davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
SALES OF GOODS
 BOLSTER COTTON
Confidence In Trade Prospects
 Reflected In Buying

NEW YORK, Nov. 14.-Increasing confidence in general trade prospects has been reflected by active buying and very sharp advances in the cotton mar ket since the publication of the govern ment crop reort of Saturday last week This report forecasting yield of 12,- S16, ,000 bales was very closely in line with the private estimates which pre- ceded it and probably created no fresh sentiment as to the extent of the sup plies to be dealth with. The issuance of the figures, however, removed an un- certainty which had previously re- stricted buying and the advance which followed was stimulated by various fea- lures tending to encourage bullish views of the trade outlook. They included the strength and activity of the stock mar ket as tending to indicate an optimistic sentiment outside the cotton trade it. self, the action of other commodity mar kets, reports of increasing activity in cotton goods and bullish advices from the southern spot markets. According to reports received from Fall River to- day sales of print cloths in the market there for the week aggregated 100000 pieces, or the largest total for months, while an active business has been re- ported in the local cloth market, leading to expectations of a further increase in democratic Hllil aCIlVlty. lHeSe duNlceS have been accompanied by reports of probable further increase in the work ing hours of spinners of American cot ton in Lancashire, and the expectation of materially increased foreign de- mand for raw cotton from the south has been encouraged by the advance in ster- ling exchange and recent gains in bar silver. The advance here earlier in the week were promoted by strength in the market for Egyptian cotton, which was said to be selling above a parity with American and there was consid- erable comment on an estimate by one of the international cotton houses plac- ing the worlds probable consumption of American for this season at about 12,- 700, ,OO0 bales. This view of require ments seemed very close to the indi- cated supply and while the market was called upon to absorb'a a great deal of realizing, the buying movement con- tinued until January contracts sold at 25.14c today, or about 224 points above the low price of last Saturday morning. Demand slackened somewhat at this fig ure and there appeared to be little more selling for southern account to- ward the end of the week which was ab- sorbed by trade buying on the reac- tions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
DITS'S REVIEW

NEW YORK, Nov. 14.-Dun's tomor- row will say:
 "The confidence imparted to business continues to be reflected in the freer movement that is noticeable in many of the leading markets, and this has found expression in active buying, which has lifted prices of many basic products, among them wheat, cotton, hides and leather, to a substantially higher level Evidence on all sides indicates that the markets have begun a readjustment 10 a state of freedom and security that had previously been jeopardized. Stocks continue to rise and large funds which have been withheld are again seeking investment. The weather, which has initiated somewhat against a normal movement of seasonable commodities, has enabled farmers, especially the cot ton growers in the south, to harvest their crops under almost ideal condi- tons and at much lower cost than cus- tomary, thus considerably improving their financial position"
 Weekly bank clearings. sS,641, ,445,0oo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
VEGETABLES

CHICAGO, Nov. 14.--Beans: Louisiana hampers, green, S4.00@4.50; wax, $3.oop $50. Cucumbers Florida crates and hamp- CTS, $5.00Q5.50; Louisiana hampers, $4.oo Q4.75.
 Egg plant: Florida crates, $4.50@5oO.
 Kumquats: Florida, S2-quart crates, 15G18c.
 Peppers: Louisiana hampers, green, $2.5O@2.75; Alabama hampers, fingers, $1.50Q1.75; Florida crates, green, $6.5OD 700.
 Radishes Arkansas barrel, 20-25 dozen, $4.00Q4.50; bushel baskets, $1.25q1.35.
 Shallots Louisiana barrel, $10@12.
 Sweet potatoes: Tennessee hampers, $2.0042.25; kiln dries, $2.50.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

Improvement in the cotton belt is less pronounced and more spotty. The cash return to this section will be about per cent larger than last year. Geor- gia and Oklahoma will pocket the larg- est increases over a year ago, these states showing nearly a 45 per cent gain. Texas was most unfortunate, re- vealing a loss of approximately 15 per cent.
 The central corn states will receive approximately 1 per cent more money during the present crop year. I'm provement in this section varies from a 6 per cent gain in Missouri to per cent loss in Indiana. The range states from Idaho and Wyoming south to Arizona and New Mexico will break about even with last year in cash farm income. As a group, the dairy states will have per cent more cash while the tobacco growers stand to receive 2 per cent less. The Pacific Coast states are least favored, their prospects being for a 10 per cent reduction in money in- come.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

