The Washington herald., 1907-01-12

New York. Jan. u.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow viii say:
There are some CTOss-currents in trade !
which prevent generalization, but, as a
whole. the situation loses little by COM
parisOn with preceding years at this early
stage of the season. Weather conditions
have been hardly seasonable, IN some
sections severe transforms having checked
operations. but the resemblance to last
year in the effect of mild weather In re-
tail trade in winter goods and upon build
ing activity is marked.
The need Of seasonable weather is
noted throughout the country In whole
sale and jobbing trade spring season ac-
tivity is not marked as yet, but it is TO
be noted that a number of lines of cotton
goods have been advanced, that Eastern
shoe manufacturing centers are filed
with buyers looking around, and that
shipments of goods on orders are being
called for.
The Western centeTs also report rather
more buying from country merchants and
some liberal purchases of agricultural
implements In Industrial lines previous
activity continues without changes. Some
few lines Of iron and STEEL notably struc-
turai shapes and cast iron pipe, are i'm
less active request but other finished
lines are active, and the market as
whole is strong. with leading authorities
making optimistic predictions as to the
coming years trade. Some shading OF
prices is shown.
Car Shortage still Acute.
The car shortage question is stin
acute, though mild weather helps the
railroads. Special complaint of trouble
from this source comes from the North
west, where the coal movement is
checked; from Oklahoma. where build
ing in the new cities and towns is affected
by inability to get material; from the iron
and steel centers, where mill operators
are hampered by slow arrival of supplies, /
and from the cotton and lumber pro-
ducing sections, which complain of the
car shortage affecting shipments.
The money situation is easier in a few
centers. notably the Southwest, where
the banks are reported well supplied with
money. but collections in the Northwest
are affected by backward grain move
ment, another example of the CrOss-cuT-
rents affecting past trade settlements. 1
As whole the market is firm and higher /
than a year ago at this time
Summed up, the situation is that retail /
trade is backward, that some few lines OF /
wholesale trade seem 20 be taking "A 4
breathing spell. but that the heavily sold /
ahead condition in most lines guarantees /
a future large turnover. Relatively the 4
best reports come from the Southwestern /
States, Northwestern reports are rather 4
irregular. but the only really poor reports /
as TO trade and collections come from the 4
South Atlantic States. where crop returns 4
were below early anticipations.
Dun's Review Of Week
Dun's review viii say tomorrow.
Trade returns are irregular because Of /
the erratic weather. unseasonably high F.
temperature restricting sales of heavy /
weight wearing apparel at some points, /
while business is most satisfactory in I
colder sections. Mercantile collections are I
also more prompt in some sections than /
others, but there is unanimity regarding |
the large amount of forward business on /
the books of manufacturing plants and /
general confidence in the future Bargain /
sales are reducing retail stocks Of winter
goods in preparation for spring openings, /
and liberal shipments will soon be made
BY jobbers and wholesalers.
Building operations have been greatly
facilitated at the East by open weather /
Prices of all commodities declined almost /
/ per cent during December DUn's Index
No. s. the first business day Of January /
being S107,264, against S1CS172 a month pre-
vi0us- Railway earnings in December !
were 6.4 per cent larger than a year ago, /
while foreign commerce at this port for
the last week showed a gain Of S. ZOO 919 in /
imports and a loss of $l.227.330 in exports. /
as compared with the figures of a year /
ago.
Bank exchanges in New York for the |
week were 15.2 per cent smaller than IN /
1906, owing chiefly 10 decreased sales of /
securities. while at other leading cities /
there was an average gain OF p per cent |
Some steel mills are now able 10 make /
deliveries more promptly, because specifi- /
cations are less frequent especially in re- |
spect 10 structural shapes, and a few
plants are rolling billets in the structural |
mills, which relieves the pressure very
much I'm that department There is no |
evidence Of a setback in this condition 1
seasonable influences restricting building 1
operations at some points, Yet the result 1
is a natural disposition on the part of /
prospective purchasers to hold back or /
ders in the hope that concessions in prices !
may be obtained.
Steel Bars I'm Demand.
steel bars for re-enforced concrete con
struction are rapidly becoming a leading
feature, a single contract of 5000 tons be 1
ing placed at Chicago. Forward business /
in pig iron is very heavy at Pittsburg /
orders covering the output Of some fur 4
naces for almost the entire year, prices /
varying according to the date Of delivery 4
but sales are not reported at less than /
S2150 to SO, Valley furnace. This strength !
is the more remarkable because of the /
unprecedented rate Of output. all monthly /
records having been eclipsed in De- /
cembeT.
Demand for cotton goods I'm the pri- /
mary markets is somewhat less urgent. /
bat selling agents are no less confident
and there is no prospect for lower prices
in the near future. owing 10 the album /
dance Of orders on the books at the mills
mills are making good profits on pres
ent business. after a little period in which /
the prices were lower. Improvement is /
noted in woolen goods, considerable busi- /
ness being accomplished in the mems
wear division, but this movement is only
fairly started, and it is not yet possible /
10 ascertain the exact status Of the /
market"