New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-20
BETTER THAN IN 1912
Trade Is Irregular, but Current
Reports Are Favorable.

Commercial agencies have received from
their correspondents for the week infor-
nation more or less favorable on the cur
rent movements OF trade. Future busi-
ness is said TO be held In check by the
tariff or high rates OF money. Brad
streets" In It's weekly review, says:
Trade reports manifest more or less
irregularity. though they quite generally
agree that business is in excess OF that
done at this time last year. when activity
was welnigh superintendent. Belated
buying for fall and winter account Is
clearly evidenced In exigent calls for
prompt shipment OF textiles. OF which
there is a marked scarcity. II Is upon
current requirements that most attention
is focused, for far future trade In held In
check either by changed tariff conditions
or by high rates for money. and inciden-
trade there Is some indication OF a ten
dency TO slower operations. number OF
trades are busily engaged in adjusting
prices to new tariff schedules, and this
factor also tends to cause more or less
hesitancy but actual competitive sales
have not been felt TO any appreciable ex-
tent as yet In general. the prevailing
spirit is that tariff reductions will be
met, that because OF obvious advantages
domestic interests will more than hold
their own, and optimism is quite pro-
nounced. though here and there vagrant
feelings of misgiving are apparent. IT.
regularity also extends down to final dis
tribution, which. while II has been stimu
lated by colder weather west OF the Mis-
sissippi River has been quiet in the east
ern section OF the country, owing prin-
cipally TO so-called Indian summer
weather. Relatively best reports come
from the Northwest. where activity seems
to be as marked as ever. and from the
Southeast. which section feels the benef-
cent influence OF heavy cotton market
ings at high prices. easier collections and
the payment of long outstanding notes.
Most of the Southwest contributes favor
able reports. though there ~ more or less
conservatism In the rural districts, this
tendency being direct outgrowth of
damage caused the corn crop by the re-
cent drouth. Western advices In the main
are favorable, although there Is some talk
about a slight slowing down in manu-
featuring lines. In the East textile mar
kets are variously described. the general
tenor of reports ranging from satisfac-
tory TO active. Buying of cotton goods
for ready use has abated, but this Is due
in some degree to scarcity OF goods and
inability to make prompt deliveries, while
1t also is probable that fluctuations In raw
cotton played a part I'm circumscribing
demand. Steel plants are working at
slower gait, lower prices for finished
goods are prominent. but on the other
hand consumers insist upon prompt ship
ments being made, thus showing that con-
sumption Is heavy and that stocks are
light. Pig iron is quiet, and the price
undertone outside OF the South Is easier
Railway traffic is OF irregular volume;
some of the roads are doing better than
last year. but others are not doing 40
well The movement of grain Is heavy
and wheat exports are large, but those
OF corn have dwindled 10 almost the van
ishing point. Collections vary being slow
In some quarters. Sair I'm others and rela-
lively good In favorably circumstanced
agricultural districts. Money Is in active
demand. and rates hold steady to firm.
The stock market reflects the influence
OF bearish operations and lack OF buying
power. Bank clearngs for the week.
with the totals of New York and Boston
excluded. reflect a fall OF only per cent
from last year. when payments were close
to, II not in excess. OF the record"
''Duns Review" contains the following:
Distribution OF merchandise In some
sections reflects the stimulus OF seasona-
hle weather. while industrial operations