The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-08
TRADE SITUATION
 IS SATISFA FACTORY Dun and BradStreet Both See :. Hopeful Signs HEAVY SALES OF PIG IRON Reports of Car Shortage Trouble Are Increasing, the Latest Sufferer Be-
 ing Western Lumber Trade
 Volume of Trade Large.
HEAVY SALES OF PIG IRON

New York August 7.--Bradstreet's to-
 morrow will say:
 Summed up in a sentence. it may be
 said that the past week in trade and in
 dustry is satisfactorily secured. while the
 future despite some mainly sentimental
 drawbacks, Is highly promising. Divided
 geographically, 1t is to be noted that the
 east feels the effect of speculative llquida- 1 ton and the dulling effects of manufactur- l ing prices of raw material, or of strikes while the west and south contemplate the prospects of good yields of staple crops. and remunerauve prices for the same with confidence, and even optimism.
 Staple prices are drifting lower. Food products certainly tend lower.
 Other developments in actual trade and manufacture are favorable. There are more buyers of dry goods and clothing, l hats, shoes and hardware in western mar
 kets and In nearly all lines business is
 claimed to be equal to or in excess of last
 year, so far The dry goods season has opened well at New York in all lines ex- cept cotton goods.
 For the first time in weeks. something | Sales of pig iron have been the heaviest since the spring, some of this being for the last quarter of the year and some for next years delivery. Other large orders impend Shoe manufacturers are doing a large business, as measured by eastern | shipments are reports that western. par l ticularly St Louis, manufacturers have all that they can handle. Railway earn ings thus far reported for the month of | July indicate a gain of IA per cent over the same month a year ago and there fore, 10 this extent are the best ever re- ported for that month.
 Hides are easier and steam sizes of | anthracite coal weakened perceptibly. Refined sugar is in active demand, the | best weeks business so far being report | ed In addition to sales of ,000 tons of | pig iron at Chicago, 1t is noted that the tone of the Pittsburg market Is better and finished steel products, notably bar and structural, are more In demand. Trade in merchant pipe. steel sheets. wire and tin plates Is claimed to be bet ter than last year. Lumber is active at the west, but new enterprises. involving its use at the east are reported held up by financial uncertainties.
 Reports of car shortage troubles are increasing the latest sufferer being the western lumber trade
 Wheat, including flour. exports for the week ending August 6. aggregate 3,040 629 bushels against 3,191 442 last week. 4244,- 364 this week last year and S,S31, ,129 in 1901 and 3,3lS760 in 1900. For five weeks of l the cereal year they aggregate 15.047253 bushels against 2793,203 in 1902; 82.5O7145 in 1901 and 14S6S 797 in 1900.
 Corn exports for the week aggregate l sS4,42S bushels against 92SS39 last week; 706l1 year ago, 800, IA in 1901 and 2s9O- 1 754 in 1900. For five weeks of the pres ent cereal year they aggregate 6,242.09 bushels against 494437 in 1902; 67,224413 in 1901 and 10s 246, 731 in 1900
 Business failures in the United States during the week ending August G. num- Der 161 against l90 last week; 169 in the like week of 1902; 1s5 in 1901: 172 in 1900 and 156 in 1899.
 In Canada failures for the week num- bered 26 as against r last week and IA in this week a year ago.