The Washington herald., 1906-12-01
TRADE TIDE STILL ON
In All Lines Activity Con-
tinueS or lis Increased.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING IS HEAVY
Congestion OF Traffic Alarming, Rs
Coal Is In Great Demand I'm West.
Textile Plants Raise Wages TO the
Highest Point Ever Reached-IrOn
Products Active-Dun's Review.

New York Nov. 30.-ln It's weekly review
of trade tomorrow, Bradstreet will say;
Trade has been active as rarely before
at this season, despite widespread holiday
observances, warm weather in parts of the
South and Northwest. The really serious
cause Of complaint, a reflection IN itself
OF superintendent prosperity, is the prae-
tfcaIly countrywide congestion in railway
tranic, which affects grain movement
collections, and retail trade in the North
west. delays delivery Of badly needed coal
supplies in the entire West. interferes
with the movement of cotton to market at
the South, and hampers manufacturing
operations in the iron and steel. textile
lumber, and other trades. Railway men
appear awake to the situation and work
ing energetically, but the near approach
OF winter season renders the outlook du-
bious.
Something like a campaign for early ho'--
day shopping has been inaugurated in
many cities and this branch Of trade is
expanding at retail even while the whole
salers and jobbers are making sales and
shipments 10 meet the expected demand.
Spot sales in general jobbing lines are
rather lighter, as is natural. but this
branch of trade. as well as first hands, is
busiIy engaged on business for spring.
Farmers Also Prosperous.
Very favorable agricultural returns in
most cases are bringing good profits TO
the farmer, but that section of the COM
munity seems determined, as, for instance,
in grain and cotton, to get fun prices for
its products. Warm weather checks
Southern distribution to some extent, but
favors continued growth in some sec
tions.
Industries still shows record activity
iron and steel leading. and foreign iron IS
coming in freely and being ordered large
ly for future delivery. Prices of most
products hold all the strength heretofore
noted.
Interior markets are reported buying
more freelytof commercial paper, but col
Iections in some sections drag, and money,
as a whole, is still very firm. with little
easing looked for until the first Of the
year. The labor situation is a very strong
one. features being additional advances in
wages by textile mills, iron and steel man
ufacturers, and railroad companies.
Dun's Review of Week.
Dn's Review tomorrow will say:
Business was improved by the Thanks
giving holiday. but conditions warranted
more than ever before a day devoted TO
grateful recognition. In all departments
Of agricultural. industrial. and mercan-
tile activity the current year is surpass-
ing even the phenomenal record of 1895,
which in turn eclipsed all preceding years.
Prosperity in this country is based on
especially sound conditions, and success
abroad contributes an important element
in the enlargement Of our foreign com
merce.
Reports from leading cities indicate that
trade was well maintained during the
past week. and further improvement is
noted in mercantile collections. Holiday
goods continue to occupy a position Of
prominence, but distribution Of staples
is on large scale
Leading manufacturing industries are
receiving orders for delivery far into next
year. the volume OF forward business be-
ing exceptional for iron and steel prod
ucts. and a sharp advance in the price of
raw cotton testihes to the consumption
by spinners. Many other textile plants
have followed the example of Fail River
mills. advancing wages TO the highest
level ever attained in that industry, while
tie full statement for the third quarter
shows the largest distribution of divisions
in recent years
Operations continue at the maximum
in pig iron furnaces, yet deliveries are
very unsatisfactory.
Commercial failures this week in the
United States are 1872, against 25i last
week. go the preceding week. and 203 the
corresponding week last year. Failures in
Canada number 19. against 81 last week
"a the preceding week. and 81 last year
OF failures Of this week in the United
states, 20 were in the East. Sc in the
South. 80 in the West, and 16 in the Pa
cific States, and 50 report liabilities Of
5000 or more. Liabilities of commercial
failures reported for November 70 date
are $6S0960l, compared with SS.S65,7SS a
year ago.