D ECAUSE of the wide variation in
 IS prices and the total yields of differ
 ent crops when compared to last year, a reduction of the situation to a basis assists very ma terially in describing the degree of pros- perity which the various agricultural groups will enjoy during the months just ahead.
 In the region commonly designated as the wheat section, cash incomes for this years crops will be over 26 per cent larger than last year. Most favored of this group are the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. Of these, North Dakota is considerably the largest winner. Agriculturists in these states will, in the present year which ends July, 1925. have derived 75 per cent more cash from their crops than they did during the previous year. Part of this increase is due to the very poor results of 1923 crops, which, of course, makes the con- trast more pronounced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
LIVESTOCK

CHICAGO, Nov. 14.-Cattle: Re ceipts, 5000; quality extremely plain most stores in feeder flesh. market slow and dull; some strength on better grade steers; few steers or yearlings of value to sell above $8.50; weighty ma tured steers, $95O; liberal supply lower grade fat she stock steady to weak at practically low price of season; most caner cows, $2.75@2.90; strong weight cutters upward to $2.25 and slightly above; bulls scarce; bulk bolognas, $3.5O Gr4.00; veal calves about steady; light weight kind in narrow demand; choice handyweights to packers around $9; country demand for stockers and feed CTS narrow, generally steady.
 Hogs: Receipts, 52,000, fairly active; mostly 10 to 15c lower than yesterdays s best time; lightweight and slaughter pigs, 15 to 25c off; top $9.70; bulk bet ter 240 to $50 pounds, $9.40@965; ma jority ITO to 210 pounds, $8.65@9.25; bulk 140 to 16O pounds, $7.75@s.35; packing sows largely $s.65@s.90; strongweight slaughter pigs mostly s7.25@7.5o. Esti- mated holdover 10000.
 Sheep: Receipts, 12,000, active; fat lambs uneven, strong to 25c higher; sorting very light; bulk $1400@1425; top, $13.25; culis, $11.00@1150; choice S4-pound fed clipped lambs, SIP; choice 9o-pound yearlings, $11.50; fat sheep and feeding lambs steady; eve top $775; bulk feeding lambs. $13.7o@14o0; some held higher.
 LOUISVILLE, Ky, Nov. 14.-Cattle: Receipts. 100; slow, heavy steers, S7.5O asO0; beef steers, I$4.5o@7.25; heifers, S4.00@7.50; cows, $2.50@5.5o: feeders, $4.50Q6.50; stockers, $3.0o@5.50.
 Hogs: Receipts, 1900; steady to 25c lower; 175 pounds and up, $9.50; 130 to 175 pounds, Ss.25; pigs, SIPS down. throwouts, $7.75 down.
 Sheep: Receipts. 100; steady; calves, zoo; steady; best vealers, $9.00 down; seconds, $5.50.
 NASHVILLE, Tenn, Nov. 14.-Cattle: Receipts, 100; steady; heavy steers, S6.506700; beef steers, $5.00@6.00; heif- CTS, $5.00@6.00; cows, $3.50@4.50; feed CTS, $4.50@5.50; stockers, $2.50@450.
 Hogs: Receipts, 1000; medium and heavy hogs, 10c lower; 1S0 pounds and up, $9.65; 135 to 180 pounds, $s.55; heavy pigs, $s.3o; light pigs, $s.o5; throwouts, SS.50 down.
 Sheep: Receipts, 100; steady; choice fat lambs, $1O.OO@11.00; good fat lambs S7.0o@s00; cull lambs, $5oo@6.oo; sheep, S1.00@4.50.
 EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.,, Nov. h. Hogs: Receipts, 12000; few heavy hogs steady at $9.65@9.75; one load $9.75 most light and medium weight hogs, 10 to 15c lower; bulk 1S0 pounds and up, $9.25@ $50; 160 to 1S0 pounds, $9.10@9.25; pigs mostly 25c lower; 140 to 160 pounds,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
DRY GOODS

NEW YORK, Nov. 14-Cotton goods markets today held firm with diminish ing activity in gray goods, due to the rise in cotton and to higher prices for cloth following larger sales. Denims were advanced half cent yard. Con tracing for next year has expanded. Yarns were firmer with more sales of combed yarns reported in some places. Wool markets were strong, the highest prices of the year having been paid at Australia in the auctions during the day for the account of American operators. Burlap shipments for October from Cal cutta were estimated at S9000,000 yards to the North American continent, and 33, ,00O, ,000 to Argentina. Silks held steady.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
THE WEATHER

Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi: Fair in south, rain in north portion Saturday, Sunday unsettled.
 Louisiana Saturday partly cloudy; showers in the interior; colder in the in- terior, Sunday partly cluody.
 Arkansas: Saturday cloudy. rain in southeast portion, colder in south DOT tion; Sunday generally fair.
 Oklahoma: Saturday and Sunday fair not so cold.
 East Texas: Saturday cluody, showers in east and south portions, colder in east and south portions; Sunday partly cloudy. West Texas: Saturday and Sunday gen. orally fair.
 Virginia: Fair Saturday: Sunday in creasing cloudiness; not much change in temperature.
 North and South Carolina: Unsettled Saturday and Sunday.
 Extreme Northwest Florida: Generally fair Saturday and Sunday.
 Tennessee and Kentucky: Fair Satur- day; Sunday unsettled and warmer. Summary of observations made at sta tions of the United States weather bureau during the 24 hours ending at p. m, 90th meridian time. Friday. November 14. 1924:
 -TEMPERATURES-
 fCl 1FNE i n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

this country fortunately has a larger number than any other country of bainy industrial and other business leaders who have infinite faith in their limited ambitions, willingness and eagerness to expend the mental and physical vitality necessary to tackle and carry out titanic projects, and have built up such characters and records that the banking world is ready to ex- tend financial backing to them.
 So much publicity is being given to contemplated railway consultations that the public probably are not fully aware of what is going on mergerwise in other directions. It is natural that railway amalgamations should be exer- cising so much notice, first, because the transportation act calls for a colossal series of such amalgamations and, sec- ond, because of the spectacular achieve ments of the VanSweringen brothers, of Cleveland, and of the magnitude of the mergers now being actively discussed by heads of the very largest systems in the east, notably the Pennsylvania, the New York Central and the Baltimore and Ohio.
 What is happening in the industrial field? Events here are calculated to play a part in whooping up the boom already rampant in Wall street and which is expected to extend to busi- ness.
 The newspapers are almost daily re- porting either proposed or accomplished mergers. We read that a half billion dollar consolidation of baking com- panies is under way.
 There have been mergers among auto mobile manufacturing companies.
 The oil industry has had its share of consultations and Is likely to have oth- CTS of greater moment.
 Negotiations are under way for sev- eral important mergers in the sugar industry" starts off one newspapes re- port that the American Beet Sugar com pany is negotiating for three concerns in the middle west.
 The coal industry has not been left out in the cold, Pittsburg reports:
 "The first step in the general plan for a consolidation of the Pittsburg Terminal Coal company with other prop critics in the Pittsburg district has been taken by joint committee constituted by the Pittsburg and West Virginia Rail- way company"
 This week Chicago announces: "A $s4,Oo0,0oo merger of the Stewart War ner Speedometer corporation and the Bassic-Alemite .zs corpeEationY = two of the larger concerns 4n the automobile accessory field"
 The copper industry sometime ago wit messed the absorption of the largest brass company in the world by Ana conda Copper, and more recently other mergers have been engaging attention in the red metal industry.
 Bethlehem Steel brought off a big merger not so long ago and there has been at least newspaper talk of i'm pending deals among important inde- pendents.
 Restaurant chains and adding and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
STOCK LETTERS

NEW YORK, Nov. 14.-Trading in stocks today experienced a moderate shrinkage but the action of the gen. shrinkage but the action of the general list acted well, taking into consideration that certain stocks have now attained extended advances and profit taking is only natural. New York Central and Katy" preferred made new highs in the late afternoon trading. The oil sotcks now appear to us to be over bought temporarily but the market is one at the present time in which such situations are bound to arise now and then but are corrected naturally and without recourse to any scrambling to get out from under. Although the bal ance between buying and selling in the immediate future is bound to call for setbacks, 1t is not likely to proceed be- yond the point where new buying ord CTS exist somewhat under present mar ket levels. We believe these tremend- ous trading days will continue and that the course of prices will continue up- ward and we advise our friends to en- ter buying orders slightly under the present level in order to take advan tage of the etbacks.-Steiner, Rouse & Stroock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
SUGAR MARKET

NEW YORK, Nov. 14.-No changes occurred in the local raw sugar market today. Sales were reported at 40,00C hags of Cuban, prompt shipmen. at 5.78c and 1,750 bags of Peruvian due carly in December at 5.71c.
 Raw sugar futures declined 1 to points under commission house selling but rallied on covering and buying foI trade and Cuban account. Final prices were unchanged to 4 points net higher December closed 3.94c; March, 3.12c; May, 3.19c; July, 3.29c.
 Refined sugar was unchanged at 7.15 to 7.25c for fine granulated with only light inquiry reported.
 Refined futures were nominal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
RICE MARK EFT

