The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-10
COLLECTIONS ARE
 NOTABLY PROMPT All Leading CenterS Bear Tes- timony to General Prosperity SPRING ORDERS COMING IN Dun and Bradstreet Both See Much In Store for the Country at Large.
 The Financial Position
 Is Strong.

New York January 9.-R. G. Dunn & Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say: Collections were notably prompt at all leading centers bearing testimony to the strong financial position of the nations idustries at the opening of the new year. Distribution of merchant disc Is heavy and many manufacturers are pressed for prompt delivery. Orders for spring goods come freely and in some lines there Is more than a sample bus mess in fall weights. Tardy deliveries In the past lead purchasers to anticipate requirements more than heretofore and orders are being placed far in advance of actual needs. The fuel situation Is still the one seriously disturbing element, rendering abnormally high cost of manu- featuring and restricting the purchasing power of almost the entire population. Fortunately this comes at a time of ex cellent prosperity or there would be gen. eral contradiction of consumption in other lines. There is little interruption to work because of labor disputes. But many operations are interrupted by the
 
 way freight rates were advanced and one result will be a loss of exportation from eastern cities, the traffic being deflected to New Orleans.
 In the iron and steel industry the most significant event of the week, was the discussion regarding the profit sharing proposal by the leading producer. In- adequate supplies of coke are still re- stricting operations. Contracts for the new year were made at s4 a ton, but prompt deliveries often commanded $6 or S and at Chicago some sales were re- ported at $10. Pig iron continues scarce, prices generally advancing during the present week and the expected advance of sl ton was made in wire products.
 Much new business has come forward, and especially in bars and sheets. which had been comparatively quiet. while there is a vigorops demand for structural ma terial to be used in bridge work and car shops. Another year of unprecedented activity In this industry is confidently anticipated. Partially because of the published statistics of supplies. but more on account of London speculation there was sharp advances in the price of tin and copper followed by some reaction due to realizing sales.
 New England producers of foot wear are busy on spring orders and a few de- lveries already have been made, al- though shipments arc light in these lines as yet.
 Exceptional activity In rubber goods has reduced supplies to an unusual low point Some varieties of leather have advanced slightly and tanners of hem lock sole continue heavy.
 No new features have appeared in the domestic demand for dry goods. The best events as to cottons has been the con- tinued buying for export which has ex- ceeded expectations very largely. The print cloth market has ruled very firm with business restricted by the reserve of sellers, who show no disposition to make concessions. As to wooden goods the demand for overcoatings for next fall has not come up to expectations. which may be attributed in part to the fact that the season opened unusually early. Prices are fully maintained at the opening level of the season.
 Failures for the week number $50 in the United States against 373 last year and 24 In Canada compared with 27 a year ago.