New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-07
CONDITION OF TRADE.


JTnseasonabIy mild weather IS making II possible
for farmers to secure much late grain and cotton
other hand trade is dull in heavy wearing apparel
fuel and many lines that should now be vigorous.
up and the nation will be benefited by the in
creased crops. the immediate effect Is unfavoraole
mills and several minor industries. but IN iron and
steel there are more idle furnaces and mills Build
ing permits decreasing. and structural work IS
not prosecuted with the vfsor that was seen last
mand Several Labor controversies that were
threatened have failed to materiallze. and the
country is remarkably free from Interruption on
this account. Exports Of merchandise from this
city for the last week s5O1.T4s larger than in
the same week last year and the liberal supply
OF grain and cotton bills brought foreign exchange
was engaged The railways Continue prosperous
earnings for October surprising last years By 81
week were 26l per cent smaller than year ago,
but ut other leading cities there gain of 81
Disappointment has been experienced by. those
would go lower Bessemer pig at Pittsburg
holds fairly steady. but gray forge and Southern
many forms of steel in finished condition or partly
manufactured are weaker in price although con-
concerned Pool and list prices have been ignored
Sheets plates. bars and cut nails among the
the pool price beiP reduced rom s2- no s7s S Pals
are maintained at SIS for standard weight the
railroads constantly placing small orders. Reports
dfcted but it is certain this branch Of trade is
revlving as prices become more attractive TO for
eign consumers.
"Bradstreet's' says:
Trade and industry are quieter or the whole,
unreasonable weather affects retail trade at many
centres. and conservatism in providing for future
requirements restricts jobbing trade Relatively
most activity is found in the South, where the
growth of the cotton movement at the high prices
ruling stimulates business at many centres In
industrial lines reports Of curtailed production
evidences of demand not pressing
sharply heretofore Despite the dufeter tone
of business for some months past. however. IL
IS to be noted that while October cearings
10 per cent less than year ago. the 10
per cent larger than those Of September OF this
year. and the contraction is largely at the great
centres. because two-thirds of the cities Of the
country show increases over ago. and the
country outside of the metropolis reports record
totals for Octob-r- Failures in October were more
numerous than in any month since January, and
liabilities swelled by large trust company and
bank suspensions. of them. II is hoped only
temporary. the largest for any month since
1929. but the returns appear much less depressing
when compared with the years preceding the great
the ten years average for October Railway
earnings feeling the effects IF smaller re-
cepts Of wheat but still show Increases over all
preceding periods at this date Prices show an
easing tendency. except for cotton, which is at
the highest level reached for many years at this
season. Food products are easing off. and finished
iron and steel leading the downward movement
of manufactured goods. but signs OF rea awakened
foreign and domestic demand lead TO the hope
that the automatic check to demand long exer-
cised will be removed.