 1899 and 187 in 1898. w
 Wheat including flour, exports for the week, ending November 6, aggregate B. 715, 555 bushels, against 5997, 62O last week, 5469.6+5 in this week iast year and 3,55,507 in 1900.
 Wheat exports since July aggregate 97,144,492 bushels against 112, ,5S4 last season and 97, ,403, 01 in 1900.