The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-04-15
REVIEW or TRADE.
Strikes only Cloud on the Business
HorIson-cut In Southern
Pig Iron.

n. q. Dun & Co.'S weekly review OF
trade says: Aside from the preva.
lence Of strikes and possibility of fur.
ther interruption to Industrial activ.
ity next month on this account, the
business outlook is most gratifying.
Late frosts caused some damage early
In the week, but low temperatures did
not continue and most sections agri-
cultural productions had not advanced
sufficiently to suffer materially, while
the prospects are bright for large
crops and heavy sales of fertilizers
testify to extensive operations. De
spite some unfavorable weather. East
ern retail trade has been heavy, and
Jobbing activity in summer fabrics in
dicates expectations of a vigorous con.
sumption as the season advances.
There is less complaint regarding de.
llveries due to better traffic facilities.
Railway earnings In March increased
1873 per cent, compared with las, year,
and 241 per cent compared with 1901
Undue significance has been attached
to the recent reduction I'm prices of
Southern pig iron, and throughout the
country tendency to delay placing
contracts Is noticed. No other cut in
quotations has followed and in the
trade 1t is believed that after the tenn
porary uneasiness there will be a re-
sumption of buying on the former lib
eral scale. Finished steel Is eagerly
sought and there Is increased activity
In outdoor work. Makers of merchant
pipe tools. agricultural implements
and all kinds Of machinery have more
business than can be handled prompt
ly. The pig iron output has bounded
upward with the better movement Of
fuel and in a short time production
will be at the rate of 10000 900 tons
annually. These figures are the better
appreciated when 1t is remember I'd
that they are more than double the
maximum years output prior to 1899.
In the textile industries there are still
adverse factors. notably the labor con-
troversies at cotton mills Beyond a
moderate revival of export purchases
for China there is no increase In the
sales of cotton goods. both sellers and
buyers awaiting some more definite
information as to the future Another
rise in the raw material threatens a
shutdown at several mills which have
light supplies and few contracts. Man
ufacturers Of mems heavy weight
woolens and worsteds receive few or
des except for filling out sample
lines. and the situation is practically
unchanged. Thus far fall business is
below normal and clothiers are not
seeking large supplies of material.
Wool has been fairly steady since the
month opened, but none of the March
Is recovered New business is small
at Eastern factories, but this Is sea-
sonable and no apprehension Is felt.
Moreover. current shipments are
much heavier than year ago. and
activity Is assured for at least two
months after work begins on fall con-
tracts. Quotations are firmly held and
local jobbing trade is brisk. Leather
Is In better demand, the strike at Chi.
cago tanneries stimulating purchases.
Domestic hides have lost part of the
recent recovery and imported skins
are also somewhat cheaper. Staple
products develop irregularity as the
season advances and speculation has
again become a prominent factor.
failures this week numbered 1877 in
the United States. against 1913 last
year, and Is in Canada, compared with
10 year ago.