The San Francisco call., 1904-04-09
FAIR WEATHER
GIVES VICOR
Retail Trade in the Cities
Increases and Farmers
Prospects Are Brighter
LABOR OUTLOOK BETTER
Iron Shows Activity and
Splendid Conditions Are
Reported From the South

NEW YORK, April s. S.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say: Events of the week
have, for the most part, been favorable.
Weather conditions generally have
been springlike except in some portions
retail distribution in the cities, while
in the country districts favorable
weather mas helped farmers in their
planting preparations and improved
the condition of winter wheat. The
breakup of country roads, however,
tends to retard the sale and distri-
button OF merchandise. Wholesale and
jobbing distribution have been helped
in tone rather than in volume by the
Improvement in weather and in retail
trade. In two of the leading indus
tries, iron and steel and lumber the
resumption of outdoor spring activity
is helping distribution. Collections as
yet do not reflect much, if any, i'm
provement, and, in common with trade
itself are especially backward in Sec
tons of the Middle West, where re-
cent floods have done damage
All measures of trade activity prove
the first quarter to have run behind a
year ago. Failures exceed those in
1903 by eight per cent in number, al
though five per cent less than in 1902
by seven per cent.
LABOR SITUATION BETTER.
The labor situation is better than it
was week ago, but still retains a
mottled appearance.
The iron trade maintains an appear
ance of activity. Among the other met
ais the strength of copper is noticeable.
Surplus supplies are said to be largely
in the hands of few concerns, and
much higher prices could be obtained
if desired
What may prove to be a significant
movement in prices was inaugurated
in March. when eight out of thirteen
classes of products including bread
stuffs, meats, textiles, hides and leather
and building materials, declined. The
general level of prices fell off about ten
per cent for the month, but is still
in excess of a year ago at this time,
and not far from the highest for years
past
Wheat. including flour. exports for
the week ending April aggregated
1854, ,437 bushels, against 1867, ,430 last
week; 2,SS3, ,2S5 bushels this week
year ago; S42,O33 bushels in 1902, and
640,601 bushels in 1901.
SOUTH is IMPROVING.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending with April Z, num-
Der 201 against 212 last week, 153 in
the like week in 1903; 1872 in 1902 and 225
in 1901
In Canada failures for the week
number "a against IL last week and Is
in this week year ago.
r. G.. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review
of Trade tomorrow will say:
Conditions have improved somewhat
during the past week, although there
is still much to be desired. Dispatches
from the South are most encouraging
At the East more seasonal BILE weather
prevailed, Yet the spring trade is still
below normal The best news of the
week was the settlement of many labor
controversies or at least resumption of
work pending arbitration. Manufactur-
ing news is still confused. Notable i'm
provement in the iron and steel indus
try is offset by less favorable news
regarding textile and wooden trade.
Agricultural work progresses rapidly
under better than average conditions.
1t is good sign that the month opened
with prices of commodities less infiat-
ed Less activity in Western hide mar
kets was not accompanied by weak
ness; on the contrary, limited offer
ings by packers gave increased strength
to all varieties except native steers of
recent sailing.
Failures this week numbered 235 in
the United States against 81 last year,
and 29 in Canada against Is a year ago.