The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-13
BRADsTREET'S REVIEW.

New York, January 12,-Bradstreets
today said: There are some cross
currents in trade which prevent general
ization, but as a whole the situation loses
little by comparison with preceding years
at this early stage of the season. The
need of seasonable weather is noted
throughout the country. In wholesale and
iobbing trade springs season activity 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 filled with
buyers looking around and that shipments
of goods on orders are being called for.
The western centers also report rather
more buying from country merchants and
purchases of agricultural implements. In
Industrial lines previous activity contin-
ues without change. Some few lines or
iron and steel. notably structural shapes
and cast iron pipe, are in less active re-
quest, but other finished lines are active,
and the market as a whole is. strong with
leading authorities making optimistic pre-
dictions as to the coming years trade
Some shading of prices on far off deiv
cries is shown. The open winter allows
OF great activity in building, but there
is not the unanmity as to the predictions
of record breaking construction noted a
year ago. The car shortage question is
still acute, though mild weather helps the
railroads. Special complaint of trouble
from this source comes from the north
west from the Pacific coast, from Okla
homa, where building in the new cities
and towns is affected by inability to get
material; from the iron and steel CEN
tiers where mill operations are hampered
by slow arrival of supplies, and from the
cotton and lumber producing sections,
which complain of the car shortage affect
ing shipments.
The money situation is easier in a few
A,t,I h., u Int aAl-
lections in the northwest are affected by
backward grain movement AS a 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 to be taking
breathing spell, but that the heavily sold
ahead condtion In most lines guarantees
future large turnover. The only poor
reports as to trade and collections are
coming from South Atlantic states,
where crop returns were below early an
ticpations. Leather moves freely on past
orders. The situation in raw and manu-
featured textiles is a very strong one.
Relatively best reports as to current trade
come from the dry goods lines Heavy
clothing feels the dulling effect of mild
weather. Dress goods are in good shape
and fancy woolens are selling better than
for some years.
WOOL markets are very nrm, though
transactions are not heavy.
Sugar Is without much change, except
one refinery has cut prices of refined 1sc.
Coffee has eased slightly, futures being
% to So points lower on large movement.
Bank clearings for the week ending jan
uary 10 aggregate 50, 47S O55, 6SS-9.5 per cent
over last week, but 9 per cent below the
same weel; last year, Excluding New
York City. the total is s1.22s 145,S06-9.5 per
cent in excess of last week and per cent
over last year. Canadian clearings for
the week aggregate $S7,l02540, a gain of
40 per cent over last week and of rs
per cent over this week a year ago. Bust
ness failures in the United States num-
Der 27l, against 1856 last week and 2S6 In
the like week of 1906. In Canada failures
for the week number "a, as against 16 last
week and 40 a year ago. Wheat. includ-
ing -four. exports from the United States
and Canada for the week aggregated H.,
07s.110 bushels. against 4255.270 last week
and 476S, 1872 in the corresponding week
last year For the past 2s weeks of the
fiscal year the exports are l01 Ga,
against -. TSS, 1872 In 1905 Corn exports for
the week are 1926. 1877 bushels, against l.
e74,599 last week and 5.S42569 a year ago.
For the fiscal year 10 date the exports are
2710o.27o bushels. against 4S,560.S50 In 1905.