The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-23
MERCHANDISE GOES
 IN GOOD VOLUME Adverse Weather Conditions Fail to Have Effect DRY GOODS ACTIVE In the Iron and Steel Line More Ac- tivity in Foundry Iron-Some-
 what More Railroad
 Buying
DRY GOODS ACTIVE

New York. March 22.-B Bradstreets to-
 morrow will say:
 Though adverse weather conditions in
 various parts of the country tend to
 make for more or less irregularity in
 trade, merchandise continues to move
 from first hands In good volume. How ever, it is probable that while business
 has not retrograded it has not extended
 this being primarily due to the incen- ency of the weather and not to any di- intuition in wants. Conditions, based on the lightness of stocks in the hands of final purveyors, are really propitous, and growth in confidence. despite some unto- ward clouds in the field of labor, is one of the most characteristic features of the general situation
 Dry goods and coal remain in the fore front as regards activity. In the dry goods line advances on several kinds of goods have been made by the mills, and in view of the fact that stocks are light. that labor demands higher wages, and that production is still under normal, merchants, if they want goods, must not delay in placing orders at values sat- isfactory to the mills.
 Leather is not especially active, but prospects bearing on the future are good, and prices are expected to advance be- cause supplies are decreasing, raw ma terial is higher. and uses for other articles than shoes are being extended.
 It must not be overlooked that some sec tions of the country, those catering to the coal mining regions. and particularly bituminous mining, are inclined to go slow in making purchases pending clearer views as to the outcome of discussions over wage scales. In the iron and steel line there is more activity in foundry iron, the leading interest has adopted a frmer stand for higher prices and there is somewhat more railroad buying.
 Business failures in the United States for the week ending March A were 252. against 241 last week. 2S5 in the like week of 1911, 231 in 1910, 226 in 1909 and 2Ss in 19CS.
 Business failures in Canada number ST. which compares with 25 last week and 4 in the like week last year.
 Wheat, including flour. exports from the United States and Canada for the week ending March 2 aggregate a069,014 bushels, against 2,ss2,056 last week and g. 2 weeks ending March 21 exports were 11s,- 7SG, ,6S2 bushels, against 8,9T0,S25 in the period last year.
 Corn exports for the week are 39,74 bushels against S34, 100 last week and l. 510 7sS bushels in 1911. For the B weeks ending March q corn exports are 3O,2S, 1s2, against s7,sso 6so last year.
 New York March PAR. G. Dun & Co.'s weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 The tendency in the industries and trades .is toward a broader distribu- tion The increased activity Is in spite of the slow breaking Up of winter of unusual severity of pending con abroad and at home. inelud ing. as they do, the still unsettled coal strike in England and the disagree ment between coal operators and miners In this country. Other labor troubles, however. are less disturbing. The Law renee strike is virtually over while advances of wages of 5 10 10 per cent in the cotton goods trade indicate the hetterment in that direction. IL Is sig that the reports from the west now report the improved business sem timent and this in connection with the general unfavorable weather.
 Efforts to advance prices of iron and steel are meeting with some success. Pig iron is slightly firmer and there is some strengthening Tn steel bars. plates and shapes. With the approach of spring and the resumption of build ing structural material is more active and fabricating shops are fairly busy. business foots up to over 100, 900 tons and the erection of the new terminal at Detrc.t will call for a large tonnage The steel car plants could handle more business and rail- road orders are still isappointing. Bes- tin plate has broadene. moderately but. sheets are shaded anc new business is much less than capacity.
 The dry goods markets continue very firm and with broadening trade prices generally display an advancing ten dency Prints and print cloths continue very active and standard prints are to be advanced to 5 tents per yard, while regular print cloths are now quoted at s& cents. Ginghams are in brisk request and some lines or these and of cotton fannels are held at value on future delivery. In woolens some or the best selling lines are being eagerly sought but mills ar. unable to lh- crease their deliveries.
 Advances in some lines of mems fall wear have been made by certain factors and one large producer has advanced all of its staple and semi-staple wor Eteds , cents yard. The large staple dress goods mills have an abundance or orders and jobbers are doing better house trade. Cotton yarns are very firm. There is moderate business in silks for spring. Leather