St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-20
COMMERCIAL.

ST. PAUL, Aug. 20-A close and careful scru-
tiny discloses the fact that there was very little
difference i'll the gross amount Of commercial
business transacted during the two weeks end
ing Aug. 18th and 10Th respectively. While it is
fact that business in some branches of trade
has very materially increased, it is also fact
that in others there has been a very perceptible
falling off, while others again have done quiet
even business for the two weeks. The carrying
trade shows but little difference between the two
weeks. For the week ending August II the
total number of laden cars shipped into the city
was 1884 the past week, against 1898 the pre-
yious week or an increase OF 30. The river re-
ceipts on the other hand were 425 tons, against
$50 tons for the previous week, being a decrease
of 20 tons. The shipments were by rail ,217
cars, and for the previous week 40 cars, being
AZ cars more for the week ending yesterday;
shipments by river were 110 tons more than for
the previous week OF these gross receipts and
shipments 494 cars were ''merchandlse" shipped
in the week previous shipped in 500 cars, being
9 cars more than for the week under review.
The shipments of merchandise for the week end
ing Aug 10 were 595 cars and for the week
ending on the 18th 594 cars, being an increase OF
! car for the week just ended. And it is this
column out of the many of our trade statistical
tables which shows approximately the amount of
business done and from this it will be clearly
seen that there was very little diff
ference in the amount Of business
transactions during the two weeks, the small
balance being in favor of the week under review.
To the one car in favor of the past week shoald
be added the 40 tons over and above the boat
shipments of the previous week But the fact
is stated at the outset OF this review; the
bulk of trade has been about the same for both
weeks, some branches, drugs and hard
ware, have fallen of; others, dry
goods and notions, have increased, and again
others, such as groceries, have held their own.
The jobbing houses in boots and shoes have
experienced very large increase in business dn-
ring the week just past and orders have been
botn humorous and large for heavy goods, suit
able 10 the ensuing season. Rubber goods, toe,
have been in demand and although the market
is firm, prices remain steady. There has been
quiet sorting up business in leather, but no large
fail orders have yet been received, nor do lDef
chants expect them till the gram crops begin to
move. The market is at present firm in tone and
it is thought as the fall trade opens up
some grades of leather will advance Business
in hardware has been very quiet the past week
Us it always is during harvest. The market is
steady and prices current unchanged. There
has been but light business i'll iron and steel
and this wholly confined 10 wagon makers end
blacksnith's supplies. The furnaces have not
yet started up since the summers blow out, and
prices are firm. Drugs, toilet articles and the
deal, have been very quiet. Drugs remain steady
the only exception being quinine, which is zoe
cheaper. Paints are quiet and unchanged, but
inseed oils are down again another cent; lard
oils have advanced two cents and carbon oils
are also dearer Grocery houses have
had good steady weeks business equal but
not greater than the previous week. Prices are
generally steady; but canned fruits are easier
end slow; dried apples and dried berries are also
weaker and in light demand. Sugars a little
frmer and teas and coifees very firm. Carton
oils are higher. Butthe greatest feature of the
market at the moment is provisions, which are
higher and still looking upwards; bacon and
hams it is hard TO tell where they will be before
the curing houses sead out new supplies; cheese
is also higher The arm of king Armour
is so long and powerful that it is
beyond any mans powers OF diyination to say
how high he will succeed in eleyatug the UNI
clean animal; S27.00 for mess pork and yet
farmers and others must have 1t. There has been q
very considerable increase in the dry gools trade
during the last week. Every job0ing house in
the business mas experienced increased activity
and report considerable increase of the volume
of trade over the same period Of last year. This
is the more important from the fact that there
are several houses embarked in the
wholesale drapery business since last
year 1t may be stated that the fan trade has
now commenced ia real earnest aud the jUbbers
opening out. There has been large increase
in the number of personal buyers in Town and tae
men on the road have met with more than ex-
pected encouragement. No doubt the abund-
ant harvest aud the exceptionally good quality Of
the crops have much to do with this, AID an
other matter is the singuisIly attractive eharac-
ter OF the new things pro-
duced to entiee the purchaser The
principal demand has been for WOODEN goods and
heavy dometics, blankets, hannels, saekings.
rloakiRg cashmeres, heavy underwear, wooieh
hosiery shawls and WOODEN yarn. Prices have
ranged steady, and the market IS firm. Among
the novelties shown are some unique patterns in
imported cashmeres and nerinos: the prevailing
stxle viii be a polonaise or upper skirt Of plaid
and an rnaerskirt OF plain material OF The
prevailing color of the plaid. Passing through
four of the leading houses yesterday the writer
was surprised 10 sse the plies of goods u the ills
ready for the packing rooms. Lam0er business
still increases aud the various houses have been
quite busy shipping in all directions. The Mis-
souri, river points still continue theme OF great
bitterness and lumber men Go sll they can 20
avoid paving the tax levied or them out Of con-
petition with Chicago. The railresd returns
shew an increase Of 60 cars shipped. The follow
ing tables have been carefully revised and cor
Tected up to date.