Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-11
TRADE STILL BOOMS
WOOlens and 0ottons Suffer from Strike and
General Lethargy.
DUN THINKS OUTLOOK GRATIFYING
In spite of Hating orders and Labor
Disturbances which Threaten TO
Grow Worse situation f.
Declared Good.

NEW YORK, April lo.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
say:
Aside from the prevalence of strikes and
the possibility Of further interruption to
industrial activity next mont on this &C
count. the business outlook is most crafty
early in the week. but low temperatures
did not continue and in most sections
agricultural products had not advanced
sufficiently to suffer materially, thus the
prospects are bright for large crops and
heavier sales of fertilizers testify to ex-
tensive operations.
Despite some unfavorable weather, east
ern retail trade has been heavy and jobbing
activity in summer fabrics indicates a gen
as the season advances. There is less
traffic facilities.
per cent compared with last year and
PAL per cent compared with 1901.
Cut I'm Iron Prices UnimpOrtant.
Undue significance has been attached to
the recent reduction in prices OF southern
pig Iron, and throughout the country q
tendency TO delay placing contracts Is
noticed. No. other cut in quotations has
that after the tenporary uneasiness there
will be a resumption Of the buying on a
more liberal scale. Finished steel is eagerly
outdoor work.
Makers Of merchant pipe, tools. sgricul-
tural implements and all kinds OF ma
AAhN AaN0 AAAOAN III hA1aAA NaAA ~
handled promptly.
The pig iron output has bounded upwards
with the better movement OF fuel and In
a short time production will be at the rate
OF 100000 tons annually. These figures
are the better appreciated when 1t is re-
membered that they are more than double
the maximum years output prior to 1899.
In the textile industries there were still
adverse factors notably the labor contro-
versies at cotton centers. Beyond a moder-
ate revival of export purchases for China
there is no increase in the sales of cotton
some more definite information as to the
future. Another rise in the raw material
threatens a shut down at several mills
which have light supplies and few con-
tracts.
Manufacturers of mems heavyweight
orders except for filling out sample lines
and the situation is practically unchanged
Thus far fall Blu siness 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 decline is recovered.
New business is small at eastern shoe
factories, but this Is ~seasonable and no APP
prehension is felt. Moreover. current hip
ments are much heavier than a year ago
and activity is assured for at least two
months after work begins on fall contracts.
Quotations are firmly held and local job
bling trade is brisk. Leather Is in better
demand. the strike in the Chicago tanneries
stimulating purchases. Domestic hides have
lost part of the recent recovery and I'M
ported skins are also somewhat cheaper.
Staple products develop ~irregularly as
the season advances and speculation has
again become a prominent factor.
Failures this week numbered 1877 in the
United States, against 19s last year, and
Is in Canada, compared with 10 a year ago.