The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
TRADE STIMULATED BY GOOD WEATHER Crop Progress and Easing of Money Are Features PIG IRON BUYERS WAITING Quleting Demand for Fine Cotton Fab. rIcs-cotton Goods Strong, How
 ever, and Higher.
 Labor Unrest.
PIG IRON BUYERS WAITING

Bright, warm, almost summer weather alike to retail trade and crop progress, a cessation in liquidation in securities, and an easing of the strain in the money market so far as the April 1 period is concerned, are the notable features in an encouraging week.
 Reports as to eastern demand are of large, in fact record trade, thus crown ing a three months period which ex- cept iu a few sections, has exceeded any preceding years, the only drawback in which has been tn getting of goods in sufficient volume to supply the demand Less pessimism also is shown as to the crop outlook, insect damage, compara- lively speaking is minimized, and win ter wheat aside from parts of southwest Texas. promises well though it is of course still too early to forecast ulti- mate outturn.
 On the other hand, collections are still backward, which is attributed Variously to slow deliveries of goods, congestion of farm products deliveries and finally to the heavily increased volume of past trade.
 Money is still high in price, long period of this conditions is apparently in sight, and there Is a disposition to await clearer view of the future. and especially the matter of crop prospects, before extensive commitments are made as to the distant future. This is per haps best, illustrated by the holding off by buyers of pig iron for the third quarter, and by the quietng in demand for fine cotton fabrics for later delivery for anything like prompt delivery. Cot ton goods are. however, strong, and some f-Orics are really higher Export trade shows rather more life, wool is quiet, partly because of high money and deal CTS refuse to meet the views of growers. There is more unrest in labor circles, notably in the matter of railway em- ployes and of building hands. Talk of retrenchment by railways is still rife, but cancellations of orders for rails and other material are so far reported light.
 There is less firmness in the prices of some metals, copper principally, but iron prices are held firmly by the dead lock between buyers and sellers as to the distant months.
 Sales of foundry pig iron for last half delivery are light, but more inquiries seem to be cropping up and the mar Fet is firmer. i.1 sympathy with the strength in Bessemer pig. Furnace in- terests are so well situated that they appear able to resist demands for price concessions. Bessemer pig is firmer on indications that some leading interests did not fully cover their requirements by the purchases of last week.
 The paucity of steel in the central west continues. In finished lines the slt- nation is a strong one, with little trust worthy evidence of cancellations large demand for structural material is in sight. Demand for cast iron pine is heavy. and the iron sheet bars and wire is exceptionally brisk, without prece- dent in fact.
 Dry goods jobbing at the east is ac- tive the only complaint being slow deliveries of goods by first hands and mills Fine yarn goods for late delivery are quiet. There is more evidence in export with China. Tn wool goods there is more doing in men's wear for fall.
 Failures in the United States for the week ending March 2S. number 1G6 against 157 last week, and 169 in the like week of 1906.
 Canadian failures for the week number 21, as against 32 last week.
 Wheat, including flour exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending March 2S, aggregated 2.7O7566 bushels, against 1S7S,614 last week, 15l2.- S52 this week last year, and 99S. 500 in 1905.
 IA. U. O.. weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 Easter trade surpasses expectations. fa- vorable weather bringing out very large volume of business during the week, while activity was not confined to specialtles but extended to all seasonable lines of staple merchandise. Wholesale and iob- ping houses received many supplementary orders, especially for dry goods and mil linery, and further improvement in col lections were reported.
 Announcement by some railroads that retrenchment must curtail plans for ex- tensions has had no perceptible influence on the iron and steel industry, owing to the scarcity of stocks in all positions
 Prices were held within reason during the season of greatest pressure when big premiums might have been charged and the conservatism of the leading interests is now bearing fruit A few quotations of pig iron are slightly lower, but as a rule deliveries cannot be made before July, and domestic furnaces are not able to satisfy requirements during the sec ond quarter. This has revived imports and one shipment from China is finder consideration. Structural steel is taking reasonably prominent position, specifi- cations coming forward freely as open weather facilitates building operations much business coming from the central west and Pacific coast, despite the pos sibility of d strike May l.
 Tube and wire mills are falling further behind with orders, and capacity of sheet and plate plants are inadequate to handle the business offered.
 More quiet conditions prevailed in the primary markets for cotton goods, but prices were well maintained, producers having large contracts on hand. Jobbers report the first rush of the season has ended, many buyers having returned home, yet those still in the market reports from the south and west indicate early spring orders from retailers have been most satisfactory. The only changes of the week were upward, and the attitude of sellers has lost none of the independ- ence that has characterized operators thus far this year. Sales at second hands devil ated little from the general level Export trade is still low. but the manufacturers are securing better returns from ma chinery diverted to home business tha n could have been received on foreign or ders.
 Congestion of stocks at Shanghai still dominates the Chinese market and South America supplies practically all the ex- port demand. Development is slow in the woolen goods industry, buyers of men S wear having not yet aScertalned tne trend of demand, but the dress goods division is better established
 New England shoe manufacturers have about concluded work on large spring contracts, and have commenced cutting fall footwear on orders from western wholesalers.
 Interest has suddenly appeared in rus set shoes, for which retailers have made inadequate preparations.
 The decline in leather and hides aroused hopes of cheaper finished products, but