The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-30
R. C. DUN'S REVIEW
EAsER RETAIL TRADE SURPRISES.
 ALL EXPECTATION.
by some RaiIroad of Retrenching Policy Has Had no Perceptfble Influence on Iron
 and Steel Industry.

New York, March 29.--R. O. Dun and Company's Weekly Review or Trade tomorrow will say:
 Easter retail trade surpasses ex- pectation, favorable weather bringing out very large volume of business during the week, while activity was not confined to specialties, but ex- tended to all seasonable lines of sta. iobbing houses received many supple mentary orders, especially for dry goods and millinery and further im- provement in collections. Announce ments by some railroads that fetrench- ments must curtal plans Tor extsn. . on the iron and steel Industry. owing to the scarcity of stocks in all posi- tons.
 Prices were held within reason dur ing the season of greatest pressure when big premiums might have been charged and the conseryatism or the leading interests is now bearing Irulc A few quotations of pig iron are slightly lower. but as rule deiIveries cannot be made before July and de- nestle furnaces are not able to satlsIy requirements during the second quar- ter. This has revived Imports ana one shipment from China IS under con sideration Structural steel Is tax ing a reasonably prominent position. specifications coming forward freeiy as open weather facilitates buildeing operations, much business coming from the Central West and Pacific coast. desnite the possibility of strike May 1. Tube and wire mills are falilng further behind with orders and ca pacity of aheets and plate plants are inadenuete to handle the business or fered.
 More quiet conditions prevail in the primary markets for cotton goods but prices Were well maintained, pro- ducers having large contracts on hand. Jobbers report the nfst rusn of the season has ended, many buyers having returned home, yet those sti,l m the market reports from the south and West indicate that carly sprIns orders from retailers have been most satisfactory The only changes or the week were upward AndNthe attitude of sellers has lost none of the indepen- dence that has characterized operators thus far this year. sales at secono hands deviated little from Ihe genSrat. level, Export trade is still slow put the manufacturers are securing better returns from machinery diverted to home business than could nave been received on foreign orders.
 Congestion of stocks at Shangnal stiil dominates the Chinese market ana South America supplies practically al the export demand. Development IS slow in the wooden goods lnuustEy, buyers of mems wear having not yet ascertained the trend of demand, put the dress goods division is better es- tabllshed .e...,,.o,.s
 New England shoe manufacturers have about concluded work cn larSs spring contracts and have commenced cutting fall footwear on orders from western wholesalers. Interest mas suddenly appeared in Russet shoes TOT which retailers have made inadequate preparations. .,ao.
 The decline in leather and niaeS aroused hopes of cheaper nnlsned products, but thus far no concessions can be secured from man nanufs9t1rers fs,; hTTs and in another week liberal fall puy- t.sr bv Eastern wholesalers is anttci- nafed better demand for leather has appeared but transactions are not large because buyers do not make Sat7 isfactory bids. ...l,-
 Native cowhides are weakest pacR- pcn CTS stocks being estimated at Sov,oVoi oa Another fractional decline is reported in foreign dry hides. At the leading commodity co exchange prices ruled ed fa.g- rs- ly steady and option tradlns was tt,, stricted by the unsettled security market.