St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-19
COMMERCIAL.

the impression that business was phe-
nomenally brisk and spring trade
has commenced in right good
earnest while visit to the several 'foors' of
some large establishments and glance into the
packing and shipping department would impress
one with the idea of depression of trade. The rail
road returns of shipped cut and into the city
also would lead to some confusion and miscon-
ception of the amount of trade done from the
fact that great deal of merchantile business is
done with outside points which is not represent
ed by the railroad returns at all, and it is only by
the exercise of discrimination and some little
judgement with watchful attention that any
thing like an approximate idea of the real
state of the world of trade can be arrived at.
Reports vary and contradict each other. One
man coming off trip says business is fiat and
stagnant, another reports trade booming, and the
only way 70 correct issue is to compare the
actual shipments of goods to each locality with
the reports from those localities, if it can be
done. The weather has been slightly better for
business the past week. in so much that it prom
ises speedy breaking up of winters icy letters
and the welcome advent of spring,
which may now be counted on
as coming in real earnest, nnless the feathered
tribes, its unerring harbingers have made grave
mistake. Spring is certainly at hand, and there
should be considerable improvement in business,
and that improvement has indeed commenced in
some directions but has not been greatly felt yet
in others. Carefully comparing reports with
the shipments of goods so far
as they can be had access to
the conclusion arrived at is that there is an in
of business activity in the south and south
west districts principally, and to a less degree
along the Red River valley, or more properly in
the district served by the Manitoba
line and its branches. The northwest
is as yet fguratively speaking snow bound and
dormant Whether it is too early for business or
whether there is going to be a general depres-
sion along the Northern Pacific line it is difficult
to say. But certain it is that
at the present time business
is not so brisk as might be desired Merchants
here say that business men in the distant parts
of the Northern Pacif circuit seem as though
they cannot reconcile themselves to the altered
circumstances naugurated at the opening of the
great inter-ocean road. In looking over the re-
ceipts and shipments of merchandise and COM
pairing them with last week, it would appear at
the first glance that the trade of the city had
greatly fallen off. The total number of cars
shipped into the city for the week ending was
but 1855, against 1888 for the previous week.
being 37S cars less. The shipments out were
only 81 and the former week 1,095, or 224 less
for the week just concluded. This ap-
pears a very great falling off. But in
going carefully through the tables it will be seen
that the difference is principally in coal, wood
and railroad iron. Under the head of ''merchan-
disc, the receipts were Is cars more than the
previous week, and the shipments one car less.
So that according to these returns the business
of the two weeks has not been materially differ
eut Starting out with these figures in view it
will now be necessary to glance at each branch of
the wholesale trade in detail. The dry goods
business is reported to have greatly increased
during the week with a very much better en-
quiry for spring goods. This is found to apply
principally to southwest districts, the on
the road in the northwest not being heard from
to any great extent Prices are generally firm.
but no changes are made in quotations The
drug market has been steady and quiet with a
few slight changes in prices. The business for
the week has been large and increasing; the in
crease being mainly due to territory, Bust /
ness in window glass, paints and oils has net
fully opened yet and the market
remains dull; paints and oils are firm
but glass displays some weakness and is some
what lower in price. Boots and shoes have
greatly improved during the week and larger Or
ders for spring and goods have been
booked but notwithstanding the stiffeniug
of the leather market, manufacturers
have not changed their price lists.
There has been greater demand for
leather and prices have slightly increased espec-
tally sole leather which for some time past tan
ners have been producing without profit, but
Nonh Of
demand the opportunity occurs to advance figures.
The scarcity of hides also forms cause for adj /
vance, and still higher figures may be expected
in the near future.
The large grocery houses report a week of
good business, especially in some districts The
south and southwest particularly appear to give
large orders. The market appears on the whole
to be firm, and prices are generally sustained
Cheese is a shade dearer, as is also pork.
Sugars are pretty sick and do not hold
out promise of early recovery. The pernicious
effects of option gambling are showing them
selves in coffees. Specializing manipulations
render it difficult and even dangerous for the
legitimate trader to operate, as supply and de-
mand no longer govern the market. The great
panic among the option dealers last week how
ever, gave the straight merchant
an opportunity of getting as
many bags as he wanted and consequently
coffees are little easier. There has been more
improvement in the general hardware business
than any other during the week. Shelf goods
have especially shown signs of spring move |
ment. Not only has the business been greater
than the previous week, but considerably in ex-
cess of the same week last year. Prices remain
unchanged. The imbroglio is
not Strengthened out yet, two
out of the five large factories
still hold out and the situation remains I'M
changed. Manufactured iron and steel have
shown little improvement and the market
remains dull and sluggish, with prices unchanged
The lnmber business continues to improve, and
although no large sales like that re-
ported last week have taken
place, still orders have been numerous
and shipments direct from the mill have in
creased. The number of cars shipped out from
ST. Paul were 1874 against 1S9 for the previous
week, but one firm alone shipped 100 cars from
their outside mills not included in the railroad
returns. There changes in quotations.
Reviewing the whole mercantile business the
conclusions may fairly be drawn that the weeks
transactions have been about equal to the former
week, and that some branches have been materi-
ally in excess, and all that is needed is lit
tie warm weather to make things g rusty The
following tables have been carefully revised, and
can be relied on for accuracy.