The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-02
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
But There Is a Good Trade Showing
for the Week Despite
This. hsa1
New York, May 2.-Bradstreet' Of to-day

New York. May 2.-Bradstreet's Of to-day
says: y.
Weather conditions and labor disturbances,
actual or threatened, have been temporarily un-
settling elements in the trade and industrial
situation this week, but great basic elements,
such as general business and crop conditions, re-
main largely favorable. Cold weather and snow
in the west have checked farm work, interfered
with retail distribution and retarded recorders.
The exact opposite. however. is noted at the
east, where the weather has been spring-like and
much needed stimulus to retail distribution
has thus been given Wholesale trade is sea-
sonably quiet, though some sharp contrasts are
being shown in different branches of the same
trade. The pig iron market is generally quite
dull. with prices weakening, but steel and fin
ished products generally are eagerly sought and
very firm.
ton goods employees still continues, while the
abnormal condition of prices checks large opera
tions Raw material Is lower, largely in sym
pathy with the quieter tone OF business for mems
wear goods for fall delivery. Considerable ma
chinery is reported idle in this branch. The
outward movement OF corn is increasing, but
exports of -four this week are smaller than last
week and this week year ago.
All the usual measures of trade volume testify
to the generally satisfactory conditions ruling:
Gross railway earnings for the first three weeks
OF April promise to exceed those of year ago
by IA per cent. and the net returns SO far re.
ceived for March extremely favorable.
Pig iron has been dull at most markets ex.
cept Pittsburg. where quite heavy movement
a
price concessions, Bessemer pig iron being quoted
5Oc lower than week ago. Foundry pig iron
at the west is reported dull and rather weak in
tone, and the same Is true of southern iron
When steel and the finished products Of iron are
considered, however, a notable difference is
found. Steel billets are apparently as scarce as
ever. and structural material, plates, sheet bars
and rails are in active request at firm prices
The fact is that finished products were not ad
vanced relatively as much as the cruder forms
and the necessity Of downward price reyisions is
less manifest. Some other metals are weaker
lead being marked down 30 cents per 100 pounds
and copper is also lower, both at home and
abroad, but silver has reached the highest price
in two years, owing to the recent purchases
of currency reform in Mexico.
Labor disturbances particularly in the build
ing trades, have been unsettling features in the
lumber trade this week, but the volume of bust
ness in this line shows no shrinkage Lake navi
cation Is in full swing and the lumber movement
is very heavy one. Shoe manufacturing is al
active industry at present.
Wheat, including -four. exports for the weeh
ending April 80 aggregate 3,41s,2 $50 gbu, against
8 $685. CAB bu (corrected) last week, 1901 ,4S3 br
this week last year, and 5, 100,T62 bu In 1901
Wheat exports since July aggregate 1SS 3O1, 4S.
bu against 215, 1854 ,4SS bu last season and 17Gs
761,101 blu in 1900. & Corn exports aggregat,
2,210,55 bu, against / 906 last week 12S,
$40 blu year ago, and 2.371, S92 bu in 1901
against 25,52S 600 blu last season and 1885, 63S 49,
bu in 1901. s.. . 4s IS
Business failures in the United States for th,
week ending with April 80 number 17S, agains
152 last week, ia in the like week Of 1902
1853 in 100, 1913 in 1900 and 1874 in 1890. Ii
Canada for the week, IL, as against Is last weel
and Y in this week year ago.
1