Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
FEATURES OF TRADE.
The Hand-lo-Mouth Policy Followed
by Buyers Because
OF THE FINANCIAL STRINGENCY.
Dealers in 0leomargarine Are Kept on the
Anxious Seat.
STEER HIDES LOWER, BUFFs STEADY

OFFICE OF THE PITTsBURG DIsPATCH,l
SATURDAY, Dec. 1S.N
In reviewing the trade features OF the past
week one of the prime elements has been the
scarcity of money. There is little doubt
that We would now be in the midst of a
cereal boom but for financial furry, which
causes capitalists to keep close to shore.
The want of money has prevented many a
sale OF grain and hay. The hand-to-mouth
policy is pursued by retailers, and very
naturally so, because of the uncertainties of
the financial situation. What the trading world
now needs above all things is faith in man.
Without mutual confidence and faith in one
another, business prosperity is an impossibility.
BY reason OF a want of this faith, money has
suddenly become the most precious commodity
going. With a return of confidence all leading
staples would undoubtedly take an upward
turn. While there is little probability of an ac-
tive movement in jobbing industries until after
January settlements, the conditions of activity
are here and will soon show them
selves. Already there is better tone, tone
market this week was about the worst of the
season, and shippers must have been losers.
But the darkest hour precedes the dawn, and
there is little doubt that bottom has been
reached. Large quantities of cattle have been
forced onto market to save wlntering, and
knowing dealers look for a scarcitv of good
beeyes before the winter is over. Volume of
grocery trade shows up large this week. and,
while prices are unchanged, staples are gener-
ally firm, with prospec for an advance In
canned goods after the turn of the year.
Oleo Dealers Disturbed.
Oleo dealers have been on the anxious seat
for the past week, as Government detectives
have been at work ferreting out violations of
the law. From six to eight carloads of oleo
have been handled here weekly for few months
past by few firms whose proflts are estimated
at Sl2, 900 per month. Prospects now are that
these profits will be wiped out by Uncle
Sans officials. Since the Government has
been looking mn violations of law, there has
come a better demand for genuine butter. Both
creamery and country rolls are flrmer since the
raid on butterine.
Said a leading Liberty street commission
man: 1--WE used to have a big country butter
trade, but for the past few years 1t has
amounted to nothing. Butterine has taken the
teld. The law against oleo, which was In
tended to protect the farmer, has done so with
a vengeance. Country butter has been drug
all this season for the reason that butterlne has
forced it out of market"
The Hide Market
Light hides stand about as they were week
ago and the feeling is that bottom has been
reached, though markets are still slow. Steer
hides have declined II to %c since last Satur-
day. The latter. however. did not have the
tumble experienced by light hides the past few
weeks. Tanners have not changed the prlce OF
green hides Stringency of money market is
adverse to any upward movement Advices
from Boston to leading dealers ere, show that
tight money is there. as here, the depressing
facto- of trade.
Following are prices paid by tanners and hide
dealers on stock delivered here: