The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-07
TRADE IS VIGOROUS DESPITE HANDICAP
Dun and Bradstreet See a Very
 Bright Outlook
SOME TROUBLE ABOUT CARS
As the Season Advances There Is Notable Activity in Building Trades,
 With Customary Demands for
 Materials-lndustrials Unchanged

New York, February CIR. c. Dun &
 Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 Vigorous vitality is conspicuous in trade, and industry, despite the handicap of overstrained and lamentably made quate facilities for transportation. Con centrated efforts to reduce the conges- ton at few favored points apparently intensified the blockades elsewhere, and indictment weather added a new disturb ing factor to an already complicated sit- uation. Every possible method is being adopted to improve conditions, enormous sums are appropriated for extensions yet accidents are frequent. Transatlantic vessels failed to leave on schedule time, and many manufacturing plants are closed in part or wholly. Labor disputes are more numerous, although not prevail ent to any extent in the leading indus tries. As the season advances there is notable activity in building trades with the customary acceeration of inquiry for materials. Retail dealing in most staples are fully sustained, especially of season. able wearing apparel, but distribution at many points has suffered through weather clouds. Wholesale and jobbing trade is steadily improving, although deliveries cannot be guaranteed. Foreign commerce is keeping pace with domestic trade Rail- road earnings during January were S.1 per cent larger than last year and 177 per cent in excess of 1901. It would have oc- casioned no surprise had the cost of liv- ing materially advanced during the mid winter month. In addition 10 the season. able influence of low temperature and consequent restriction of production in some lines, there were numerous factors in evidence calculated to aggrayate the situation.
 In the face of inhating clements the consumer was peculiarly fortunate, as shown by Dun's index number of prices, proportioned to consumption, which was $l0O,92O on February 1, against $100, 356 month previous an advance of only one half of per cent. Cotton Is strong, liberal exports and domestic competition more than neutralizing the depressing influence Of heavy port receipts Coffee aroused from its lethargy and advanced a small traction, because the worlds stocks de- creased much more than anticipated
 Conditions in the iron and steel indus try are without essential alterations Far from catching up with it's orders the leading producer now reports over five and half million tons of contracts on hand, and similar statements on a some what smaller scale are made by other concerns Traffic difficulties increased | deliveries of fuel and pig iron are unccr- tain and at Chicago coke is nominally l $l0 ton, while Connellsville ovens pro- duce freely, but Pittsburg supplies are 1 inadequate A very large quantity is en
 route and there is growing confidence in
 the trade that the worst congestion Is
 over for this season. Purchasers in some T fxrfef rIro at el,o
 clination to postpone placing contracts l In expectation of better terms, but the general level of quotations does not re- cede
 Numerous contracts are taken abroad because domestic plants cannot make the shipments within the specified time and as result of the excessive activity here there has been a decided improvement in the foreign industry. This has initiated against imports, yet exports are firmer in European markets, and engagements continue on a moderate scale Plans for railway extension assure much new Dusl- ness while carriage and implement max CTS are constantly in the market Tor metal Little new business has been placed with the shoe factories although there Is sufficient work on hand to as sure activity until late in March. Dis | tinct improvement is noted in domestic buying of cotton, even at the highest prices buyers found difficulty In securing print cloths In woolen goods there Is steady absorption with no speculative ac- i tivity. Staple lines of dress goods are firm and moving brisky. Large cons umption of raw material by the milis l holds wool steady at the recent advance. | despite a somewhat weaker. closing at | the London auction sale.
 Failures in the United States, 264 this week against 263 last week. 265 the pre- ceding week, and 261 the corresponding week last year, and in Canada 32 against 20 last week, 27 the preceding week ana 25 last year.