The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-07
ORDERS FOR FUTURE
 DELIVERY LARGE Considerable VigOr Still Displayed in Trade PIG IRON LESS ACTIVE Buying of Steel Less Large Though Many Plants Have Orders Booked
 Through June-Southern
 Reports Cheerful
PIG IRON LESS ACTIVE

New York. December 6.-Bradstreet's tomorrow will say:
 Trade still display considerable vigor, irregularity of slackness In this or that quarter being offset by increased or sustained activity in many lines. Orders for future delivery continue extensively and holiday distribution probably ex- ceeds that of any previous season. Job bers have done well with holiday spe- cialties. On the other hand sales of winter weight goods have been ham, pered over a wide area by unreasonable mild weather and reorders received by jobbers are hardly up to seasonable ex- pectations. However, sentiment is still optimistic, which fact is corroborated by steady buying for future account.
 In the dry goods line scarcity of vari- ous makes of goods is very marked and while demand, taking the country as whole. shows no appreciable let up there is a tendency to discourage buy CTS from pushing in and bidding up market that is clearly short of supplies. Moreover, it is probable that high rates for money exert some Influence in this respect Manufacturers are very busy, shortages of help still affect textile out puts north and south and outdoor op- erations continue at brisk rate, thanks to mild weather.
 In the iron and steel lines. pig iron is less active and buying of steel has abated somewhat, but that industrial is so well filled up with orders, some plants being booked for the first half of next year and others for a larger period that Hull is not unexpected. Collections are good and even the southern reports are more cheerful, save at few points adversely affect ed by short cotton crop.
 Business failures in the United States for the week ending December were 2S5 against PAT last week, 267 in the like week of 1911, PCT in 1910, 259 in 1909 and 29S in 190S
 Business failures in Canada for the week ending December 5 was 23 and against 29 last week and 35 in cor responding week of last year.
 Wheat, including flour exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending December was 2S, 92303S bushels against 5,6S6,O17 last week and 3,391,5S this week last year. For the 23 weeks ending December 3 exports are 103,172,S19 bushels against 74,126,023 in the corresponding period last year. Corn exports for week are 69,151 bushels against 11,247 last week and 76,006 in 1911. For the 23 weeks ending December corn exports are 1,- 593,222 bushels against 11,213,36S bush els last year.
 New York, December 6-R. c. Dun and company's weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 Two events conspire to clear the busi- ness situation of disturbing uncertain ties-the signing of an armistice by me near eastern belligerents and the de- cision of the arbitratng committee avert ing railroad strike. The decision of the supreme court in the Union Pacific merger caused some unsettlement In the securities market. but has had no other effect Demand for iron and steel has suffered a slight check. The contrac- tion in new business is most noticeable in pig iron. but this was anticipated, owing to the extremely large purchase made recently. Some curtailment in rro- duction of pig iron in November was due to labor troubles, yet the daily rate es- tablished a new high record. Specifi- cations on finished products continue to come in and confidence is sustained for a period of activity extended we'll into next year. Rail buying is in heavy vol ume and there is an excellent demand for railroad supplies, including spikes bolts and rivets. The scarcity in crude and semi-fnished material has become more pronounced and a further advance in prices would not be unexpected. Pur- chases of sheets are still urgent, and premiums are paid for all descriptions. The cotton good markets coa-inue strong but there is growing conserva- tsm because of high prices, and !uying at first hands is less active. Jobbers. however. report very fair trade for the season, and there is a good demand for many domestic staples, convertibles and goods used in the converting trades. China bought 40G0 bales of standard drills for shipment in March and April. In woolens and worsteds spot demand for dress fabrics is seasonably quiet at first hands, but there are many goods to be delivered on old orders Large auanti- ties of cloakings are being used. Staple overcoatngs for fall have been opened at advances ranging from 10 to 15 per cent. Printed silks are coming forward III a strong way for spring and summer. and trade in ribbons is of fair proportions Woolen yarns have been advanced to the top level of the year.
 Shoe manufacturers are doing well with some seasonable hesitation noted Leather is firm. but quiet. and hides have developed further slight weakness.
 
 Ec,,r1 With Cr.rkod Skul1