The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-27
eRADsT7EET's REVIEW.

New York, September 26.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say:
Large yields of nearly all crops have
been secured jobbing trade activity is
undated, manufacturing industry in
nearly all lines is running at full speed,
retail demand is improving; railway and
water transportation interests are push
ed to handle business offered and the
only unfavorable feature In the situation
is the growing tension exerted by the an
thracite coal strike which now finds cold
weather almost here and industries in
many lines threatened with interference
caused by the enhanced price of btumi-
nous product. Collections in majority
of instances remain good, most OF the
exceptions being noted at the south,
where the feeling, owing to the reported
shortages in yield of cotton is tride
less optimistic
Western jobbing trade reports are al
most surprisingly good.
At the south heavy rains during the
cotton picking season has been an un-
favorable feature so far as affecting the
gathering of the crop already opened is
concerned. but beneficial to the late crops
in Indian Territory, Texas and Florida
and in fact wherever they have fallen
At the east business is reported good
in nearly all branches of the New York
dry goods trade and the outlook is very
encouraging. The strength Of cotton
goods, based largely on tho position of
the raw material is notable. Wooden
goods are in an excellent position In
womens wear fancy fabrics are in es-
pecial favor. Eastern shoe manufacture
ers note a fair volume of orders, enough
to keep leather firm, though some sales
have been made below recent prices.
Tight money is credited with some eff
feet in checking the upward march of
leather, owing to the small margin OF
profit in business generally.
Among the industrials the feature of
interest is still the enormous demand.
greatly in excess of the supply for iron
and steel in its cruder forms. The scar
city of coke is as marked as ever and
number of furnaces are now Shut down
with ensuing great loss 20 operators
who are unable to take advantage of the
present enormous demand Buying OF
foreign iron and steel is liberal despite
advices from the central west hat con-
sumers find difficulty in utilizing some
of that already imported. Bessemer pig
and steel billet sales are rather larger
at Pittsburg than for some time past.
Sales for future delivery are readily
made at from s2l.50 to s22 and for steel
billets at $31 to S32. There is still a
marked scarcity of steel plates and a
premium of IS per ton is noted for QUICK
delivery. Structural steel products are
crowded with orders and the unprece-
dented announcement is made that some
orders for bridge material have been
secured for delivery in 1904 Some finish
ed products are much weaker. tin plates
being cut and wire and nails shaded
Some large orders for rails In this coun-
try and Canada have been placed with
German and English manufacturers be-
cause of the inability of American mills
to accept the business. Foreign coal
iron and steel have advanced as the re-
suit of American demand or inquiry but
the feeling grows that with better coke
supplies the foreign product will find it
less easier to enter into competition with
American iron and steel. Harware con-
tinues in undated activity. Among the