The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-24
BEING
 MOVED SLOWLY Many Complaints Are Heard in
 Business World TRANSACTIONS ARE HEAVY Dun and 6radstreet Continue to See Something Good In the General Trade Understandings
 surpass Last Year.
TRANSACTIONS ARE HEAVY

New York, January 2S.-R. G. Dun &
 Co.'s weekly review of trade tomorrow
 will say:
 l Heavy transactions in merchandise are reported, but there Is much complaint regarding the slow movement of freight. The situation as a general thing is ag- gravated by the precedence given fuel 1 over all other freight, except live stock and perishable goods. Notwithstanding the extensive increase in transporting fa- ciities during the past year, some roads have been compelled to decline sonsign- ments and in many cases where a large number of cars were desired, only one was provided.
 Earnings thus far available for January surpass last year by 5.6 per cent. It is conspicuous in practically every section buying is liberal and of the better quail ties of goods, while dealings, as a rule are of a cash basis. Demand for building materials is unusually brisk for the sea- l son and prices of lumber at the south have advanced. Although fortunate sec- l tions are receiving a better supply of fuel, the situation is still serious and many pig iron furnaces have been added to the idle list. Producers have sold their capacity for some time there Is lit- tie new business and no effort on the part of sewers to secure contracts. Hence prices of pig Iron are steady and new transactions light.
 As to the demand for finished products, requirements are still pressing in railway equipment both structural and rolling stock. and 1t Is stated that orders have been placed for as many tons of steel rails as were produced in the full year of 1902. Steel for buildings bridges and ships find a ready market and implement makers are becoming more active. New orders for merchant steel are light, but old con tracts are still numerous. New England producers of boots and shoes are actively engaged on seasonable lines and there Is enough business on hand to keep most plants in operation two months, at least
 New business comes forward slow;y and there are few supplementary orders for spring lines. Trade in leather is bet ter, domestic shoe manufacturers operat- ing on a more liberal scale, while export sales of sole are increasing As to cotton goods, the situation grows steadily stronger, demands for immediate needs preventing accumulation of supplies and leaving an increasing number of orders unified. A few open advances in quota tions are recorded, while a quiet curtail- ment of discounts is reported in progress. Orders for standard print cloths at less than 31sc are rejected, and wide goods are also firmly held. Export buying has practically ceased. With the exception of few of the finest grades. woolen goods for the fall of 1903 are now fully opened. Firmness has characterized the course of the leading staples, an abundant de- mand being In evidence. while Available supplies are restricted by traffic condi- tions.
 Failures for the week number 265 in the United States, against 301 last year, and 27 In Canada, compared with 23 a year ago.