New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-23
TRADE CONDITIONS GOOD
Continued Improvement in Most
Lines Due to Easter HOLIDAYS.

So''t"'uCu !IIlp UVCtIlcIll lIl mOSl
Lines Due to Easter HOLIDAYS.
commercial agencies report a material
Improvement In trade conditions as a
whole, and the balance Of foreign mer-
chandise account since the first Of the
year is still largely our favor. notwith-
standing our heavy imports. 'Dun's Re
view" says:
General business conditions continue
IN the main excellent. The volume OF
trade, both domestic and foreign. is heavy.
ailnouGh purchases are mostly for imme-
oiate requirements. While there is less
strain In the European markets and the
balkan situation has improved, tho none
'ary outlook abroad is still a matter of
some concern. This country has been
called upon again to export gold, and since
inc beginning of the year has sent abroad
about s46.000.000. The balance Of mer-
chandise exports over imports. however, is
heavily in our favor. amounting in Febru-
airy 10 over s44, 100000. Our foreign com
MERGE in February exceeded all previous
records for that month. During the most
recent week there was exported from New
York H9.04I1S5, a large gain over the
corresponding week OF the two preceding
years. New Yor,s imports were So ,Oj3.-
500. against s22.964719 last year Nd
vices from the principal trade centres.
while showing a recession in mercantile
activity at a few points. owing TO adverse
weather conditions and local labor
troubles. generally indicate a material i'm
provement The distinguishing features Of
the iron and steel trade arc tho heavy pur-
chases by the railroads and implement
makers. Textile manufacturers are busy
with advance orders that will keep their
shops running for some time Dryeoods
distribution is. however, experiencing the
slowing down usual at this period Of the
year There is a seasonablc quletncss in
the shoe trade. but purchases for fall re-
quirements are expected to begin in April.
outside of some reports Of duststorIns in
Kansas. winter wheat conditions are re-
gardcd as exceedingly bright. February
exports of breadstuffs amounted 10 SIS
616.s57. an increase Of SS.63l.213, but
there was a large decrease in cotton eS-
ports. Bank clearings this week showed
a loss Of 1.a per cent, as compared with
last year. but gain Of 49, per cent over
1911. Railroad earnings in the first two
weeks of March gained 10 per cent.
Buying Of iron and steel has taken on
new life. although demands arc still be
low shipments from the mills. New bust
ness keeps up surprisingly we'll in view Of
the remarkable records Of recent months,
and railroad requirements continue a
prominent feature, an order for $4,000
tons Of Bessemer rails being reported In
the Chicago district"
The pre- Easter trade was sornev hat
better than IN previous years, according
10 Bradstreet's, which has the following:
Though wholesale trade reports arc In
clincd 10 manifest more or less irregular
ity due principally 10 financial factors
retail trade has expanded in rather
noteworthy way. and jobbinS lines. which
are somewhat quiet In the Eastern and
Southeastern parts of the country. main
tain a satisfactory pace in most Other
sections. Demand for Easter articles has
suporinduced relatively brisk movements
from the counters ~ final distributors
and jobbers, where favoraDly circum-
stanced. note that orders for staples con
tinue OF comparatively good volume. de-
mand being mostly for nearby shipment
However. the strain in money matters
combined with prospective tariff Change
tends to make for conservatism In placing
future orders. Consumption appears 10
be Of large proportions and while nu-
merous strikes are being waged through
out the country industrial operations are
such as TO afford widespread employment
Soil conditions, as whole, are favorable.
winter wheat prospects arc good and
farmers are going forward with prepare
lions for the ensuing season. Allowing
for the reservations noted as 10 trade IN
the comparativcly backward zones, there
is a good demand for drygoods. men
furnishings, shoes. hardware, builders
materials. paints and oils. lumber, mar
ness. groceries, drugs, seeds and farm
machinery. The Northwest which reports
hevay grain receipts and preparations 10Y
a big movement via the lakes continues
10 furnish what may be deemed TO be the
best reports but at the same Time the
Central West, barring parts Of the ONO
Valley also indicates good conditions
satisfactory activity in pre- Easter JoDDihs
and increased retail trade. Indeed North
western advices tell of recorders Tor staple
lines. Southwestern reports reveal inc
Influences of milder weather In smarter
distribution at retail. fair activity III
wholesale lines and good mail ana ROAD
orders for drygoods. Reports from the
South continue irregular, but, on the
whole trends have improved somewhat
there being now little or no feai OF over
flows from the Mississippi River ana
planters in sections Of the valley th"'
were overlooked In the spring OF lSI- are
preparing TO raise variety OF crops