Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-20
DuN's REPORT.
Thanksgiving Holidays Having lis Usual Effect
The Situation in General.

stock taking and of holidays. Colder
weather has done much to accelerate
retail trade. so greatly delayed in
many lines by unusually mild and open
weather. In spite of this delay, and
the ideas that it may render prices
mere favorable to buyers, dispatches,
today, from all parts Of the West and
South show large volume of business.
and though the fever at the South
binders and stock speculation here does
not swell clearings at it did five years
ago, the payments through clearing
houses are for the month only Is per
cent. less than 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 take all the orders offered.
while others are committed, far
ahead as they are willing to be. The
output in several great industries is
considerably the largest known and
confidence in yet greater business next
year is undated.
Wheat had 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. which have been three weeks
in November. $780, 1863 bushels, against
6,O52, $50, last year. Corn exports have
been 7,01O,041 bushels against GAL, $50,
last year. Cotton declined to 5.S1 cents
with heavy receipts, but closed at 5.S7
with better foreign demand and with
frosts which have lessened the pros
poets of heavy movement later.
Iron products have changed but
slightly in price, with wire nails and
rods shade lower, and while the con-
sumption of pig iron is the largest ever
known. Works in some branches are
| receiving orders equal to the output
while other branches have orders so
for ahead that they are unable or I'M
willing to take more. Anthracite coal
| continues weak, with sales at 81 net
here, the production in October having
been 5.l2O,O 600 tons. Tin is sustained by
a large consumption. Lead is q little
| lower at $3.75 and a break in spelter
| has reduced the price at Pittsburg to
$4O5
The boot and shoe manufacturers
notwithstanding extreme narrowness
of orders for spring is SO busy that the
immmediate demands that shipments
from Boston in November have been
third larger than in 1892, and total
shipments, this year, have now sur
passed those of any previous year to
date, those of 1892 by about 10 per cent
The buying is restricted to needs IF
dealers, the distribution to consumers
must have far exceeded expectations
Considering the curtailment of deal
ings with the South, the movement of
| products is remarkable. Holders of
leather still confidently hold prices and
quotations average slightly higher, this
week, as do hides at Chicago.
The wooden market is embarrassed
by the delay Of winter weather which
retards orders from clothiers. although
time ahead, and while cold weather
and active retail trade would quickly
bring q change, prices of wool are so
high that some mills have stopped
part OF their looms. Cases are men,
toned Of mills which could realize a
profit of $4,000 to $4,000 by selling the
wool they hold but expect none by
manufacturing at current prices. Wool
markets have become gtagnant am,
sales are almost wholly to realize spec
uiative profits, amounting at the three
chief markets to only 4,213, 900 pounds
for the week. Cotton goods continue
weak as raw material declines, and
goods are rather lower.
Failures for the week have been PSF
In the United States against 344 last
year. and 80 in Canada against 40 las,
year.
r. 6. Dun & Co. on Canadian trade
says: Canadian reports continue to show
very satisfactory increase Of business
on the whole, with gains on account OF
colder weather. st. John reports very
fair business in groceries, dry goods. and
fair in hardware. with a retail trade a
good average, but little in lumber and
large stocks carried over. Retail trade
at Halifax is thought likely to Improve
with more seasonable weather. but whole.
sale business is not above the average
Montreal reports active retail distribution
tor the season. though it is likely to de.
crease In few days, with the closing Of
navigation. Collections are good and
money to Z per cent. The wholesale
trade improves. especially in fancy goods
with increasing orders in shoes, rubbers
and heavy dry goods and mems furnish.
ings and hosiery are fairly active ant