The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-13
EASTER TRADE WAS FAIR ON THE WHOLE Business Generally Better.
 Than Last Year FAVORABLE OUTLOOK Higher Level of Prices Ruling in Iron and Steel Trades--Higher Prices for Cotton Goods-Optimism
 PredOminates

New York, April 12.-Bradstreets tomor row will say:
 Trade and industrial developments are largely favorable and conservative op- timism predominates. Jobbing trade re- ports include advices of a quieting of spring demand at large eastern centers, with attention turning to late summer and fall trade, but of an improvement nearer points of final distribution, except, as in the lower Mississippi valley, where high water holds back agricultural operations gand .retards sales to country merchants. Easter trade was irregular, but fair on the swhole, and generally better than last year. In industrial lines features are the continuous idleness of the country's coal miners pending possible settlements now under negotiation, the quieting down of the textile labor situation as advances are offered and accepted, and the pros poets of an expenditure for building for the first quarter not much behind last year, but with a majority of cities still reporting decreases, however. In the iron and steel trades there is a higher level of prices ruling, with the growth of feeling that this is, to a certain extent curtailing some demand. It is also feh that higher prices for cotton goods and the backwardness of deliveries may have some effect upon future orders, those for summer and fall, which are engaging 1obbers' attention, now that regular spring demand has measurably quieted.
 Business failures in the United States for the week ending April Il were 234, against 261 last week, 233 in the like week of 1911, 2O5 in 1910, POI in 1909 and 2e1 in 1908. Business failures in Canada for the week number 9, which contrasts with 23 last week and 2S in the like week of 1911.
 Wheat, including flour, exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending April aggregate 26lo,2so bushels, against 3,41,542 last week ana l. 633502 this week last year. For the ui weeks ending April Il exports are 121,- l267l l07 bushels, against 96. 324 234 in the cor responding period last year. Corn exports for the week are 352,555 bushels, against 3S4,300 last week and 1,179,140 in 1911. For the fl weeks ending April Il corn exports are 31,75s, AT bushels, against 42,2lS,lSl last year.
 New York. April 12.-R. G. Dun & Co.'s rvekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 The principal industries and trades maintain their recent gains in activity, and an amount of business is carried on which. although still below the full limit of capacity, shows nevertheless, distinct advance, and Is on the whole very satisfactory. The good spring wealth CT generally prevailing is producing re- newed activity in building operations, which creates a larger demand for the various building materials. It also faci- ftates the distribution of merchandise, both wholesale and retail, and from a number of important points in the mid dle west and northwest come reports of expanding operations. With this general maintenance of the recent growth in in- dustral and trade activity, there Is, also, a fairly steady continuance of the recent notable gains in business confidence, in spite of the temporary effect of passing events, which affect in some degree the speculative markets.
 Mill operations continue to expand in iron and steel, and the leading interest is now running at over 90 per cent or capacity. Contracts have been placed by fhe car companies for about 60000 tons of plates and shapes for delivery dur ing the second and third quarters and In the central west a scarcity of plates for early shipment has developed. Tin plate and sheet mills are booked almost flo capacity. and in wire goods more ac- tlvity is noted.
 While the demand for cotton goods Is somewhat less pronounced, the market rules very firm, and further advances have been named in a number of lines. Export trade is quieter because of price advances and the heavy buying of re- cent weeks. All reports agree that trade tn woolens and worsteds is fair, and probably will expand still further, as re- orders fin fine dress fabrics for fall have already begun. tailors to the trade are duplicating and salesmen on the road are getting a better business than at this time a year ago. Cotton knitting yarns have advanced. and worsteds spinners are being pressed for deliveries
 Trading in footwear improved as the season advances. but there is no active buying. as most wholesalers are oper- ating conservativelv on account of high prices and unsettled styles. Leather maintains its recent rate of progress Domestic hides. both packer and country are more active again and sales are larger than for several weeks previously