New-York tribune., 1906-05-14

the srpuly OF commercial bills with which to
offset these remftfances.
Current trade reports indicate that weather
conditions have been unfavorable for retail
sales Of seasonabe goods. and there is stih COM
plaint regarding collections, which may ne que
TO recent stringency in the money market
There IS also evidence OF more conservatism
regarding plans for the future I'm some asri-
cultural districts where the temperature has
been averaging from to degrees below nor
NAL retarding progress OF the crops. ON the
other hand, the labor situation has become
much brighter all the serious disputes ana
most Of the smaller controversies reaching am
icable settlements. and IT IS doubtful whether
there ever was year In which so many OF the
May 1 strikes were settled within two weeks.
RESUMPTION of work at the anthracite coal
mines was the most important development In
this respect but there were also many thou
sand men involved In the longshoremen's strike.
which threatened serious interruption TO move
nnent Of iron and grain, and several extern
sive dlsagreements were pending In the building
trades and the textile industries. As the
available force resumes In the various manu-
featuring industries, the most serious labor
problem is transferred 70 the farms. where the
lateness Of the season makes it unusually Inn
perative to have planting proceed rapidly. now
that IL is fairly under way.
partly because OF the stronger statistical posi-
ton. but more account OF uncertainty re-
garding the future. Favorable weather for a
few weeks would quickly regain any ground
that has been lost because OF the irregular start
in some sections. but any backwardness in the
season naturally tends 20 encourage speculation
for higher prices, and the wheat market has
had the additional stimulus OF largely increased
flour production. Exports are also making a
good exhibit in comparison with last years fig
ures. although still far behind the movement In
years preceding 1905. Corn has maintained a
strong position. sympathising with the move
ment in wheat. but exports have fallen off ma
terially. Notwithstanding the fact that cot
ton had already attained an abnormalIy high
position. and shipments abroad were making
poor comparisons with last years figures. strong
speculative interests were able to carry prices
still higher with the aid Of excessive moisture
in parts Of the South.
At textile mills the output is heavy and prices
well maintained, although in cotton goods
the demand is more restricted to immediate
needs than elsewhere This is largely due 70
the fact that buyers consider that any change
in price Of the material should be down.
ward in view of the present exceptionally high
position. although manufacturers show no in
clination to make concessions distant de-
liveries and reject export inquiries because
they are fractonally below the regular market.
AS the season advances it is becoming evident
that worsteds will not monopolize attention TO
the exclusion Of woollens. as was the case last
year. and the more even distribution Of busi-
ness tends to keep ali departments Of the mills
more uniformly engaged. Prices have the sup
port Of firm market for raw wool. domestic
growers still insisting on quotations above a
parity with leading Eastern markets. and offer
AZ hvic
competition at top prices. Prosperous cOndi-
tions prevail in tho iron and steel industry. the
output of pig iron being at the maximum. the
longshoremen's strike terminating just in time 70
prevent any scarcity of ore. Steel rail produc-
ton for the year will surpass all records, but
advance orders already threaten a new high
water mark for 1907