The San Francisco call., 1904-06-04
MUCH DEPENDS
ON THE CROPS
Trade Conditions Are Quiet,
but Good Returns From the
= Fields May Alter Them
BUSINESS DULL IN MAY
Prices of Staples Are Back
ward and Depression Is
Due to Labor Troubles
BUSINESS DULL IN MAY

NEW YORK, June 3.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say:
Pending clearer view Of future crop
outturn, general trade in industry is
quiet to the verge Of dullness. Crop
prospects have improved in some Sec
tions, but complaints come from others,
so that this situation is as a whole still
irregular. The volume Of May business
both at wholesale and retail was dis
appointing, confirmation of this being
found In the decreases in the bank
clearings and in railway earnings from
year ago, while failures were more
numerous, though less costly than in
recently preceding months, while show
ing Increases on a year ago. Iron and
steel, bituminous coal and cotton man
ufacturing are notably quiet for this
season of the year. There are, how
ever, some signs underlying confidence
in future trade. These consist Of re-
ports Of improved inquiry for fall goods
at some Western, Southern and East
ern points, rather better tone in the
shoe and leather industry at the East,
active buying at full prices Of the new
Western wool clip, and fairly good re-
y.
bly, that part dealing with clothing
trade. Collections partake of trade ir-
regularity, but are still classable as fair.
Prices of staples show a general sag
ging tendency, part of which is sea-
sonable. Briefly summed up, the sit
uation generally centers upon the
probable outturn of the growing crops
and until this matter is settled most
authorities look for comparative quiet
in most lines.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending June number 1874,
against 1S4 last week, III in the like
week in 1903. In Canada failures num-
Der 20 for the week, against IA last
week and 13 in this week a year ago.
Wheat, including -four, exports for
the week ending June q aggregate
1,937,20S bushels, against 1874, 900 last
week. From July ], 1903, to date, they
aggregated 1899, 719 bushels against
20S, 1872, ,S07 last season.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
327,16e bushels. against 23S.6s5 last
week, 1.012,S year ago.
From July 1, 1903, to date they ag-
gregate 5O,275,S75 bushels against g.
3S5. .722 last season.
NEW YORK, June 3.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade to-mor-
row will say:
Interruptions Of industrial progress
by the holiday, labor conflicts and in
clement weather again produced a
somewhat unsatisfactory trade situa-
tion. Yet money is easy and accom-
modation is readily obtained in le-
gitimate business channels. Ltabili-
ties of mercantile failures are COM
paratively small, indicating that most
son and are able to Withstand a period
of diminished sales and tardy pay
ments. This conservative attitude
is the fundamentally strong feature Of
the situation, and when business re-
wives there will be no pressure to dis
pose of heavy stocks of undesirable
goods More Manufacturing plants
have reduced hours or wages. and
several strikes have added to the
army of unemployed.
No definite change is reported in the
iron and steel industry, quotations be-
ing barely maintained, and new con-
tracts placed with great discrimina-
ton.
Commercial failures this week in the
United States are 22O against 226 last
week, 236 the preceding week and 1S2
the corresponding week last year.
Failures in Canada number 26, against
II last week, II the preceding week and
"a last year.