Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
THE HOLIDAY TRADE.
While Not an Infallible Index, 1t Has
Been Unusually Large,
ESPECIALLY so In PITTSBURG.
Signs of q Revival of 0ld-1ime Speculation
in Wall Street
GRAIN SHIPMENTS STILL ENORMOUS
-epFcra1. TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.l

New YORK, Dec. A-Special kilograms
to Brddstreet's indicate the results of short
week in which the greater share of the in
terest in the business world has been di-
rected to holiday specialties. None OF our
kilograms this week indicate anything more
than a quiet condition of affairs in any OF
the staple lines.
The distribution of Christmas novelties
has been quite large, but the volume OF
general business is greatly reduced, and
will remain so until well into the-new year
Merchants East and West regard with con-
fdence favorable prospect for 1892.
At present the principal activity is in
stock-taking. Country merchants West
and Northwest are fairly we'll stocked, and
will buy in the near future only on orders.
This is largely due to the prolonged un-
seasonably warm weather.
Cotton, sugar and rice receipts at New
Orleans have fallen of, and thedepression
in cotton at the South is affecting all lines
of business.
No Perceptible Change in Staples.
There are no changes of note in leading
staples. Most of them are dull and feat
ureless Changes in cereal prices are not
noteworthy. Hogs are 5 cents higher per
hundredweight Pig iron is firm and is
said to be steady" despite cut prices on
some grades which are not generally ad-
mitted to be standard brands
Drygoods jobbing is dull, owing to the
holiday influence and warm weather. E1-
port demand is improving. Print cloths
have been more active and advanced 1-16c
Wool is quiet, as manufacturers have been
buying only on concessions. Dress goods
makers are principal purchasers of wool
Cotton is dull and heavy under the pres
sure of large receipts.
The 1891 cotton report to Bradstrea's con-
tains the substance of /, 44S replies from 595
counties in the cotton-growing region, an
average of nearly two and half replies
from each county. A good picking season
is reported in all directions. The tendency
is apparently toward reduced yield in the
South Atlantic and Eastern Gulf States,
while in Texas an increase over last years
crop is indicated.
Planters' Finances Not Firs.-Cla.s.
The crop movement is reported much more
rapid than a wear ago. The financial con-
dition of cotton planters generally is said to
be not very favorable. The reports this
year indicate probable crop of $780, 600
bales of cotton.
The money market is very easy, with
time money in superabundant supply. For
eign exchange has declined 1c on the pound,
and large gold imports are again considered
imminent
Exports of wheat from the United States
this week, including -four as wheat. for five
DAYS only, all of the Pacific coast shipments
not received, aggregate 1855. S4S bushels
Last week the total was 1895 900 bushels
For 26 weeks ofthe cereal year, counting
the partly estimated and partly official ex-
ports of wheat and -four to British North
America not included in our regular weekly
reports, the preliminary grand total is
about 1e3, 100000 bushels of wheat, as COM
pared with about So, ,OO0, 600 bushels from
July TO December 26, 1890.
Exports Of Indian corn are increasing |
sharply, amounting.to 1, 160. $50 bushels this |
week, against 683,62i bushels last week.
Those of oats, too have augmented surpris-
inglv, amounting to !, 1,175.01S bushels this
week, as compared with 801 ,683 bushels in
the previous week. Rye exports have de-
clined from 507, 565 bushels week age to
ia, ,934 bushels this week.
A Revival of Speculation.
Bradstrec's weekly Wall street review
saws:
pr rress toward the realization OF that
broad and active speculation which for
some time past Wall street has confidently
expected. 1t may still be said that the buying
is largely professional, ana that the public |
has scarcely begun to take an active in |
terest. At the same time, the steady ad-
ably heavy trading in that qnarter, could |
scarcely have developed without the assist |
ance OF the investing public.
1t is noticeable that foreign interests
though not inclined to take an active part |
till after the holidays have been favorably |
impressed by the conditions which prevail |
hara
steadily. At the same time the general |
conditions on which the bullish inclinations |
are based ontinue to exert a sustaining in |
fuence.
The most significant event was the marked |
advance in the Gould stocks, headed by
Missouri Pacific, which could only be inter-
preted as meaning that the interest which |
controls that property is no longer even
passively opposed to the general specula-
tive inclination. At the same time some
stocks, notab bly, Northern Pacific preferred,
which have been under pressure. recovered
ground, while Richmond Terminal had
sharp recovery.
week did not coincide with bullish predic-
tions When the Lake Shore only main-
tanned ITS per cent rate for the year and
Michigan Central and Canada Southern in
creased eirsdividends bv only X per cent
each. something OF a chill was given to the
market.
r. Dun & Co.'s Cheerful Report.
r. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of
trade saws:
Holiday trade is not always lust measure
of the prosperity of the people, but it is sal
isfactory to know that at most points IL is
unusually large this year, though some To- |
calities report that it ia less than las. wear !
General trade this season is usually liyht
mel chants being engaged in taking stock
but at many points IL is reported larger than
usual, and eveh larger than last year Re-
ports show less complaint as to coliections
and a large trade in progress.
At Pitisburg trade is unusually good in all
lines, with iron and steel manufacturers
more hopeful, and the glass trade fairly
good.
The great industries close the wear with
more than usual activity. even the wooden
mills having orders enough to keep th EN-
fairly employed, and a number have re- |
Gently started but none shut down. Cotton
manufacturers find good demand, and
numerous enlargements or plants are re-
ported. Shoe factories complain that usual
orders are lacking, and vet they are fairly
active. Paper mills are busy and making
many additions of machinery and buildings.
The iron manufacture has been turning out
more pig than ever before, though some
works have stopped for the holidays, and the
tone OF the market is stronger, with rather
more demand for finished products.
Commendable.
All claims not consistent with the high
character of Syrup of Figs are purposely