Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-26
CONDITION OF TRADE
AN EXCESS VOLUME OVER LAST
YEARS RECORD.

Bradstreet's review Of trade for the past
weeks says:
Settled. bright spring weather favors
the passage Of large quantities of products
into final consumption, as evidenced by the
reports. OF expanded retail trade, of en-
larged Jobbfng recorder business, and Of
trade at first hands In excess of the volume
usual at this season of the year Reports
from the leading industries are Of sus-
tained great activity. except In some few
divisions of the fuel and iron trades. where
strikes curtail operations slightly. The
crop situation Is, on the whole, quite cheer
full, the only drawback being the irregular
distribution of rainfall in different dis-
tricts.
Fall trade, as usual, waits on crop de-
velopment, but is Of larger volume than
ordinarily at this season, evidence that 50
far the agricultural prospects is for yields
at least equal to those Of last year. on which
the wonderful prosperity OF 1906 was large
ly founded. Prices display all their former
strength, the slight upward movement in
cereals being based as much on manipula-
ton Of an unwieldly short interest III the
current wheat option as In the reports of
crop deterioration, common at this period.
Reports as to collections are, on the
whole, fair to good, and Indications Of cas-
Ing money are furnished in the reports OF
return flow of currency from the in
terior. The San Francisco banks all re-
opened this week with a vastly larger vol
even needful, and the return flow to the
east from that city is already Of good vol
ume.
Activity in outdoor work, such as build
Ing, with consequent heavy demand for
lumber, hardware and other materials, Is
still feature, though it Is worth noting
that some large centers report less pros
pective work in view, and some abatement
n q a 10 f{rrx, p1il any-
ings are of the best for this season of the
year, gross receipts exceeding the similar
period year ago by 10 per cent.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ended May a number ITO,
against 161 last week, 179 in the like week
Of 1905, 1874 in 1904 1S1 in 1903 and 1853 in
1902 In Canada, failures for the week
number 49, as against Is last week and IL
In this week year ago"
Review by Dun.
r. G. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review Of
Trade reports the following:
Ample rains throughout the farming re-
gions provided the most important CONNER
cial factor of the past week, large crops
being essential to a maintenance of nation
al prosperity at the maximum position re-
Gently attained. Retail trade responded to
the stimulus of warm weather. lightweight
wearing apparel going freely into consump-
ton, and there is an unusually liberal vol
ume of wholesale business for this time Of
the year. Mercantile collections still
somewhat irregular, but at most cities pay
ments improving, and the financial sit
uatfon is more encouraging now that the
San Francisco banks have resumed BUSH
ness without any disturbance. Manufac-
turing plants are well occupied and build
ing operations are heavy, but there are in
dications of a lower level for commodity
quotations for the month of May.
Customary summer quiet is noted In
some departments, although there is less
than the usual interruption, and prepare
lions are already in progress for a very
active fall season. Labor conditions have
improved, the only new disturbance of note
being locally among the painters. while the
steel industry suffers less delay from old
disputes. Railway earnings thus far re
ported for May exceed last years by IL
per cent, and foreign commerce at this
port for the last week showed gains of
81, 1874 239 in exports and 81, 134 COL in i'm
ports over the movement of 1905. Absence
of interest is the feature of the primary
market for cotton goods, the lethargic at
titude of purchasers being assumed in an
ticipation of obtaining concessions.
mo cheapening Of cost Is noted in the
hide market, but there are more evidences
of uncertainty and increasing efforts to re-
strict purchases on the part of tanners.
Failures for this week were 1873 in the
United States, against 211 last year. and
in Canada compared with 10 a year ago"