Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-07
CONDITIONS OF TRADE
MINERS TROUBLE HAS LITTLE
EFFECT ON BUSINESS.

r. G. Dunn & Co.'S weekly review of
trade for the week says:
Opening OF spring trade is not perceptibIy
retarded by the partial interruption OF coal
mining, except in the immediate vicinity of
anthracite mines. High temperature not
only broadens the demand for saasonable
merchandise but stimulates agricultural
operations. reopens northern navigation and
starts many contemplated building opera
tons.
Were 1t not for a few labor controver-
sizes, the commercial horizon would be cloud
less. But some manufacturing plants Will
be compelled to suspend If the fuel supply
is cut off. and structural work is inter
rupted by demands. for higher wages in GER
tain localities.
That the year 1906 started out to eclipse
all records is evident by bank exchanges IS
per cent larger than in the first quarter Of
the previous prosperous year while liabili-
ties of commercial failures averaged only
81 cents to each 81 600 of solvent payments
through the clearing houses. which is the
lowest commercial death rate for the first
three months of any year.
The average loss If distributed through
all the firms in business, was only S2i.S6 to
each concern: not a serious burden to be
borne by the mercantile world.
Railway earnings in March were 60 per
cent larger than last year. and foreign COM
merce at New York for the last week showed
gains of 81 1896 in imports and $Ss7 $50 in
exports, as compared with the correspond-
ing week in 1903.
Progress in the iron and steel industry
has not suffered yet from the partial
suspension of coal mining. and new business
comes forward each week in great volume
Latest developments are most pronounced
In the structural steel division. Mex n
order in new business is the tonnage of ~ ell
rails that is rapidly closing order books up
to the end of the year. Further strength
appeared in the hide market Failures this
week numbered 1877. as against 232 last
year. and IS in Canada, as against % last
year"
Bradstreet's Weekly Review.
Bradstreets summary of the state of
trade says:
Real spring weather, which has stimu-
lated retail trade. except in a few sections
still affected by heavy rains and bad coun-
try roads: an excellent-in fact. almost
ideal-winter wheat: more animation in the
iron industry; continued activity in nearly
all lines of inquiry; heavy railway earnings;
increased bank clearings and the surpris-
ingly little adverse effect of the coal miners
partial shutdown are the significant fea-
lures presenting themselves this week.
THE rush of spring jobbing is now about
over, but improved retail demand has al
ready evoked some recorder of business, and
encouraging reports as to enlarged orders
for fall delivery present themselves All
kinds of light summer-wear goods are active
and strong In price. Dry goods. millinery,
shoes. clothing and farm implements are
marked features at retail. while in whole
sale lines the demand for lumber. hardware,
paints. glass and other materials bear wit
ness to the present record rate OF building.
Business failures In the United States for
the week ended April ) number 151 against
10 in the like week of 1898. In Canada
failures were II. as against % a year ago"
The Knoxville (Tenn) presbytery of the
Southern Presbyterian Church. In session
there yesterday. adopted a resolution favor
ing church union