The San Francisco call., 1905-04-22
TRADE REPORTS
ARE IRREGULAR
Weather Conditions Are Not
Favorable and in Con-
sequence Prices Fall Off

NEW YORK. April 21-Brad-
streets tomorrow will say: Trade
reports are irregular in character, dis
tribution of seasonable goods at retail
being retarded by cool or rainy
weather at the West. Northwest and
South, where truck fruit, products and
young cotton are reported damaged
by frosts. Industries, however, are
active, jobbing trade at some centers
is still good and retail business toward
the latter end of the week became
more animated.
Building is brisk, money is firmer
bank clearings having increased
heavily, prices in general display a
downward tendency. weakness in
grain and securities being especial fea-
lures. Railway earnings are still on
the up grade and Western wheat crop
prospects continue favorable, timely
rains helping with the wheat though
cold weather has delayed spring wheat
and oats seeding and plowing. While
iron and steel still continue buoyant
demand for pig and other iron is less
pronounced and the markets therefore
present quiet appearance. Inquiries
for foreign billets are numerous. their
scarcity here being the immediate fea-
ture in the market. American houses
al e SdiQ 70 De HS uTinS on the con-
struction of iron and steel works in
Japan and China. 1t is usually a quiet
season for jobbers, but paints, oils.
lumber, plumbers supplies and build
ing material are active, while agri-
cultural implements are in good re-
quest Here and there industrial dis
turbances have cropped up, but so far
the situation in this respect is very
satisfactory.
MARKET QUIET But FIRM.
Coke prices have softened con-
siderably during the week. Anthra-
cite coal is active. but the soft coal
situation is rather unsatisfactory. re-
cent concessions in the district having
placed those sections al a disadvantage
as compared with Western regions.
The wool market is quiet but firm as
regards old supply of wool. Foreign
grades, however. are in good demand.
On the Pacific Coast the outlook
seems without a flaw. A very heavy
export trade with Asia is looked for
on the coast this year
Business failures in the United States
Tor the week ending April 20 number
1S3. against 196 last week, and 199 in
the same week in 1904, 152 in 1903, 1S1
in 1902 ard PA in 1901
In Canada failures for the week num-
Der twenty-one, as against twenty-one
-~N 'NNAN e--a1 SANfCH III tIllS week d
year ago.
Wheat, including flour, exports for
the week ending April 90 are 1.242.2 .267
bushels, against 1922, ,30I last week. l.
64o,425 this week last year, and 1856, ,542
in 1903. From July to date the ex-
ports are 51.0S7,914 bushels, against
120 7l2,997 last year, and 133, ,023 in
1903.
RESULTS ARE SATISFACTORY.
Tomorrow will say:
Erratic weather has tended to make
trade reports somewhat irregular. but
on the whole the weeks results were
satisfactory. Early delays were fol-
lowed by increased activity, particular
ly in what might be termed Easter
times. 1t is noteworthy that much
business for fall delivery has appeared
and more supplementary spring and
summer contracts are being placed
than jobbers anticipated. Mercantile
payments are also increasingly prompt
Industrial activity expands, iron fur
naces and steel mills maintain their
good record. textile plants securing
larger orders, and footwear manufac-
turers are able to hold full prices
without curtailing operations. Labor
controversies are few and cause little
inconvenience, while immigration for
the last week will be more than double
that OF the corresponding week in 1904
Transporting interests are able to ham
die the increased business with little
congestion, railway earnings thus far
reported for April exceeding last years
by 10.2 per cent. Foreign commerce at
this port for the last week showed
gain of s2.069.S61 in value of merchan-
disc exported and imports were s3.
415.s22 larger than in the same week of
1904
Jobbine trade at Salt Lake CITY is
normal for the city and somewhat bet
ter tnan year ago. San Francisco
large and money abundant.
Packer hides are strong and active
Foreign dry hides are unchanged.
Failures this week number 200 in tha
United States. against 241 last wear
and twenty-one in Canada, comma red
with twelve year ago.