The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-25
TRADE OUTLOOK ]
Despite Some Drawbacks There Is
a Very Favorable
Showing,

New York, April 25.-Bradstreet's report of
to-day says: III 50 S54 49, y
Trade and industry progress well despite draw
backs in the shape Of numerous labor troubles
and cool, backward weather conditions IN some
sections. Retail trade as whole is fair. Col
lections continue slow, but steadily improve.
Manufacturing industry was never so active ex-
cept, perhaps in the textile trades, where a few
labor troubles limit the cotton goods production,
but in iron and steel lumber, shoe manufacturing
and mutiture OF other lines, production is close
to the maximum. Railroad earnings continue
large The shutdown OF northwestern hour
mills proved to be only temporary and the point
sought, lower rates for the product, has evil
IDENTIFY been gained, judging from the increased,
OutgO from nearby shipping centers.
With the natural lull i'll wholesale trade has
come some discussion as to the fall trade pros
poets in this branch of business, but it is worth
noting that a fair volume Of orders for fall de-
livery has already been booked, and the only
backwardness noted is in heavy-Weight WoOlens.
The line of demarkation between crude and
finished forms of iron and steel has become more
distinct this week. Pig iron has unquestionably
eased in price, and buyers are backward, evil
IDENTIFY hoping for further concessions, while the
latter part of the years requirements are re-
ported still unplaced Against the softening
in pig iron however, is to be noted the strength
of steel and finished products in nearly all lines.
Steel billets and sheets are very scarce. Much
new work has been postponed because of inability
| to get supplies Some rail mills are reported
| changing over to turn out billets. Foreign
steel is active at eastern markets, while i'm
ported iron is in slack demand. The demand
for structural materials is reported undiminished
| despite the uneasness in labor circles. The
volume Of new work offered and projected is
heavy, and this, with the demand from other
sources, renders some authorities dubious as to
whether the weakness in pig iron will spread to
! the finished forms. - >sE.t"
The effect of the present high prices of cotton
| on the manufacturing branch is not entirely
| favorable Buyers of cotton goods holding
| back and are very slow to commit themselves
| Raw wool, while dull is rather firmer in tone,
| an dadvices from primary markets that
| the new clip will be held at 1@2c pound above
| last seasons opening quotations. Dress woolens
| are in good sale, but mems wear heavy weight
| goods are rather backward. Grocery markets
| have been active this week, the leader therein
| being sugar, which continues it's advance from
the low point reached some weeks ago. The
| advance of the season has weakened prices Of
butter, and lard, among hog products, Is lower
on increased stocks. The great majority of
| staples however shows striking steadness.
Wheat including flour, exports for the week
ending April %, aggregate 3,SSS, 542 bu, against
2,977,777 bu last week, $3.50, S59 bu this week
| a year ago, and 4, ,2S2, 129 bu in 1901. Wheat
exports since July / aggregate 1850 9,093 bu,
against 21O,5563 333 bu last season and Ill $780,
! 33S bu in 1900 Corn exports aggregate 1,499,-
3O6 bu. against 1,677, ,621 blu last week, 376, 1856
| bu year ago. and. l, 344, 356 bu in 1901. For
the fiscal year. exports 53, ,169, ,195 bu, against
50, $685. 921 bu last and 154, ,266, 545 bu in
1901. u. - ... - J.. .
Business failures in the United States for the
| week number 1872, against -16O last week, ISL
| in the corresponding week Of 1902, 214 in 1901,
1872 in 1900, and 1S4 in 1899. In Canada, for
| the week, 13, against Is last week and 20 in the
| week year ago.