The San Francisco call., 1904-04-30
TRADE DROPS
BELOW RECORD
Usual Volume of Business in
Spring Not Encouraging
Except in Western Sections
PACIFIC COAST BETTER
Weather Conditions Continue
TO Exert Good Influence OIL
Building on Pacific Coast

NEW YORK, April 29.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say: Distributive trade
continues quiet at most markets, and
April trade the country over has not
equaled that Of q year ago. The alb
sence heretofore of the usual volume OF
spring demand is depressing to dealers,
who fear they will be obliged 10 carry
over surplus stocks. Signs of improve
ment are. however to be noted in the
Northwest. where better weather has
helped retail and wholesale trade.
Pacific Coast trade and crop advices
are better than of late, and while
weather and crop conditions are back
ward at the South the exceptionally
strong position of the leading interests
renders the outlook for the future very
hopeful. Backward weather has retard-
ed cotton planting and spring wheat
seeding, while crop termination and
growth are generally reported slow the
country over. During the first four
months Of the year upward of 125.0O
men have struck for various causes,
but while there is considerable unrest.
rather less than the usual May day
disturbances are looked for. The de-
mand for pig iron is rather quiet, the
lack of inquiry showing effect in Bes-
semer pig.
Price fluctuations this week have been
relatively unlmportant, though the ten
dency as a whole has been slightly
downward. Weather conditions play a
leading part in the demand for building
materials, which are active at some
IL - L.
Special activity is noted at different
cities on the Pacific Coast.
Wheat Gncluding flour) exports for
the week are the smallest in fourteen
years, aggregating 1,O10,S50 bushels,
against 1.645 42S bushels last week.
3,41s,2Se bushels this week a year ago,
5.3Os. s.l55 bushels in 1902 and 5.10O.76S in
1901. From July l, 1908. to date they
aggregate 121,7O7.137 bushels. against
1S6, ,S93, 4S5 bushels last season, 211, ,S39, 1896
bushels in 1902 and 172,74S,26s bushels
in 1901.
Failures in the United States for the
week ending April -2s number 1877,
against 199 last week, 173 in the like
week in 1903, ia in 1902, 163 in 1901 and
173 in 1900.
In Canada failures for the week
numbered "A, against IL last week and
u in this week a year ago.
r. G. Dun & Co.'S. Weekly Review of
Trade tomorrow will say: Business
continues to move in the most conser-
vative channels, purchases being re-
stricted 10 immediate requirements and
weather conditions dominating the sit
uation TO an unusual extent At many
4havc lfff1p n
trade and the transition from winter
to summer will be accomplished with
scarcely any intermediate season.
Considering this adverse factor, the
current volume cf business is remark
ably satisfactory. Building operations
are also deferred to a late date. Much
structural work is projected, however.
and at some points last years record
promises to be surpassed. AS a rule
plants are not working
at full capacity, idle machinery being
most extensive in textile industries.
Floods and storms have interrupted
traffic, yet railway earnings thus far
for April are only 5.5 per cent
smaller than last year. Iron and steel
conditions are still devoid of any def
mite changes.
Activity and strength is reported in
the Western hide markets, sales of
over 100, 900 being reported on Thurs
day, when the leading interest resumed
purchasing Trading In foreign dry
hides is only limited by arrivals, as
the demand is good at full values.
Failures this week number 202 in the
United States, against 203 last year
and Is in Canada, compared with 13
a year ago.