The Washington herald., 1906-10-20
TRADE OUTLOOK GOOD
Dun and Bradstreet 0ptimis-
tic Over Conditions.
PRESSURE ON STEEL MILLS
Railroads Unable TO Handle Goods,
which in Part Accounts for Low
Prices offered for Grain in North
vvest-Cotton Products in Heavy
Demand-Other Trade Notes.

New York, Oct 19-Dun's review to-
morrow viii say:
The advancing season has broader re-
tail trade in staple lines. notably heavy
weight closing and footwear. while whole
sale and jobbing departments make salts
factory returns, and there is definite inn
proYemcnt In the promptness with which
mercantile collections are made. Current
distribution IS scarcely more general than
the demand for distant delivery. indicat-
ing that confidence in the future remains
mistaken.
Industrial operations are on an unpre-
cedented scale. with especial pressure at
steel mills, car shops and ship yards
Prices are well maintained. the general
level showing net gain since the month
opened Many voluntary advances in
wages are noted. and It is hoped that
the scarcity Of labor viii be less disturb
ing when farm work is finished. Railway
hlockades stiIl delay shipments. yet earn
ings for October thus far surPass last
years by 7.5 per cent
Aside from the advance Of 81 a ton in
the price Of pipe at the close Of last week.
quotations Of iron and steel remain
steady but notably firm A single order
for 9Sj miles OF pipe is a sample Of the
vigorous tone and the extent to which
business runs into the future. Some mills
can promise small deliveries in n few
weeks but, as a rule. contracts already
on HAND assure full activity far into next
year. even with the increased production
that will follow the opening Of new plants
r-F--
the highest since the beginning Of 1862
and there Is much more stability than
was noted four years ago.
Commercial failures this week in the
United States are Is. against 1T last
week, and 333 the corresponding week last
year. Liabilities Of commercial failures
fer October TO date, 1856, III, compared
with S3,0l2.e09 a year ago.
Trade Conditions Good.
In .its weekly review Of trade, Brad
streets tomorrow will say:
Trade continues Of large volume. and
while the ordinary rush OF small trade is
over and next springs is receiving at
tention. active retail demand has Undue
ed heavy volume OF recorder business
from jobbers. Except in few sections
where mild weather last winter left un-
sold stocks on hand, supplies OF goods
are not excessive. Hence a continuance
Of active recorder trade is likely, weather
conditions allowing.
Perhaps the most active branch of
wholesaling and jobbing is that OF cotton
goods. which are IN heavy demand, with
slow deliveries still complained OF. There
is also a better tone TO wooden goods.
worstcds leading as heretofore. Prices
are steady as a whole, and the high range
of all quotations does not seem as yet To
be reflected in reduced sales IH general
distribution lines the reports are almost
uniformly favorable.
Activity in Metal.
Industries return reports Of great activ-
ity the iron and steel, metal working.
coke. cotton, other textile furniture, car
I pet and. indeed, practically al lines are
/ pushed
! Exceptions are found in shoes, which
have not been as well ordered as year
ago for fall and winter. though excuses
on last springs account make n net gain
/ for the year as a whole
/ The silver lining to the late Southern
cloud is fouFnd in the advance Of s.
/ cents in cotton. which has induced frcrI
/ sales, larger movement, and better retail
/ trade and collections
There Is complaint that low prices
/ offered for grain are restricting sales by
I farmers West and Northwest. but lack Of
/ motive power and CT cars Is credited with
/ holding back deliveries
/ AdviCcs IS to the winter wheat acreage
/ are that an area fully equal TO last year
/ has been or will be soVn, and moisture
/ has been well distributed. insuring good
start before freezing weather arrives.