Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-30
Labor Troubles Still Most Dis.
turbing Factors In the In
dustrial Situation
BRADsTREET's WEEKLY REVIEW
There Is too Much Rain for Western
Crops, Particularly Corn, While in
the East, Considerable Losses Have
Occurred in Minor Farm Products,
Owing to Droushts-Export Trade.

| New York, May S0.-R. G. Dun
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade toda,
says:
| Weather conditions have improved
particularly as regards the great sta.
pies, altho considerable losses have oc.
Cured in garden truck and other minor
farm products at the east owing te
drought. Labor controversies are still
the most disturbing factors in the sit
uation. and it is difficult to anticipate
| how far distribution of merchandise
will be affected.
Structural material of all kinds is
moving slowly, because of strikes in the
building trades, which are now exer-
cising more widespread influence than
other disagreements. At the east the
trade situation is satisfactory as a
rule
Railway earnings thus far reported
for May We're 12.S per cent larger than
last year. and surpassed those OF 1901
by ESQ per cent.
After many weeks of discussion the
expected transaction in pig iron was
completed, involving heavier tonnage
than was generally anticipated and
showing but n small decline in price.
Considering the improved conditions as
TO fuel and transportation, the magni-
tude of the contract and the ample
time in which TO make deliveries, 1898
at Pittsburg was by no means low
price. Some decline was to be expected
and only by readjustment of quota
activity Tor which enlarged facilities
provide.
Demands for steel rails have again
become urgent, particularly from troll
ley roads, and the rail mills that have
been making billets viii resume their
regular business next week. AS prac-
ticaily all this years output has been
sold, the question of quotations in 1904
is under consideration. Structural steel
Is still adversely affected by labor dis
agreements in the building trades, but
in the iron and steel industry there
have been numerous settlements and
few serious conflicts are in progress.
Under the new tinplate scale an in
creased output is provided and the
mills are fully occupied with large or
ders on hand. Nevertheless, tin de-
clined thru liquidation at London.
Nominaliy, the. average Of quotations
for cotton goods is higher than a week
ago. but actually the situation is
altered.
An artificial situation exists as to
cotton goods that is complicated by
labor controversies and the weather
The very slight Improvement in mems
wear woolens and worsteds is not con-
sistent with reports OF good business
n fab clothing.
New England footwear factories are
ousy on fall contracts, but few sup
orders have been received |
Leather sells freely, hemlock sole be-
ng in great demand for western foot
wear manufacturers. Domestic hides
again average higher. with notable |
strength in Colorado hides. Supplies |
If winter and early spring saltings !
IRE abundant, but there is no surplus |
If better qualities now coming forward |
increased receipts of foreign dry hides /
AVE not depressed prices.
Failures this week numbered 2o6 in /
he United States, against 1914 last year
md in Canada, compared with 20 a I
ear ago.