The record-union., 1897-12-25
Reports Show a Remarkably Large
Holiday Trade.
An Unexpected Demand for Products in
Several Important Branches.
The Year Draws to a Close with
Results Fully Equaling ana III
Many Respects Surprising
Early Expectations-Changes IN
Prices Largely in an Upward
Direction.

NEW YORK, Dec. 24.-R. G. Dun q
Co.'s weekly Review OF Trace VIA
say:
The weekly reports show remarks
bly, large holiday trade, at many poin'"
the largest for five years. Moreover
at the season when wholesale business
usually shrinks and the pressure Oh de-
mands for immediate delivery, Wn1ch
results from unprecedented dlstr1pu-
tion to consumers, keeps many eslap-
lishlnents at work that usually peglh
their yearly rest spell somewhat earlier,
Instead of decreasing, the demand LOT
products show an unexpected increase
tn several important branches.
Foreign trade continues satisfactory
even in comparison with the remarka-
ble record of a year ago, When eA-
ports exceeded $117, 100000 in Decem-
ber
Bank failures at Philadelphia, due to
individual operations, cause no DIS
turbances. Commercial failures for
the month have been less than hall
last years to the same date.
The outgoing food Of grain is not
checked by Chicago speculation
though more corn than wheat has been
moving. Wheat exports, flour includ-
ed, have been 3.69S, ,321 bushels for the
week, against 3,56S,S ,S05 the previous
week, and 1,546, ,443 a year ago, and
for four weeks 1906 ,S95 bushels,
against 9,039,5S last year. This
years wheat movement for the half
year nearly ended has been close to the
maximum reached in 1891.
Wheat has varied little, closing sc
higher for the week, after deliveries
of surprising magnitude at Chicago and
corn closes nearly a cent higher.
Woolen mills have begun buying do
mestic wool heavily, especially Montana
and Territory, as if assured of large
business for the season about to open.
Contracts Of unknown magnitude have
been made, it is said, many at previous
prices but others at a moderate ad-
vance. Wool is more firm, traders
having disposed of 100000 pounds
Territory and 100000 pounds do
mestic at Boston, and sales at three
cities reached 1900, 100 pounds.
There was a stronger demand for
iron and its products, Bessemer rising
TO SO and gray forge to SO at Pitts
burg. Owing to possible changes in
freight rates, southern pig is offered 2oc
lower
A striking feature is the unusual de-
mand for the season in building cars,
of which 4,000 have been ordered at
Chicago by one trunk line, and rails
there have advanced to $40 in new
business, with sales here of 5000 tons
for home use and 1000 for Mexico.
Building contracts in unusual number
for the season come up, also contracts
for three drainage canals at Chicago.
The Illinois Steel Works have eight
months business booked with more
orders offered. Pipe is dull ard weak.
The output of Connellsville coke,
155. .121 tons, is the largest for any
week this year. and contracts to supply
a Mahoning furnace at 81 60 for half
next year have been made. Anthracite
coal is 10 cents stronger with colder
weather. Tin is slightly weaker owing
to large shipments.
Failures for the week have been 292
in the United States, against 297 last
year. and 33 in Candada, against A
last year.
NEW YORK, Dec. 24-Bradstreet's
Tomorrow will say:
QuietnesS in wholesale trade, but pro-
nounced and notable activity in retail
trade, have been the salient features
in this weeks trade situation. Price
changes, which are numerous, are
largely in an upward direction and the
year draws to a. close with results as a
whole fully equaling and in many in
stances surprising early expectations.
Perhaps the most notable feature has
been the unanimity with which the
trade reports from all parts of the coun-
try, with some few exceptions, point to
a very heavy holiday trade, in nearly
all cases comparing favorably with re-
cent preceding years. Reports are that
stocks OF these goods have been heavily
reduced.
Particularly prominent in reporting
a good retail trade in the West are
Chicago, st. Louis and Kansas City.
At the South New Orleans reports re-
tailers reaping a harvest, and December
trade larger than usual. Similarly good
reports come from Nashville, Savannah
and Memphis, but collections and busi-
ness would be larger were it not for the
low price of cotton.
In the Northwest colder weather has
improved the demand for seasonable
goods. and this combined with the
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