New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-29
SUSTAINED PROGRESS
Improvement Not Uniform, but
Better in Some Branches.

In its summing up for the week Duns
Review says:
sustained progress along conservative
lines is the keynote Of advices from the
leading mercantile centres. Improvement
is not wholly uniform, and some sections
and branches of trade reflect better con-
dltions than others. In the aggregate,
however, the volume of current transac-
tons continues large, and though hest
fancy is still shown in entering upon fu-
ture commitments. the feeling OF caution
is less manifest than heretofore. Unsea-
sonably low temperatures I'm some parts
OF the country have led 10 further claims
Of crop damage, but distribution OF mer-
chandise at retail has been benefited and
the wholesale movement Is gradually ex-
panding. Well maintained activity is ap-
parent in all departments Of the drygoods
markets, with jobbers busily engaged
supplying customers needs. and addi-
tional price advances are announced from
time 10 time. The cotton goods mills
have enough work on hand to keen them
occupied for the next three months. but
mems wear orders for spring have not
come up TO expectations. and about so
per cent of the machinery is employed.
There have been several large sized trans
actions in wool, both OF domestic and
foreign grades, although manufacturers
are not stocking up to any great extent.
More disposition to provide for forward
requirements is shown by buyers OF
leather. and values are firmly held on
all desirable offerings Footwear facto-
ries are still in need Of new business, and
While contracts calling for PROMPT de-
livery are increasing there is a continued
reluctance I'm anticipating future wants
Predictions that freer buying movement
would develop in iron and steel this
month have not been fulfilled. yet It is
significant that the reported slowing down
or demand in some finished lines has
brought a relatively slight decline in
quotations. The steel bar mills have much
work ahead. while consumption of pig
iron is well sustained and more interest
Is shown in next years requirements
concessions in the price of copper fol-
lowed the sharp break in the London
market where speculation has been
active, but the metal is in strong statis-
ucaI position and a further shrinkage i'm
surplus stocks is expected. Diminishing
Idle freight cars reflect a seasonable ex-
pansion in railway traffic, the movement
or grain being particularly heavy. but
gross earnings for the first two weeks OF
september were only one tenth OF / per
cent larger than last year. although
showing gain of per cent as compared
with 1911. Bank clearings continue
smaller than year ago, owing in part
10 reduced speculative operations, the loss
this week being sc per cent. whereas
there was an increase of 1.5 per cent over
1911. An easier tendency in domestic
money rates contrasts with the firmness
prevailing abroad. where there is an
urgent demand for gold in preparation
ior the onerous quarterly settlements.
With railroad buying still held in abev
ance generally quiet conditions exist I'm
finished lines of iron and steel. Not all
departments reflect the same degree OF
dulness. and steel bars are a notable ex-
ception' yet in a broad sense continued
inactivity prevails. Thus far the trans
portation companies have not entered the
market for needed equipment 10 any ex
tent although it is expected that the first