The Portland daily press., 1897-11-20
RETAIL TRADE ACCELERATED.
Long Delayed Cold Weather Has Done
the Business.

Clearing House Payments UptO Those of
Five Years Ago-wheat Has Advanced
During the Week.
New York, Novemer 19.-R. G. Dun
& Co. s weekly review of trade says: All
markets and all Industries are working
toward the period of Thanksgiving, of
stock taking and of holidays. Colder
weather has done much to accelerate
retail trade, SO greatly delayed in may
lines by ununsualy mild and open
weather. In spite of this delay, and the
idea that it may render prices more fav-
orable to buyers, dispatches today from
all parts of tho west and south show
large volume of business and though
fever at the south hinders and stock spec
ultion here does not swell clearings as
it did five years ago, the payments through
clearing houses for the month are only Is
per cent less than in 1892, and for the
week outside New York, 1.2 per cent
larger. The producing force increases on
the whole and many manufacturers are
unable to fill the orders offered, while
others are committed as far ahead as they
great industries is considerably the larg-
est ever known, and confidence in yet
greater business next year is unabated.
Wheat has advanced a cent during the
week and small fluctuations have been
due to reports about Argentina rather
than to the heaviest exports ever known.
Atlantic exports, flour included,
8, ,799, $50 bushels, against 6,025, 106 last
year. Corn exports have been 7,0l0,0n
bushels, against 6, AL $3.50 last year. Cot
ton declined to 5.S1 cents with heavy
receipts, but closed at 5.S7 with better
foreign demand, and with frosts which
have lessened the prospects of a heavy
movement later.
= Iron products have changed but slight
y in price, with wire nails and rods a
shade lower, while the consumption
OF pig iron is the largest ever known.
WORKS IN some branches are receiving
orders equal to their output, while other
branches have orders so far ahead that
they are unable or unwilling to take
more Anthracite coal continues weak,
With sales at 81 net here, the production
in October having been 5,12O, 900 tons.
lin is sustained by large consumption.
Lead is little lower at 375 and a break
in spelter has reduced the price at Pitts
burg to 4. 05.
The boot and shoe manufacturer not
W16hstandlng extreme narrowness Of
mediate demands that shipments from
Boston in November have been a third
larger than in 1892, and total shipments
this year have now surpassed those of anv
previous year to date. those of 1892 by
about 10 per cent. Considering the curtaiI
ment of dealings with the South the move
ment of products is remarkable Holders
of leather still confidently hold prices.
and quotations average slightly higher
this week, as do hides at Chicago.
The woolen market is embarrassed by
the delay of winter weather which re-
tards orders from clothiers, although
most works have enough for some time
ahead, and while cold weather and active
retail trade would quickly bring a
change, prices Of wool are SO high that
some mills have stopped part of their
looms. Cases are mentioned of mills
which could realize profit Of $40, 900 to
$50, GOO by selling the wool they hold, but
can expect none by manufacturing at
current prices. Wool markets have be-
come stagnant and sales are almost
wholly to realize speculative profits,
amounting at the three chief markets to
only 4,2l3,0 900 pounds forsthe weeks Cot
ton goods continue weak as raw material
declines, and goods are rather lower.
a Failures for the week have been 267 in
the United States against 344 last year.
and 50 in Canada, against 40 last year.