New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-29
large rail contract for 1914 will soon be

large rail contract for 1914 will soon be
placed"
Bradstreets comments as follows:
"Distributive trade has held the centre
of the stage this week. and in this line
drygoods. clothing and wearing apparel
generally have been most active, both at
wholesale and retail. Trade tendencies in
general. however, are onward. and though
there are enough exceptions to prevent
uniformity, business affairs show further
Improvement. This manifestation may
very properly be correlated 10 the fact
that stocks everywhere are light, that
rains in the Southwest have superinduced
a better feeling there, that colder weather
over a wide area in the fore part of the
week furnished a reminder that heavy
goods were needed, besides aftording
stimulus to retail trade. and that the
crop movement has enlarged. with farm
produce prices especially remunerative,
this latter feature being reflected in some
what improved collections. Most reports
indicate that trade is better than it was
at this time last year. Moreover, money
appears to be a little easier. and although
credits are being closely watched, mer-
camille borrowers are more readily &C
commodated. Exports of grain are heavy
from both coasts, and the Orients de-
mand for -four is of considerable volume
Evidently consumption Of steel products
is large, and for that reason prices OH
finished goods reflect but relatively small
concessions. Consumers Of pig iron con-
tinue TO cover requirements likely to en-
sue during the first part of 1914, and while
l. aall n
tanned. Machinery markets reflect irreg-
ular conditions. some reporting improve
ment, with others showing quietness
Trade IN coal is improving. ana the price
level is firm. In fact, some markets re-
port a scarcity of bituminous grades for
prompt delivery. Copper is dull; con-
sumers display little interest in the mar
ket, but prices aside from the offerings
of few producers at slight concessions
are firm. Railroad traffic in the Middle
West is heavy. but west of the Missouri
River it shows a loss. and expectations
suggest further reduction. Stock mar
ket operations continue dull, with price
movements generally rejecting reaction
airy trends, though exceptions are found
where as in Union Pacific. short covering
has been forced. Commodity markets re-
fleet easing, due to enlarged new spring
wheat and other cereal movement. but
new high prices Of the year for cotton.
reports from which do not improve
though it might be pointed out that the
movement is still In excess of amy pre-
ceding year, for which, however, the high
prices may be partly responsible.
In the East pre-eminent features com
prehend activity in drygoods. inability TO
make prompt deliveries. firm prices In
consonance with the cost Of raw cotton,
more or less scarcity at mill centres OF
efficient help and little talk Of tariff
changes. Western reports are of sus-
tanned activity. improved retail trade,
thanks TO cold weather; expressions of
optimism regarding the future and salts
factory reports as to the prospective buy
ing power Of farmers. In the Southwest
rains and cooler weather have. on the one
hand. improved fall pasturage and made
for increased winter wheat acreage, and,
on the other, stimulated trade in most
quarters. Throughout the Northwest &C
tivity continues. and though retail trade
has been hampered by chilly. damp
weather, merchants campaigns TO in
crease sales have 10 some extent mega
tived the effects Of meteorological infiu-
ences. Southern reports exhibit improve
ment, some betterment in collections and
profitable prices for cotton, which make
Tor optimism i'm the country districts. In
the Pacific Northwest trade Is quite salts
factory, except in lumber, In which in
dustry stocks are heavy, and curtailment
Of mill outputs Is spreading