OCR Text |
Show BUSINESS OUTLOOK. Bradstreet's report for this week is a forecast of prosperity. As a barometer of business, the following is a most encouraging statement: state-ment: Improved crop reports and continued activity in industrial circles cir-cles present the more pleasing aspects of an otherwise quiet trade situation. Jobbers and wholesale dealers in textiles and dress goods wear for example, re-orders are noted, wear for example, reorders are noted. The higher prices of wool seem to presage higher quotations on finished goods. In fact an advance of o per cent has already been made on broadcloths, and worsted yarns probably will go higher. But on the whole the general tendency is to operate cautiously to give some attention to politics and to await clearer views of probable crop results. However, there is no pessimism, just caution, and it is noteworthy that political matters while receiving attention diverting divert-ing interests from business, as it were do not cause any real concern. con-cern. The best situated line is iron and steel-, where specification against contracts are especially heavy, with blast furnaces and mills operating to nearly capacity. This industry is beset by a shortage short-age of labor, which seems to have displayed a drifting tendency Shoes at wholesale arc dull because of high prices. Leather is quite active and strong, with sole leather leading, but hides are easier. Collections arc not above fair, and in fact many points report re-port them to be very slow, this being especially true of the South, where trade continues dull. Failures in the United States for the week ending June 20 were 2G6, against 266 last week, 22 in the like week of 1911, 187 in 1910, 223 in 1909 and 25S in 1908. Business failures in Canada for the week number 21, which compares with 21 for last week and 17 for the li&s week of 1911. |