The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-06
TRADE REPORTS
ARE FAVOR ABLE
Returns Show the Usual
Increase and the Outlook
Is Generally Satisfactory
IRON AND STEEL QUIET
Aside From Chicago Strike
There Is Little Friction
Between Capital and Labor

NEW YORK, May 5.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say:
What might be termed a breathing
spell is being taken in numerous lines
of trade and industry pending the ad-
vent of settled weather, clearer views
of the crop outlook and the settlement
of the Chicago strike Heavy rains or
cool weather have retarded corn and
cotton crop preparations and retail
trade, but have rather favored winter
wheat, which fully holds the n1agnifi-
cent promise of month ago, while an
increased area is certain in spring
wheat, which latter, however needs
more moisture. Iron and steel are
rather quieter as regards new business,
and Increased ease is noted in old ma
terial, pig iron and bars, but structural
material is eagerly bid for, and large
orders for railway bars guarantee ac-
tiyity for the mills for months to
come. The building trades and allied
lines, such as lumber, hardware. paints
and glass, are apparently doing the
business of their lives, unchecked and
untouched by the usual May day labor
disturbances.
All statistical measures of trade pro-
gross point to general business as
SuONlIlS d Satisfactorily lHCIcdSt OFSI
preceding years at this date. Bank
clearings are of enormous volume
next to the largest ever recorded. Fails
ures are fewer and liabilities smaller
than a year ago, railway earnings be-
ing indicative of heavy tonnage
movement but money is strilxingly
easy considering present and past ac-
tivity in trade and finance.
Wool has been active this week, and
ieriA - IL lr4
display relatively more activity. Met
ais, other than iron, are rather easier.
Other staples show little change.
Wheat Including -four exports for
the week ending May are 1,279,S64
bushels, against 1880, 31e last week and
1.192,718 this week last year. From July
l to date the exports are 54,588,0 94
bushels. against 122, &c., 65 last year,
140, 49,, 062 in 1908 and 214, IA, 636 in 1902.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending May number 1913,
against 1913 last week and 176 In the
like week in 1904. In Canada failures
for the week number 49, against IL last
week and Is in this week year ago.
Duns weekly review of trade to-mor-
row will say: Weather irregularity
provided the only check to business,
partly through the direct effect Of re-
tall distribution of seasonable wearing
apparel. but more through the resump-
ton of caution among traders in some
sections where crops have been dam
aged or farm work retarded. On the
whole. however, encouraging progress
is shown in most trade reports and in
dustrial activity is undated. "
Aside from the Chicago strike there
is little friction between capital and
labor. many higher wage scales going
into effect this week. Traffic returns
are we'll maintained, railway earnings
for April exceeding last years by 10.5
per cent. Foreign commerce at this
port alone for the last week shows a
gain of So, 159, 534 in value of merchan-
disc imports over the same week in
1904, while exports increased 81, 76S, 4S8.
Hides continue firm. but sales are
smaller, as the leading buyers are sup
piled for current needs. Dealers are
declining bids slightly below the mar
ket.
Failures this week in the United
States number 1872, against 204 last
week, 204 in the preceding week and 207
the corresponding week last year. Fail
ures in Canada number %, against 10
last week. q the preceding week and %
last year.