The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-04-11
QUITE A GRATIFYING
OUTLOOK FOR
BUSINESS
Large Crops in Sight and
Retail and Jobbing Trade
Heavy-Increased Railway
Earnings-Only Backset Is
From Strikes, Present and
Prospective.

NEW YORK, April 10.-R. G. Dunn
& Co.'S weekly review of trade tomor-
row will say: Aside from the preva-
lence of strikes and possibility of fur
Their interruption to industrial activity
next month on this account, the bust
ness outlook is most gratifying. Late
froStS caused some damage early IN the
week, but low temperature did not
continue and in most sections agr1cul-
. tural products had not advanced suff1-
GENTLY to suffer materially, while the
prospects are bright for large crops and
heavy sales of fertilizers testify to ex-
tensive operations.
Despite some unfaVorable weather,
Eastern retail trade has been heavy.
and jObbing activity in summer fabrics
indicates expectation of vigorous con-
sumption as the season advances. There
is less complaint regarding deliveries
due to better traffic facilities. Railway
earnings in March increased 1876 per
cent compared with last year, and PAL
per cent compared with 1901.
Placing of Contracts Delayed.
Undue significance has been attach
ed to the recent reduction in 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 it is believed that after the tenn
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 bust
ness than can be handled promptly
The pig iron output has bounded up
wards with the better movement of
fuel, and in q short time production will
be at the rate of 20,000,000 tons an
nually. These figures are the better ap-
preclated when 1t is remembered that
they are more than double the maxi
mum years output prior to 1899
In the textile industries there were
still adverse factors, notably the labor
controversies al 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 in
formation as to the future.
Raw Material Still Higher.
Another rise in the raw material
threatens a shutdown at several mills
which have light supplies and few con-
tracts. Manufacturers of mems heavy
Woolens and Wors teds receive few new
orders except for filing 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
decline is recovered.
New business is small at Eastern
shoe factories, but this is seasonahle
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 be-
gins on fall contracts. Quotations are
ha1 inI1h
brisk. Leather is in better demand,
the strike at Chicago tanneries stimu-
latiEg purchases. Domestic hides have
lost part of the recent recovery and i'm
ported skins are also somewhat cheap
er. Staple products develop Irregular
1ty as the season advances, and specu-
lation has again become a prominent
factor.
o Failures this week numbered 1877 in
the United States, against 1913 last year,
and IS in Canada, compared with 10
year ago.