The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-29
THE PAST WEEK HAS BEENENCOURAG|NG Better Weather and Favor
 able Crop Reports INCREASED ORDERS Heavy Consumption of Finished Steel Noted and Also Higher Prices
 for Plates, Shapes and Bars
 

New York, June 2S-Bradstreets' tomor- row will say:
 Better weather. favorable crop reports, increased orders for future delivery, bet ter retail trade heavy consumption of finished steel, which taxes mill produc- ing capacity, and higher prices for plates, shapes and bars comprise the leading features of the week. With trade in larger lines decreasing a natural pro- ceeding at this season of the year, when wholesale dealers and jobbers are about to take stock to find out how they stand from the viewpoint of profits and to make preparations for fall and beyond there is some hesitancy.
 Jobbers, especially those purveying sta pie goods. have done a little better in the way of recorders. As general prop ostion these distributors especially those engaged in selling the various lines of dry goods. are doing little on regular spot business, although clearance sales of odds and ends, suitable bargain coun- ters of retail dealers, tend to prevent marked dullness. . A
 As the season ends primary dry goods markets are in good shape, jobbers have made fair profits on past business, stocks are not burdensome in position and the underlying fiImness of prices creates the impression that higher quotations on some goods are in prospect.
 In quick orders the trade. is fairly good. Sales of fall and winter footwear by man. ufacturers to wholesale houses, however, are hampered by higher prices.
 Collections are fair except in the south, where trade conditions continue slow, wherefore payments still lag
 Business failures for the week ending June 27 in the United States were 239, against 266 last week, 227 in the like week of 1911, 197 in 1909, 231 in 1908 and 236 in 1907. Business failures for the week in Canada number 1S which contrasts with 2l last week and 31 in the like week of last year.
 Wheat, including flour. exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending June 27, aggregate 3,1S753l bushels, against 4,734035 last week, and 2,07s, 405 this week last year. For the b2 weeks ending June 27, exports are 172- 369049 bushels, against 122,S73761 in the corresponding period last year.
 Corn exports for the week are 149,635 bushels, against 59,463 last week and SIS, S4s in 1911
 For the 52 weeks ending June 27 corn exports are sS, SS1, ,2S9 bushels, against 5o- 254,S17 last year.
 New York, June 2S.-R. c. Dunn and Co.'S weekly review of trade will say:
 The first half of the year will close with much of actual achievement in the better ment of business and of much promise for the remainder of the year The actual achievement is chiefly In the increased ac- tivity due to the need of replenishing de- pleted stocks and of supplying the press ing wants of growing population. The promise held out for the remainder of the year rests mostly on the strengthened confidence of manufacturers, traders and investors and on the favorable prospects for the crops.
 Semi inventories check the vol nme of business to some extent at this season and there is also temporary clos ing of some mills and factories. Aggre- gate transactions. however, continue to expand over the two preceding years as is evidenced by bank clearings Some let ting up is noticed in the railroad demand for steel, but this is largely compensated for by the consumption of plates, bars and structural material so that higher prices for certain steel products are announced.
 The dry goods trade in It's various divis- ions is in a wholesome position. Print cloths and convertibles continue active. Advance sales of wooden dress goods are large and prices are higher Raw wools are strong Worsted yarns have advanced and the export and retail trades in all branches for the season are excellent. Leather is dull but hides are more active. The New England shoe manufacturers are in possession of sufficient orders to keep their mills going and are confident of an improving distribution as the year advances. Reports from all the leading cities indicate a conservative betterment both in volume of activity and in business confidence.