Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-25
FEATURES OF TRADE.
The Weeks Volume of Business Fails
to Show Improvement
In LINES OF GENERAL PRODUCE.
Some Signs of Revival in the Grocery and
Provision Trade.
BOSTON VIEW OF FOOTWEAR TRADE
OFFICE OF THE DISPATCH, +,
PITrSBURG. SATURDAY. January g. (

PITrsBuRe, SATURDAY, January %. {
The situation in trade lines is essentially
as it was week ago. In lines of country
produce there have been no changes worthy
of note since the year 1892 entered upon its
career. Last January when fruits and vege-
tables were selling at about the same price
per bushel as they now sell by the barrel,
trade was more active than it is at present.
Commission men, with entire unanimity,
report this as one of the slowest Januarys
on record. 1t was hoped and expected that
the cold wave which arrived in the early
part of the week would prove helpful to
trade, but so far the results from this source
nave proved very meagre. The fresh egg
market has gained in strength, and prices
are a shade better than at the beginning of
the week. Fancy Elgin creamery and select
grades of New York cheese are reported
by dealers week ago, has been doomed to
disappointment. Our jobbers are well
stocked up with cheese and if they were
TO lay in supplies at present prices and sell
the goods at profit. Tropical fruits have
proved heavy stock to our dealers for the
demand having fallen off very much since
the arrival of the cold wave.
Groceries and Provisions.
The movement in both lines has shown
Improvement the past few days. From the
first to the middle of the month groceries
moved very slowly, but better day has evil
IDENTIFY dawned and all signs point to a heavy
trade during the balance of the month. The
only changes worthy of note are the advance
in sugar of &c per lb and the steady upward
movement of canned tomatoes and corn.
Open kettle New Orleans molasses is re-
ported very firm at sources of supply. The
yield is not above half what it was last sea-
son, and yet prices are now a shade lower
than they were year ago.
Pork packers report fair demand Tor
their products, and, IS will be seen by refer
ence to our home market column, mess pork
and shoulders are advanced in price.
Hides aud Leather.
The market for green hides is still quiet
and dull, with prices practically unchang ed,
Receipts of calfskins are now very light
and the few that come 20 the front are
promptly taken at a shade better prices
than prevailed a week ago. Sales were
made last week at &c lower than would be
accepted at this time. Sheepskfn pelts are
moving freely, and dealers find no difficulty
in disposing of all they can obtain. Harness
leather for some cause, which our tanners
do not attempt to give, has hardly been as
active as it raS two weeks ago Collar and
betting leather are in good demand and
products move out as fast as they are ready
for markets.
In. Footwear Lines.
Here is what the Boston Herald has to say
as to tie situation in that great shoe center:
"The feature in the boot and shoe trade is
a bigger movement. but at easier prices. 1t
will be remembered that il was mentioned
last week that a large number of salesman
with samples were out from the boot trade,
and that desperate attempt would be made
TO obta in orders. Such was the true state of
the case, and the orders have been obtained,
bu. the business has been done at lower
prices. Orders have been taken for boots
at ali the way from 81 to 81 per case on
split and kip boots below the figures that
we're obtained for like goods a year ago. 1t
is claimed in the trade that some houses
have taken orders for boots at from 10 per
cent to 12 per cent in price below the fiI-
ures obtained last year. Those houses that
have not taken such orders claim that it is
not possible to make the goods at such
prices with any profits whatever. But, on
the sther hand, it must be remembered that
some grades OF leather are lower than q year
ago, though the item of labor is costing fully
as much as year ago, and prominent houses
claim that labor is even higher. Beltknife
splits are selling for fully 6 per cent less
money than a year ago, while union splits in
the best gra les are worth fully as much as n
year ago. Some grades OF kip leather are
selling at from Z to per cent lower prices
than year ago, and about the same is true
OF wax leather.
But, in spite OF the fact of somew hat lower
leather, many of the boot and shoe nanurac-
turing trade are q good deal disturbed over
the fact of lower prices. They feel that the
competition can scarcely be met, and yet, if
one is in the trade, it must be met.