The Washington herald., 1907-03-02

New York. March -Bradsreets,
March >. Will say:
TRADE has improved all around the
impetus being furnished by the return of
more favorable weather, the presence of
country merchants in leading markets,
and the near approach of the Easter holt
days.
House trade has been more active, and
in such lines as cotton dry goods. dress
goods, and woolens high prices do not
deter the placing Of large orders. Interior
merchants report stocks quite low and
money plentiful Moreover. the recent
cold snap permitted dealers i'm heavy
wearing apparel TO work off stocks that
promised to become burdensome. It IS
significant that business placed in most
lines and sections during the past two
months exceeds that Of a year ago-a
very active period.
Opinions as TO the outlook for the
second half Of the year vary, yet it is
felt that pause would not be unwel-
eome-in fact, would have a SOLDERING
effect on many lines that are now sold
very far ahead and for which heavy con-
tracing stiTl continues. Manufacturing
IS active the country over. and finished
lines of iron and steel are as brisk as
heretofore. though pig iron markets are
quiet. which is not unreasonable in view
Of the high prices and the contracts
placed earlier IN the season.
Believed Tide Has Turned in Sugar.
The grain markets have been irregu-
larry strong. taking the week as a whole.
Pig iron markets continue quiet.
THE wool market displays marked
firmness. and more activity has developed
in doi,.szs.- as we'll as foreign grades.
Cuban sugar production and shipments
are very large. and cane-sugar prices are
still far below a parity with European
beet sugar. but the claim is that the tide
has turned. and certainly raw sugar is
fracti0nally higher here than week ago.
Railroads in States eXacting lower pas
sengeT rate fares show a disposition %
accept the legislation, pending determi-
nation Of the effect upon their business.
Speculation iu the New York stock
market is nervous and Irregular, prices
having had only a partial recovery from
Il decided depression due to the revela-
tons made before the Interstate Com
merce Commission regarding Union Pa
cine and Alton affairs"
Oun = eFf2Ag hFfteNs
New York. March l-Dun's Review will
say tomorrow:
"Jobhing trade in dry goods and mil
linery for spring distribution continues
the most active commercial feature, @
large attendance of country buyers plac-
Ing liberal orders at the leading centers.
and it is the exception when transactions
are not equal TO those of a year ago
while substantial gains are often record
ed. Commercial and manufacturing
activity is not affected by the weakness
OF securities. nor is there any Indication
of stock market depression in railway
earnings thus far reported for February.
these being % per cent heavier than q
year ago.
Leading industries have orders cover
ing full production many months I'm ad-
vance. steel mills falling farther behind
with deliveries because of new business
greater than the daily rate of output
Scarcity of cotton goods in primary mar
6ets is responsible for another general
advance in prices, and shipments OF foot
wear We're greater than in the same week
last year.
Pig Iron Market steady.
"Stcadiness is the dominant feature
disposition is noted ON the part Of pig
iron consumers 10 insist on concessions.
but as most furnaces need no new BUSH
ness before July, and some are sold up
10 the last quarter of the year. prices
are firmly held. and few contracts are
placed. Quotations are. therefore, uOmi-
nal. representing the price at which sales
could be effected or were last made
More advances in prices of cotton
goods in the primary market testify 10
the inability OF the mills to handle the
business in sight and the urgency of de
mand from second hands that were not
prepared for the needs of distributors
The slight rise in cost of raw material
had no bearing on the situation, no atten-
ton having been paid TO that factor for
some time past
New business at New England foot
wear factories is chiefly limited 10 sup
Elementary orders from Eastern jObbers
for late spring and early summer deliv-
cry. Small contracts for fan goods APP
pear occasionally, but # is still somewhat
early for activity in This department As
most shops have orders assuring activity
for two months or more, there is no I'M
casiness regarding the next season, but
wholesalers may have difficulty in secur-
ing satisfactory deliveries il the placing
OF orders is deferred 900 long Local
lobbing trade is most satisfactory.
"lrregularjty IN farm staples was due
90 numerous conflicting influences, with
little net variation for the week. Wheat
was first 10 advance in response to ca
bles indicating very heavy needs i'm Rus
STA that were expected TO prevent further
competition from that nation III TIE i'm
porting markets, and there was the fur
Their support of a larger export demand
than could be supplied
Commercial failures this week in the
United States. pa, against ii last week.
22S the preceding week, and 236 the CORE
spending week last year. Failures i'm
Canada, L. against Z last week. s the
preceding week. and 81 last year"