The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-26

New York, Jan. 25.-Duns weekly re-
view will say tomorrow:
Low temperature and snow at many
points stimulated retail demand for staple
merchandise. but retarded movement of
freight which was beginning to show
noteworthy improvement. Distribution
of heavyweight clothing, footwear, and
other winter goods was very large during
the past week. reducing stocks that il
was feared would be carried over on ac-
count OF the mild season. Wholesale and
jobbing trade in dry goods for spring de
livery was also liberal many cities re-
porting this forward business in excess
of all previous records.
Much damage has been done by floods,
destroying property and restricting bus
mess. but these drawbacks had only local
significance and did not prevent a sub
stdntial net gain for the week in all COM
mercial channels.
Leading manufacturing industries re-
port a steady volume of new business.
assuring full operation Of plants far into
the future and maintaining high prices
Tor all raw materials.
Railway earnings thus far reported for
January were 1873 per cent larger than a
year ago, and foreign commerce at this
point alone for the last week showed
gains of $5,6l1, 400 in imports and S,27o,5l7
IN exports as compared with the same
week In 1906.
Money became easier in response 10 the
stronger position of the associated banks.
but there was little improvement in
prices or activity Of securities, 20 which
may be attributed the loss Of III per cent
IN bank exchanges at New York. AT
other leading cities there was an average
gain of'6.3 per cent.
Iron and steel Steady.
"A gratifying steadiness is noted in the
iron and steel industry mills receiving a
volume Of new business that readily sus-
tlins prices. yet there is little evidence
OF abnormal activity or speculative in
flation of quotations.
Strength is readily maintained in pri-
mary markets for cotton goods by a Wig
Or0us demand and a scarcity Of supplies
for immediate delivery, while in several
lines there have been further advances in
prices.
attendance OF shoe jobbers in the Bos-
ton market has decreased. and in another
week the balance viii probably conclude
purchases.
Supplementary spring business has
continued heavy. assuring all New Eng
land manufacturers of steady work for
weeks TO come.
Shoe retailers report much activity in
response 10 the recent fall in tempera-
ture.
Commercial failures this week in the
United States are rs. against 262 last
10 ID 1as
corresponding week last year. Failures in
Canada number Il, against p last week
20 the preceding week, and 20 last year.
Bradstreet's Report.
Bradstreets will say:
While weather conditions are still bar
TO widespread activity in trade and indus
try. evidences of improvement in spring
demand and charging shipments are a
feature Of the week Additionally favor
able items are an expansion in the grain
markets. long stagnaut, based apparently
on better export inquiry; rather more
cheerful advices from South Atlantic
States heretofore reporting trade and col
lections backward a decided easing Of
time money, with a resumption of demand
for commercial paper, and good reports
from the winter wheat crop, which looks
we'll I'm the Ohio Valley and promises ex-
cellently in Texas.
Current weekly returns of gross railway
earnings, partial as they are show gains
over the extremely good reports Of last
January. but net earnings are being
Whitfield down by increased cost Of opera
ton. following moderate gross receipts
of preceding months. Large jObbers in
dry goods III the East report better trade,
jewelry men, who have mad good c0llec-
tiOns on winter sales, report buyers push
ing for spring goods, and some factories
running overtime, and paper mills are
crowded with orders. Colder weather
South has helped retail trade. and that
section, aside from a few localities, has
done well this year. having had next
tO-recOrd cotton crop selling at good
prices Retail clearance sales have been
a feature at many Northern markets. but
bad roads. following lOng-COntinued rains.
have affected country trade, and may
cause some scaling over of winter goods.
In the Northwest heavy SHOWS have
checked wheat movement, and coal trains
still have the right of way In that section
the result being beneficial 10 Western coal
trade, but checking sales and collections.
particularly i'm the Dakotas. In the Ohio
Valley rains and floods have retarded de
mand and transportation. and caused
heavy damage, but the failure of the ex-
pected freeze TO follow the floods is a
good point for winter wheat. Collections
are irregular, and will continue so till
roads become passable again. These aQ.-
diuOus, aside from the immensely nssAy
rains. however. are not Unus-s 81 e
winter period"
WEEKLY BANK CLEARINGS.