NEW ORLEANS. Nov. 14.-Rough rice quiet; sales, 400 sacks Honduras, $500; 450 Japan, 5.25c; 400 Blue Rose, 5000; 400 Carolina, 5.00c; 400 early pro- life, 5.00c; 45 Edith, 5.25c; receipts, B. 756 sacks; millers' receipts, same
 Clean rice easy; sales, 16s pockets Honduras, 65sc; 2,6s1 Blue Rose, 5 1-16c; 50 Carolina, CSC; 1,416 second heads, 3% G3sc; BOA screenings, 2a4 @3 5-16c; 150 Lady Wright, 65sc; receipts, none.
 Bran, $24.5oQ 25.oo per ton; Polish, $34.00035.00 per ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
WINDS

East Gulf: Moderate to fresh east and weather partly overcast Saturday.
 West Gulf: Moderate northeast over south portion and southeast over north portion, and weather partly overcast Sat urday.
 Caribbean Sea and Windward Passage :: Moderate southeast over east portion and northeast over west portion, and weather partly overcast with occasional showers Saturday,
 Sandy Hook to Hatteras: Moderate north and northwest, and weather partly overcast Saturday.
 Hatteras to Florida Straits: Moderate southwest over north portion and north eabt over south portion and weather part S2anAayercast Eanardaya
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

Conditions are ripe. The country has experienced a period of poor profits in many lines. This has made weaker con cerns willing to lis- ten to prospective buyers. Equally i'm portant credit and money arc avail able in unprece- dented quantity for enterprises W h o have demonstrated their fitness to run large concerns suc-
 N
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
POTATO MARKET

CHICAGO, Nov. 14.-Potatoes, trading moderate; market firm; receipts, 113 cars; total United States shipments, SIP; Minnesota sacked round whites, 9Oc@$1 05; few fancy shade higher; Wisconsin sacked round whites, S5c@ S105; Minnesota sacked Red River Ohios, $11591.20.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

calculating machines have figured in the merger news.
 Rumors of tobacco mergers have been thick, but the largest deals discussed have not yet taken concrete shape.
 The packing industry had its big con- solidation.
 The motion picture industry has had merger after merger and probably has more to come.
 Public utilities have played a promi- nent role in this widespread merger movement. Consultations of magni- tude have been effected in different parts of the country, notably in the mid dle west and in the east. More will fol- low.
 Only the other day $25,OO0,OOo cor poration was formed to take over the leading motor bus companies in Chi cago, New York and St. Louis.
 Bank mergers have become so com mon that they have ceased to excite comment. S
 There have even been consultations of Wall street firms in an effort to solve the problem of high cost of operation.
 In hundreds of cities and towns and communities strong newspapers have been taking over weaker ones. Here, too, the drift towards consultations is bound to continue.
 Wall street loves mergers and ru- mors of mergers-particularly the lat ter, because speculation Is stimulated by mysteries" more than by cold facts.
 Yes, mergers promise to play quite a part in enlivening activity during com ing months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
MARKETS AT A GLANCE

MARKETS AT A GLANCE
 NEW YORK: Stocks irregular; Fisher Body jumps Il points. Bonds steady; high yielding rail issues again In de- mand. Foreign exchanges, firm; sterl- ing crosses SAGA to 1924 peak. Cotton report. Sugar featureless Coffee low CT; weak Rio market.
 CHICAGO.-Wheat, lower; decreased foreign demand. Corn, easy; sympathy with wheat. Cattle steady. Hogs &C., tive and lower.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
COFFEE FUTURES

NEW YORK, Nov. 14.-severe re- actions occurred in the market for cof- fee futures today, accompanied by re- ports of freer Brazilian offerings. The opening was unchanged to 45 points lower and the break extended to 20.7oc for March, active months showing net losses of 110 to 130 points. Last prices were several points up from the lowest on most positions on a renewal Of Brazilian buying and covering with the market closing 100 to no points net low er. Sales were estimated at 152,0O0. Closing quotations: December, 21.50c; March, 20.90c; May, 20.65c; July, 19.7Oc; September, 19.10c.
 Spot coffee dull and nominally un- changed at 25Q2514c for Rio Is and 2s1z 429c for Santos As. Cost and freight of- fers included part Bourbon 3s and 4s at 2S6OG 29c.
 Rio exchange on London b pence low CT. Dollar buying rate 10 reis lower. Rio unchanged to 975 lower; Santos S7o to 1925 reis lower. Brazilian port re- cepts, 55,000; Jundiahy receipts, 25,000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
MERGER SERIES PLAYS BIG PART
 AS TRADE BOOST
Business And Speculative Activities Famed By
 Combines

