New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-09
VERY CHEERFUL VIEW
Trade and Industry Growing in
Volume Each Week.

VOlume GaCn week.
Commercial agency and other report.
are especially optimistic in their tone. and
give brighter reviews than in former
weeks. "Bradstreets" says, in part:
Every prospect pleases, and trade con-
tinues its onward march. Cumulative
strength appears TO be the order of the
day. The qulckening impulses of better
things are extending to sections that here
tofore have been relatively backward,
and, what is most significant. garnered
crops contribute even higher yields than
were anticipated a fortnight ago. with
those yet to be gathered-corn and cotton
giving evidence of astonishingly good
progress. The crop situation is such az TO
generate optimism. the influences of
which on trade are clearly apparent all
over the West. That nature has been re-
markedly beneflcent IS seen In the third
largest wheat crop On record, the heavi-
est oats crop ever gathered. an unsur-
passed yield Of hay as well az OF pota-
toes. with prospects OF n bumper corn
crop and a pienteous yield OF cotton. the
present promise being for the second
basic factors radiate influences that are
reflected in liberal activity in manufactur-
ing and tobbing lines. with practically
every branch of business contributing TO
the uplift. Steel business was never bet
ter, specifications in August were OF rec
ord proportions, pig iron is active at an
unprecedented rate OF production, and
higher prices have been named on a
number Of finished lines. Jobbers Of dry
goods have enjoyed good house trade
despite the holidays, visiting buyers still
being in evidence. and road sales arc
larger, while business for spring IL open
ing In a good way with first hands. While
It is evident that early buying OF dry
goods by secondary factors was not or
sufficient proportions 10 cover require
ments, tobbers seem content TO 20 10 first
hands only when demands warrant
Special brands ~ gnghsms for next
spring are quoted at higher prices. ard
bids for gray print cloths for 1918 have
been declined by the mills because they
were too low. when fall festivals have
been held in parts Of the Northwest and
Southwest the attendance has been OF
record proportions, money is being circu-
lated freely. and. naturally. trade. retail
as we'll as wholesale. has been benefited.
In fact Southwestern reports indicate
that trade resembles that Of 1907 and the
hotels have been taxed to accommodate
the iniIuy. In view Of the uniformly goo
reports, II is hardly necessary 10 specify
the lines that enjoy activity, though in adj
dition TO drygoods and its allied branches
groceries, hardware, lumber. builders ma
teria in general and -four and leather arc
all active. Trade I'm shoes is held mp 10
some extent by high prices. but good
average business is being done. Trade
with manufacturers Of tewclry is increas-
Ing. Wool is slightly less active presum-
ably because Of tho intervention OF holi-
DAYS Export trade in -four from the
Puget Sound may he affected by increased
freight rates, an advance OF from g. 50 a
ton TO $3.50 having been forced by ves-
sci owners. who demand 50 20 for space
next month. In fact the general situation
as regards ocean rates. now close 10 pro-
hibitory levels, is such "a 10 threaten the
speedy movement 81 export articles from
this country, If il docs not absolutely
check forwardnss Of some lines. At this
iuncture high rates are especially en-
barrassinr. and tend 10 create somewhat
OF an artificial price factor. Trade I'm coal
is improving, and scarcity OF anthracite
is still pronounced. Thanks to q heavy
crop movement and enlarged shipments OF
general merchandise for fall distribution.
traffic on the railroads has increased. fears
Of a car shortage prevail and even now
there is paucty OF such vehicles in the
grain belt. Because Of the large crop
movements collections are easier 10 make
though the situation in this respect is not
uniformly favorable. However. further
improvement may ensue when the South
moves its cotton volume
Dow. Jones & Go. I'm their industrial
review run as follows
industrial corporations and different
lines Of business In general seem to he
taking on additional strength although
many conservative business men predict
ed a breathing spell I'm July and August.
Instead of a lull. orders and specification
have increased. The steel companies. p
well as many other Industrial corpora
tons. are further behind In deliverios
than AT any time since the Improvement
began.
THE wire Industry IL regarded a. one
OF the best barometers Of the general
trend Of trade. Wire is consumed largely
by the great agricultural districts. and
when farming conditions are poor Il IL
certain the wire business viii move I'm
sympathy. The American Steel and Wire
recently has been receiving
at the rate Of 5000 tons a
day, which IL close to Is per cont in eX-
cess OF actual capacity. The growth OF
the wire business is evident from the fact
that ten years ago the American Steel
and Wire Company had a capacity Of not
much more than 800 tons day.
"Thc last week has witnessed further
advances in steel prices which can now
he regarded as normal. so far az business
calling for immediate delivery is con
cerned. In some cases prices range from
81 to - a ton above the level prevailing
during the severcst period Of the recent |
depression.
Record breaking production and in |
creased prices mean that the steel COM !
panies are going 10 make an excellent |
showing in earnings from now on. The !
Steel Corporations earnings in the last !
quarter OF this year may be in excess of |
expectations. but II is unlikely that in
come in the current quarter will show !
much change from the popular estimate !
Of $50 10000 Steel mills have been forced |
TO ship a large amount of low priced bust