Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-21
THE STATE OF TRADE
BRISK BUSINESS, BUT MILD
WEATHER DELAYED SALES.

Activity broadens in commercial chan
nels and confidence expands because of the
many evidences of conservatism. Business
Is brisk and improving yet there is no dis
position to start boom either in commodi-
ties or securities. Manufacturers receive
liberal orders for remote deliveries, many
dealers having covered spring requirements.
and shipping departments are forwarding
as freely as traffic facilities will permit.
Current retail trade is not equaling ex-
pectations. but this is attributed to mild
autumn weather. and preparations for the
future are urdiminished. Especially good
news is received from the iron and steel
centers. the output of mills and furnaces
increasing without relieving the pressure
for quick delivery, particularly in structural
and railway departments Wages were vol
UNFAIRLY increased at print cloth mills, and
scarcely any labor disputes are noted.
Much complaint is heard regarding
freight blockades. several contracts being
accepted subject to delay in transit, which
Is seriously retarding grain exports. New
ertheless. railway earnings for October thus
far show a gain of only 1.6 per cent com
pared with last years figures This should
be qualified by the statement that prelimi-
nary reports are chiefly from the south
west, where quarantine conditions and the
tardy movement of cotton make an unfair
comparison with last years figures which
of cotton.
Foreign Trade Statistics.
Statistics of foreign trade for the United
States eclipsed all September records last
month. which was particularly gratifying
in view of the fact that a loss of over
81 100000 in exports of cotton had to be
made up elsewhere. Another splendid ex-
hibit Is assured for October the last week
alone at
901 in imports and 81, 120,S03 in exports, as
compared with last years figures.
Evidences of conservatism are more nu-
merous in the primary markets for textile
fabrics, although there Is no weakness in
quotations. but rather more indications of
inherent strength.
Tanners have secured contracts for de-
livery of enough packer hides during the
winter months to reduce activity somewhat,
but there is no weakness. owing to the linn
tied offerings. New England manufac
turers of footwear are supplied with con-
tracts assuring activity up to February.
Failures this week numbered 233 in the
United States, against 125 last year. and 3S
in Canada. compared with 80 year ago"
Bradstreet's Review.
Bradstreet's weekly report says:
Trade reports are rather more irregu-
lar, but industry is still at high tension.
Heavy rains west and too high temperature
but back of this is to be reckoned the
fact that wholesale trade has been active
for three months past and some quoting IS
naturally in order. Colder weather now ad-
vancing is reported to be stimulating retail
trade and recorder business with jobbers.
Lifting of guarantees has unauestlonably
helped southern trade, but the effects of this
have been partly counterbalanced by the
holding of cotton for higher prices which
also retards collections. Car shortages are
hel inc rronr lnIrtn
feeling their influence. and grain, lumber,
coal, coke and ore shipments are delayed
thereby, with effects on retail trade and
collections. Bank clearings now compare
with large totals year ago, and gains are
small-in fact. trifiing.
Industries still feel the impetus of an
unprecedented fall demand. Iron and steel
are active as never before at this late
date and prices still tend upward. Coal is
experiencing the usual active fall demand.
lampered, however by inability of ship
pers to fill orders owing to the lack of
cars. Coke tends upward and large inter-
ests buying heavily into next year.
Building is active beyond precedent, both
in the large cities and in the country. Cot
ton manufacturing is active and higher
wages have been granted. Manufacturing
for holiday account is very active.
Price Situation Strong.
1.-The price situation is strong as a whole,
though some weakness, as in sugar, corn.
hog products and raw silk, and quiet in
other lines of raw material, point to de-
mand having been satisfied. Nothing of
this sort is, however, indicated in hides,
leather or shoes. and with strength in
other metals than iron and stronger export
demand for cereals. make for a balance of
up and down movements. Wool is quiet
as a whole.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ended October 10 number lis.
against 1873 last week. pot in the like week
of 1904, PIG in 1903, 1914 in 1902 and 22i in
1901. In Canada failures for the week
number 81. as against 81 last week and 50
in this week year ago.
Wheat. including flour. exports for the
week ended October 10 are 2.S31, 4S2 bushels,
against 2,1T4, 4G2 last week, 1066 1852 this
week last year. 4 255.Os0 in 1903 and 1885,
137 in 1902. From July l to date the ex-
ports are % T05,319 bushels, against 2J9T2-
34S last year, 49s06.T74 In 1903 and 80, s25,-
81 in 1902. Corn exports for the week are
776 435 bushels. against 9f2 474 last week,
1888 a year ago, 1,S09. $50 in 1903 and
81, 564 In 1902. From July 1 to date tie
exports OF corn are 17.O9.326 bushels,
against 9.S45,T77 in 1904, 5000. SIG in 1903
and !. SIS, 946 in 1902