The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-22
UNIFORM REPORTS
 SHOW SATISFACTION Clear Signs of Active Prep
 aration for Fall Trade CAPACITIES TAXED
Big Demand for Basic Materials. Broadening in Demand for Cot ton Goods-Improved
 Crop Reports

New York, June 21.-R c. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say.
 Rarely are the reports from leading trade centers in different sections so uniformly satisfactory. In most cases an actual widening demanded is noted and in others there are clear signs of preparation for an active fall trade. The weather Is ideally favorable both for wholesale and retail distribution and for the growing crops. 5 The gradual movement towards a higher price basis in iron and steel denotes unusual activity. In eastern territory the situation reflects increased strength with pipemakers continuing steady buyers
 The demand for basic materials is taxing capacity and orders for struc- tural steel show a substantial total. With few exceptions finished lines are booked ahead through a third quarter. Heavy steel melting scrap remains at s13.50 tPittsburg), but holders of stocks are not inclined to accept much future
 business at this figure. It is now more difficult to obtain Bessemer and open
 hearth biliets for prompt shipment and
 the quotations of s2o.5o. and s21 tPitts- burg) respectively, are the minimum. | Labor conditions are causing some concern, the scarcity of workers inter- fering with operations at many points. Demand for spot goods has improved
 with jobbers of drygoods, The retail | trade is growing more freely for quick shipments of small lots.
 There is a distinct broadening in the demand for cotton goods and advances | have established in wide print cloths and convertibles new records Printers and convertors have been buying for delivery into October. Brown sheet ings and drills are firmer and export demnad from miscellaneous ports is steady. Recorders for fall cottons are coming in moderately with the best business in printed shirtings and per cales.
 The situation in woolens and wor- steds continues satisfactory and ad- vances are named by the largest pro- ducers. Cotton yarns are firmer and slightly higher and some fair sized orders are being rendered on worsted yarns
 The seasons when the shoe factories close for few weeks is at hand but an active fall business is looked for and the New England footwear mark ct shows improvements. Leather Is very firm.
 | New York, June 1.-Bradstreet's to- morrow will say: Improved crop re- ports and continued activity in indus | trial circles present the more pleas ing aspect of an otherwise quiet trade situation. Jobbers and wholesale deal CTS In textiles and dressed goods are taking fabrics for fall and spring, and In some instances mems wear for ex- ample, reoders are noted for the high CT prices of raw wool seem to presage higher quotations on finished goods. An advance of 5 per cent already has been made on broad cloth and worsted yarn probably will go higher The general tendency Is to operate cautiously to give some attention to politics and to await clearer views as to probable crop results. However, there is no pessimism and it is note- worthy that political matters, while receiving attention, diverting interest | from buying, at 1t were, do not cause any real concern. The best situated
 
 | tions against contracts are especially heavy with blast furnaces and mills operating to nearly full capacity. This I industry is best by a shortage of labor, which seems to have displayed drift | ing tendency.
 Shoes at wholesale are dull because
 of high prices. Leather is quite active and strong with sole leather leading. | but hides are easier. Collections are | not above fair, and in fact many points report them to be very slow, this be-
 ing especially true of the south where trade continues dull.
 1 Business failures in the United States for the. week ending June 20 were 266, | against 266 last week, 22 in the like week of 1911. 1S7 in 1910, 223 in 1908
 and 250 in 1908 Business failures in Canada for the week number 21 which compares with 21 for last week and 17 | for the like week of 1911.
 Wheat. including flour. exports from the United States and Canada for the
 week ending June 20 aggregate 4,734, 034 bushels, against 3.652.14S last week and 1.53S,478 this week last year Fol the 51 weeks ending June 20 exports are 169,20S,518 bushels. against 12O,- 795,356 In the corresponding period last year. Corn exports for the week arc 5s.463 bushels, against 73,374 last weel and 907.636 in 1911. For the 51 weeki ending June 20, corn exports are 33., 231,e04 bushels, against 49.s40,96 las year.