The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-24
TRADE AS GOOD AS COULD BE EXPECTED Especially in Year When a Presidential Election Is on STEEL IS LESS ACTIVE However, Several Large Orders Have Been Receiyed-WhOlesale Dry
 Goods Display Further Sea-
 sonable Activity
STEEL IS LESS ACTIVE

New York, February 23-R. q. Dun & will say:
 A large volume of business is moving, but because it does not break previous records and does not progressively and steadily increase, there is disposition to describe trade conditions as less than satisfactory; whereas. the situation is, in fact, as good as could reasonably be eX- pected in year when presidential cam paign lends to retard enterprise. outside of this quadrennial influence there is no ground for loud complaint. The iron and steel trade is indeed, less active, though several large orders for steel cars, ties, locomotives and bridges have come in. As to prices terms are modified in some in- stances according to the desirabiity of the order. Moderate sales have been made of foundry and basic iron, but Bessemer is rather quiet; the later is still nominally s1I and basic iron SIP 9, valley, while billets 4x4 both Bessemer and open hearth are quoted $20 and sheet $2l Pittshurg. Conferences over rail specifications are at tracting more attention, increased orders being expected owing to the heavy break age caused by the extreme cold weather
 The wholesale dry goods markets ds- play further seasonabie activity, an in- creasing volume of orders appearing in jobbing and primary departments with ad- vancing prices and retailers operating carefully but broadly in wide range of fabrics. Mills stocks of many staples have been cleaned vp and looms in nu- merous instances are under order for the next 60 to 90 days. The greatest strength continues in drills, sheetinss, ducks and heavy colored clothes, but fine cotton goods also showed definite improvements Export trade is good, recent sales includ- ing 1000 bales of three yard sheetings to China at 6s4 cents 2000 bales Of standard prints to India at "A cents and many miscellaneous lots for the Red Sea and Africa. Business in woolens and worsted Is expanding and prices show an upward tendency Yarns rule very firm and there is a moderate improvement in the demand for silks. (
 Business in the New England footwear market continues quiet. orders are coming in moderately and most factories are suf- ficiently supplied with contracts to keep them employed for few weeks
 There is some talk of higher prices for iall or account Ol tut pitStil coi'itfoil7 in hides and leather. The latter is still very firm with the tendency of prices against buyers,
 New York. February 23.-Bradstreets to- morrow will say:
 Many visiting buyers have been in the leading markets this week, and as a re- suit house trade has shown further slight expansion with dry goods and millinery figuring 10 best advantage. on the other hand, road sales have been deterred by unfayorabe weather conditions The west and southwest have suffered most, and where early spring sales at retail were beginning to enlarge, setbacks have been experienced Though winter goods were helped to a good degree, thus making fur ther inroads on already light stocks. More over visiting buyers still display a note worthy leaning to conservatism, and such being the case the outlook tends to favor steady rather than voluminous trade. In some sections of the country. particu- larly those catering to cotton and winter wheat territory. there is a disposition to exercise caution about taking full or ders from retail merchants, this policy be- ing due to the fact that many final dis tributors are backward in paying old ac- counts.
 In the dry goods markets demand from retail merchants is broadening, supplies are wanted promptly in comparatively small parcels, and on some makes of heavy cottons the mills are pretty well sold ahead. Export business in the coarser makes of goods is characterized by steady demand for fair quantities.