By B. c. FORBES Business activity and also speculative activity will be famed by an outburst of mergers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
WEEKLY LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL, Nov. 14-Weekly cot ton statistics: Total forwarded to mills, 5o,000 bales, of which American 5000. Stock, 371,000 American 236,000. Im- ports, 97,o00, American 82,000 Exports, 5000, American 3,00O
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
COTTON LETTERS

NEW ORLEANS, Nov 14.-There was further confirmation today of trade improving, especially o nthis side of the Atlantic, particularly in the cotton spin ming industry, as noted by official re- turns to the census bureau showing a big increase in the consumption of raw cotton by American Mills during Oc- tober as compared with September 1, including linters, 5SS, ,000 against 4S5000 in September of this year and 601 ,000 for October of last year, making the total domestic consumption for the first three months this season 1,475,000 against 1 ,678, 900. A significant feature of the returns is that American mills con- stunned more cotton during October than they had on hand at the close of Sep tember, 588,000 bales, against 515000. Meanwhile the weight of the figures to will not be removed until receipts as- sume much smaller proportions, for while mill takings are large, insight is heavier, serving to cause the worlds visible supply to increase rapidly. Com pared with last season, this weeks in- sight was 664,000 bales against 450, 0,000, making total marketed since August worlds visible of American supply shows an increase for week of 257, ,000 bales, against increase last year of only 86,000, making the worlds visible of American today 3,790,000 against 2,S67,- 900 of other kinds, S11 ,000 against 1,040,- 900, all kinds figuring 4,501, ,000 against 3,907, ,000-H. 6 B. Beer to J. F. Will lingham & Co.
 NEW YORK, Nov. 14.-Cables this morning were better than due and Man chester reports are still cheerful. The census bureau of October consumption of 532, ,629 bales shows that business was improving in American mills even be- fore the election. Since that time, it is obvious that there has been a marked improvement in the goods market and it is to be hoped that margins between goods and cotton are restored to a proper parity in order that the American mills may share in the general pros perity in the meantime, our market has improved as a result of the confi- dence in larger consumption, a con- fidence which Is expanding steadily with the evidence of a better business through the world. We have had quite a sharp advance so that from a purely speculative standpoint it is reasonable to expect some reaction the difficulty Is that the market has not advanced on speculative considerations but in the expansion of trade so that the profit the buying having been for the trade which has a use for the cotton.-Hub- bard Bros. & Go.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
FLOUR MARKET

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 14.-Flour, un- changed to 10c higher; family patents, $s.35Qs.40; shipments, 40,006 barrels.
 Bran, $2400Q25.50.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

$8.5OQ9.10; no to 130 pounds, S7.5OQS.00; packing sows largely $s.25.
 Cattle: Receipts, 1000; one load 960- pound yearlings, $11; virtually no beef steers light yearlings or heifer mar xet: beef cows shade lower at $500 4.25; caners steady at $2.30@2.50; bo- logna bulls nominal; most light vealers S9.o0.
 Sheep: Receipts 500, fat lambs strong to 25c higher; few aged sheep soc high CT; scattered lots medium to good wool lambs, $12.75@13.25; nothing choice here; two decks 79-pound clipped lambs, SIP; few Tennessee yearling wethers, $11 aged wethers, $s.50; bulk mutton ewes, Sc; one lot Tennessee ewes, $7.
 Estimated receipts for Saturday: Cat tie, 300; hogs, $5,000; sheep, 200.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

HORSES AND MULES EAST ST. LOUIS, H., Nov. 14.- Horses and mules unchanged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

BAR SILVER NEW YORK, Nov. 14.-Bar silver, 69Ac; Mexican dollars, 53hc.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
EIAy MARKET

DULUTH, Minn, Nov. 14.-Close Flax, November, S2.67k; December, $267A; May, $2.74.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15

Wall street today heard that the New Haven management will have success fully accomplished it's financing neces- sities long before the April maturity falls due next year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
METAL MARKET

NEW YORK, Nov 14.-Copper, firm- CT; electrolytic spot and nearby, 1878 O 14c; futures, 14c. Tin, firm; spot and futures, $54.50; iron, steady, prices un- changed; lead quiet, spot $8.65G9.0o;
 zinc firm, East St. Louis spot, $6.90; fu- lures, $6.90@6.95; antimony spot, $14.S7.