New-York tribune., 1905-01-14
CONDITION OF TRADE.
..Dun's Review says:


Erratic weather produces irregularity ln retail
distribution of merchandise at many points: saa ana
sion IN rofton hut The general outlook is consle-
cred very bright. Manufacturers IePoIt CIItiL
while deliveries on old contracts are of satisfactory
volume The best news comes Itnries Ir0l e are bHsy
woollen mills in exceptionally good condltloA' dtu
@ be raS ~ sferiai market becomes settled Fail
ures for January thus far compare NSry taS tsd
SIS per cent over those Of 1904 and toregn eoHi- i
merge at this port Of the last osS SeeS % ony ss s in
exports. Commodity markets are quiet and 1s Dun 5
f6 SS 1 montb preylSus Aside from the abnormal
position OF breadstUffs owing TO the snort , %e II
unusually free from imitation or other u1heatng m
51ecTlative scti%itv and money remains abundant
and easy. despite large exports of gold 70 nltons
government deposits and increased demand for ac-
commodation in mercantile GhanneiS me SnoUd pnE pI
exchanges at New-YOrk for the last week Were
392 per cent larger than year ago. ana at Other
leading cities the gain amounted TO l33 per cent
''Bradstrects'' says:
Activity in industry. particularly iron and steel
and allied trades. furnishes a contrast TO cordt-
irreguarity with seasonal quietness predominant
in; in all but few sections The undertone OF
the potential der,and is thought to be very large
stocks IN al hands aFS g Snf aet ' rules who
sale trade lines and speculation in sscurl-
ties and staples is quiet TO dull at generally steady
try having three to four months business booked
ahead is running very full, and displays more
surface activity than does new business. The sea
son for clearance sales in retail lines is well under
way and large distribution is being stimulated
by special prices by seasOnable we.2th con-
ditons in most sections. y notably quiet trade
at present is that OF cotton goods. which feel the
effect Of recent price declines in the raw ma
teriaI i'm backward buying. This is most notable
1T the East and at some large Central Western
markets and * responsible for reports of smaller
volume of sprtEs business doing than a year ago
when cotton and cotton goods were advancing rap
Idly. some cancellations are reported in this lire
in the Southwest. Aside from this, however. the
volume OF advance orders is of good prcportions.
Hardware manufacturers report three 10 four
months orders ahead; the shoe trade is looking
IN at the East, with buyers taking higher priced
goods moro freely: the woOlleU goods trade is IN
a strong position owing to the strength OF the
raw material. which is being bought heavily in
Arcentina and Australia for American account; the
iron and steel trade is producing at close TO the
maximum the coke situation has improved and
famine prices longer asked and soft coal
has been helped by cold eathcr and better sup
ply of cars Bank clearings show gains, not only
over last week. but over this week a year ago;
Returns OF railway earnings indicate a very f1ll
business proceeding through the country and fall
ureS rather less than the annual normal clean
up involves. though the South contributes more
than at corresponding periods in recent preceding
years Collections a whole rank as fair TO good,
though the South still complains and some extern
SiOnS asked for there.