The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-09
ELECTION HAS NO
 EFFECT ON TRADE Buying Continues Large in
 All Lines CAR SHORTAGE FELT Demands for Plates Brisk and Pre- miums Offered for Prompt Ship ments-Steel Scarce-Large
 Contracts Placed for Pipe
CAR SHORTAGE FELT

New York. November S-Bradst1eet's tomorrow will say
 Tho presidential election has come and gone with the barest possible apparent effect upon trade and industry Whether the election itself or its barest possible results. sweeping as they are. have thus far changed the optimistic undertone previously chnracterizing trade sentiment the situation in this respect presenting one of the most notable economic phe- nomena of recent times. In short na l. ural conditions coincident with heavy crop yields and consequent heavy con- srmptive requirements continue to pre- dominate in trade and industrial circles. Buying is large and in lines that may in the long run feel the effects of pros pective tarin schedules, business contin- res heavy with no talk of cancellations. Trade in staple lines is active with calls for immediate shipments feature while operations for forward shipments are en- larging. At the same time, demand for holiday goods is increasing and in dry goods markets for orders for the coming season are of good proportions.
 Incidentally most industries report well filled order books. which insures com Conspicuous in this respect are iron and steel plants. flour mills. furniture facto- ries and lumber mills. Two essential arr ticles. coal and groceries, are in brisk de- mand, while such needful commodities as dry goods, hats and caps, shoes and clothing are being taken in volume, not only for present, but for future require ments as well. All but very few sec tions contribute favorable reports, the negatives being furnished by a compara- lively small area in the South Atlantic states.
 Business failures in the United Sttates for the week ending November were 209 against 257 last week. 2s7 in the like week of 1911, 207 In 1910 2l1 in 1909 and 2s7 in 1908.
 Bushes failures for the week in Canada number. s5, which compares with 1S for last week and 32 in the like week of 1911.
 Wheat including flour exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending November ' aggregated 5,76S,72S bushels against 6,49s.275 last week and sss25s2O this week last year.
 For the 1e weeks ending November 2, exports are sO,277,sSS bushels against 5s.- 363,6l in the corresponding period last year. Corn exports for the week are 2, ,546 bushels against S1520 last week ana 27s,5o2 in 1911. For the 19 weeks ending November z, corn exports were 1,42S, ,S2G against 10,639 420 bushels last year.
 
 New York. November SIR. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 With the Balkan situation less men acing to world peace, though still serious. and with the uncertainties of the national election at an end, the business outlook is improved. This is reflected in the in- creased buoyancy of the field markets and in the continued expansion of trade and industry. A situation that is based upon an unprecedented movement of wheat and record breaker production of pig iron can be described by no other means than prosperity. Every depart ment of business experiences, the uplift and expansion which resulted first from the tremendous crops and second from the restored confidence and credit.
 Most of the current output of iron and steel is going directly into consumption and in many instances 1t Is for prompt deliveries. The shortage of cars consti- tutes a serious drawback. particularly in the coke regions, but labor conditions have improved. The buying movement by railroads already referred to has been accelerated by the fact that makers of equipment are expected to advance their prices in the near future. The demand for plates Is brisk and premiums are offered for prompt shipments, the normal quotation being s1 50 Pittsburg for shapes and plates.
 There is scarcity of steel, while sheet and tin mills have been headed by a lack of sheet bars and the supply of bll- lets Is not up to the demand. Large con tracts have been placed for line pipe and practically all finished departments are active and prices are firm. In pig iron Heavy inquiries are pending for first quarter delivery and December grades are strong at $17.50 valley, while basic ruled at $l675 valley. Coke is still in urgent demand and the furnace grade is quoted at S4 and si. 9 at oven The dry goods trade, both in cottons and woolens, Is active and strong and while there is some check 10 retail distribution, due to the weather the prospect is for Christ mas trading on a scale never before reached. The shoe trade is also active Hides continue very strong. Building supplies are in active demand The pa per trade continues to improve. There is steady demand for bitnminous and anthracite coal