Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-15
FEATURES OF TRADE.
Santa, Claus Goods Lead at the E1-
pense of Regular Lines.
COUNTRY PRODUCE COMES HERE
More Freely Than Our Markets Have Ca
pacity to Absorb.
BOSTON VIEW OF THE SHOE TRADE
OFFICE OF PrrrsBuRG DISPATCH.

OFFICE OF PIrrsBURG DISPATCH,
SATURDAY, Dec. 13.
Few new features have developed in trade
circles the week past. Produce commission
merchants are unanimously agreed that
markets are quiet We are having the
lull, which usually intervenes between
Thanksgiving and Christmas The rush is
expected to begin next week and will, no
doubt, be on until Christendum's great
holiday is here. Santa Claus goods already
begin to move freely, but the free move
ment in this line is to some degree at the
expense of regular lines of trade. The
last place for economy, these DAYS. is
in goods pertaining to Christmas trees and
stockings. Prices of country produce are
practically as they were week ago. Stuff
continues to come to the front in great
abundance and goes out slowly. The situa-
tion is exactly the reverse of what 1t was
year ago. Then there was a great scarcity OF
fruits and vegetables through the region of
merchants found quick demand for all the
stuff they could procure at more than double
present prices. AT this time last year apples
and potatoes were selling freely at about a s
much per bushel as they now bring per bar
rel The year of scarcity was more salts
factory to the commission merchant than
this year of plenty: The loss to the pro-
consumer, whose household expenees is
very much lower this season than last In a
large family the difference IN potatoes alone
is equivalent to 81 per week Poultry has
been slow and dull since Thanksgiving, but
better things are hoped for in the next week
or two
Cheese Has Been Cornered.
In the line of dairy products, cheese is the
firm factor the past week. Chicago houses
have been diligently gathering in all the
available stock through Ohio, Wisconsin and
New York cheese sections and already
prices show signs of an advance. Wisconsin,
Sweitzer. Limburger and Ohio cheese are O
shade higher than a week ago.
In cereal lines there has been a strong up-
corn and oats have been particularly firm
and markets in both lines have found a
higher level.
1t will be seenby reference to home mar
ket column that wheat receipts were very
heavy both this week and last Advices
from the Northwest indicate firm markets
for both wheat and flour. The grocery trade
is featcreless. Trade has been active for the
week, but prices have undergone little
change. The expected rise in sugar failed to
materialize. at present rates. there is little
or no profit to the jobber.
Foot Wear and Leather.
The Boston Herald has this to say Of the
she and leather situation and outlook: THE
conservative feeling among the buyers of
boots and shoes, already noted, is continued
Some orders are being taken on spring goods,
and man nufacturers are fairly busy, Just for
the present, but there is complaint that
the volume of the orders already secured is
small: that is, they do not embrace more
than half of the volume of goods ex-
pected, Or half the volume taken by
the same buyers of previous sea-
sons. The feeling is a very conservative
one. all tie way from the retail dealer down
20 the johber and manufacturer Manu-
facturers a-e refusing to buy heavy stocks
OF leather, or to make any goods that they
ha fo1,h ,her n
termined not to have any excessive stocks
OF goods on hand. In ordering, the jobbers
allow that they are TO want the usual vol
ume of goods, but claim that they are pro-
ceeding very carefully: will take half of the
goods now, and, doubtless, the rest later in
the season.
The list OF boot and shoe BUYERS now here
IN person is very short one, and it will re-
main so till after the holidays. Then doubt
less the list will DE q much longer onef
Statesmen with samples of heavy boots, oil, |
grain and plowshoes will also start on their |
trips right away after Christmas.
The Leather Market
is a very quiet one. Manufacturers are not |
buying leather, for the reason that they are
not getting orders for goods to the extent
that they feel obliged to buy leather. Still,
on the fact of the heavy boot people begin
ming to get into line with samples of heavy
goods for next season. there is little better
feeling in wax and kip leather, but scarcely /
any better prices realized. No. drv hide |
leather, 1115@l2c; No. . l061015c; No. 8, sJs0 |
s.; No. 4, Sc. Domestic brogan is quoted
at: No. j, l26l2}9c; No. ?, ll@ll1Sc; No. 3, 9% |
6lOc. ~