The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-02
BRApsT7EET's REVIEW.

Bradstreet's tomorrow will say:
Weather conditions and labor disturb
ances, actual or threatened, have been
temporarily unsettling elements in the
trade and industrial situation this week.
but great basic elements, such as gen.
eral business and crop conditions, remain
largely favorable. Cold weather and snow
in the west have checked farm work,
intertwined with retail distribution and
retarded orders. The actual opposite,
however, Is noted at the east, where the
weather has been sprlnglike and a much
needed stimulus to retail distribution has
just been given. Wholesale trade Is sea-
sonably quiet though some sharp con-
trasts are shown in different branches
of the same trade. The pig iron market
Is generally quite dull with prices weak
ening, but steel and finished product gen.
orally are eagerly sought and very firm.
In the textile trades the strike of Lowell
cotton goods employees still continues
while the abnormal condition of prices
checks large operations. Raw material
is lower, largely in sympathy with the
quieter tone of business for mems wear
goods for fall delivery. The outward
movement of corn is increasing but ex-
ports of Hour this week are smaller than
last week and this week year ago.
testify to the generally satisfactory con-
ditions prevailing. Gross railway earn
ings for the first three weeks of April
promise to exceed those of a year ago
by per cent and the net returns SO far
received for March are extremely favor
able. Pig iron has been dull at most
markets except Pittsburg, where a quite
heavy movement is reported. This is at
tributed to some slight price concessions,
Bessemer pig iron being quoted so cents
lower than week ago. Foundry pig iron
at the west is reported dull and rather
weak in tone, and the same Is true of
southern iron. When steel and the nm
ished products of iron are considered,
however, a notable difference is found.
Steel billets are apparently as scarce as
ever, and structural material. plates,
sheet bars and rails are in active request
at first prices. The fact is that finished
products were not advanced relativsl as
much as the cruder forms and the neces-
sity of downward price revision Is less
manifest Some other metals are weaker.
lead being marked down 80 cents per 100
pounds, and copper is also lower both at
home and abroad but silver has reached
the highest price in two years owing to
the recent purchases for Philippine COIN
age purposes and prospects of currency
reform in Mexico.
Labor disturbances, particularly in the
building trades. have been an unsettling
feature in the lumber trade this week
but the volume of business in this line
shows no shrinkage. Lake navigation Is
In full swing and the lumber movement
is very heavy one Shoe manufacturing
is an active industry at present.
Corn exports aggregate 2,210,550 bushels,
against l, 499, 906 last week, 12S,679 year
ago and 2371.S02 in 1901.
For the fiscal year exports are $3.50. $50
bushels against 25,52S. COO last season and
| 156 63S, 437 in 1901.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending April 30 number 173,
against 1853 last week. ia in the corre-
spending week of 1902, 1853 in 1901, 1853 in
1900 and 1874 in 1899.
In the Dominion of Canada for the
week failures number IL. as against 10
last week and % in this week year ago.