The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-27
INDUSTRIAL LINES
u WELL EMPLOYED
Volume of Business Quite
Up to Normal
ADVANCES IN STEEL
Better Demand and Higher Prices
This Week for Copper-Excellent
Crop Prospects Promise
Larger Railroad Traffic

New York, July PR. G. Dunn &c
Cos weekly review of trade tomor-
row will say:
Statistics of trade movements tell
of a volume of business quite up to
normal. That industrial lines are well
employed is indicated by the advances
in products of iron and steel and by
the better demand and higher prices
this week for copper
Generally excellent crop prospects
promise a larger traffic over the rail-
roads and increased purchasing of
equipment is noted as a result. Dur
ing the past week orders for about
10000 cars and 900 locomotives were
placed while the buying movement is
expected to gain momentum at an early
date. In other finished steel new de-
mands have fallen off, yet the volume
of business still is very satisfactory
for the midsummer season. In spite of.
hot weather and a shortage of labor,
production has not been materially cur
tailed the leading interest operating
at approximately 80 per cent of ca
pacity and the independent plants be-
ing buster than for two years. Several
price advances have been named, in
Guiding a rise of 81 ton on wire
products and premiums continue to be
paid for prompt deliveries of plates and
shapes. There is an upward trend in
sheets, the mills being well supplied
with contracts several months ahead.
Crude steel is becoming scarcer and
some manufacturers have practically
withdrawn from the market
A moderate trade is noted In cotton
goods. Numerous buyers are in the
market and show some anxiety as TOT
supplies for future requirements as
stocks in all positions are believed to
be very small. Higher prices have
been announced for some grades and
the market throughout is very strong.
The demand for woolens Is about all
that could be desired and raw wool is
readily taken at the higher prices
asked. The shoe trade makes a fur
Their gain this week and New England
and other manufacturers constantly re-
ceive some additional orders. but the
higher prices still tend to check bust
ness.
Prices in leather and hides move up
ward and available supplies are APP
pditHtiy ltQuttO. IISlt. lS no
tion of undue speculation in any di-
rection to threaten future stability and
the firmer values in practically all de-
partments of trade are sustained by the
constantly increasing requirement of
consumers.
New York, July 26-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say:
This weeks reports furnish a YER
liable budget of good news. Practically
every crop prospect pleases. current
tradb is of seasonable volume, buying
for fall and beyond is expanding. the
iron and steel industry is oversold,
labor is scarce, the railroads are pre-
paring5 for a heavy traffic in the au-
tumn, gross earnings are improving;
just now. no one seems to be much con-
oerned about political matters and al
though retail dealers have to cut
profits to move stocks business has
been stimulated Expansion in trade is
most visible in the northwest. Eastern
centers also note an uplift.
Print cloths are firm with staple
goods showing activity. Deliveries of
dress goods and mems wear are so
far behind as to cause clothing man
nfacturers some concern and mill agents
reserve the right to advance prices any
time. In the knit goods and hosiery
line business for next spring is ex-s
panding and purchasers oil washed lad
RIGS and fancy cottons are sampling
quite literally in preference to buying
freely for the spring of 1918. Premiums
have to be paid to warehouses for
prompt shipment of steel products and
advances are noted on wire, skelp and
light rails, while the scarcity of labor.
which commands relatively good pay,
tends to restrict outputs, However, new
business is somewhat under shipments,
but. ya.lroad buying of cars is more lib
eraI Pig iron is higher and in the
west is more active.
Business failures in the United States
for the week ending July 20 were 252
against 2S3 last week, 241 in the like
week of 1911. 200 in 1910, 223 in 1903, |
and 375 in 1908.
Business failures In Canada for the |
week number 26, which compares with !
90 last week and 22 in the correspond
ing week of last year
Wheat including flour, exports from
the United States and Canada for the
week ending July 25 aggregate $685.
e5S bushels against 1.9S4,456 last week
and 2,514204 this week last year.
For the four weeks ending July 25
exports are 9.530,359 bushels against
7,3s9.067 in the corresponding period
last wear. Corn exports for the week
are 99,422 bushels against 44954 last
week and 350,09S in 1911. For the four
weeks ending July % corn exports are
s5s,307 bushels against 2,759,o27 last