New-York tribune., 1912-02-24
CONDITION OF TRADE.
.'pun's Review" says:

large volume of business is doing, but
because it does not break previous records
and does not progressively and steadily in
crease there is a disposition TO describe
whereas the situation Is, In fact, as good as
could reasonably be expected in a year
when a Presidential campaign tends 10 re-
fard enterprise Outside of this quadren-
nial influence there is no ground for loud
complaint. The iron and steel trade Is, in
deed, less active. though several large or
SSSSss for steel cars, ties, locomotives and
brLEes nave come in. The drygoods trade
~ Ic,h of It's difsions--cotton and woollen
displays increased interest, activity ana
strength. The milder weather has benented
the distribution of merchandise. The gen.
eral situation Of labor is improved; there IS
a large Surplus of labor in some cities, but
in other places there is a deficiency. A
better distribution would relieve distress.
Agricultural conditions are promising and a
heavy fall of snow makes for Improvement.
Demand for -four is reviving. Copper sup
plies decrease under the pressure Of in
creased demand. Leather is in fair demand
and firm. Financial conditions are prac-
tically unchanged. The securities market
Is very dull The railroad freight move"
ment is satisfactory IN spite Of the season,
and during two weeks of February gross
earnings increased 40 per cent. The spe9cu-
latiYe depression is responsible for railing
of OF SO and rs per cent, respectively, IN
bank clearings at New York this week in
comparison with 1911 and 1910; but outside
" New 1 OIk lntIt dlt SOOo Sans VI w.
per cent end 80 per cent over the two pre-.
ceding yeeTs. Foreign commerce from the
Port OF New York, nearly one-hait that
cf the country amounted In the latest week
10 S73el, 81, against S33. 405 In 1911 and
SH.7H,T23 in 1910. The exports Of cotton
goods are noticeably heavy.
.Bradstreet's" says:
Many visiting buyers have been I'm the
leading markets this week, and as result
house trading has shown further slight eX-
ing 70 best advantage. On the other hand.
road sales have been deferred by unfavor-
able weather conditions, heavy snowstorms,
high winds. rains and low temperatures
over a wide area OF the country having
1niltated against easy travelling and free
tfafle movements. The West and South
~est have suffered most from adverse
spring sales at retail were beginning to en-
large setbacks have been experienced,
though Winter goods were helped TO good
degree, thus making further inroads OH
already light stocks. Moreover, visiting
buyers still display a noteworthy leaning
70 conservatism, and such being the case,
The outlook tends to favor steady rather
sections Of the country. particularly those
catering TO cotton and winter wheat terri
tory, there is a disposition 70 exercise eau
ZION about taking full orders from retail
merchants, this policy being due TO the fact
that many final distributors are backward
n paying old accounts From all that has
been written, II would appear that the
weeks developments save for the gains
MADE in house trade. have been somewhat
irregulsr; but despite temporary retarding
lnnuencts undercurrents in most markets
indicate further conservative Improvement.