Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-25
oyH's REPORT.
Heavy Holiday Trade -Nool Firmsr- lotion
lowsr-iran Stronger.

New York. Dec. A.-R. G. Dun & Co.
IN their weekly review of trade. will say:
The weekly reports show a remarkably
large holiday trade, at many points the
largest for fiVe years. Moreover, at the
season when wholesale business usually
shrinks. the pressure of demands for i'm
mediate delivery, which results from un-
precedented distribution to consumers,
finds many establishments at work that
usually begin their yearly resting spell
somewhat earlier. Instead of decreasing,
the demand for products shows an unex-
pected increase in several important
branches. Foreign trade continues salts
factory. even in comparison with the re-
markable record of year ago, when ex-
ports exceeded Sill, 00O, 900 in December
Bank failures at Philadelphia, due to
individual operations, cause no disturb
ance, and commercial failures for the
month have been less than last years to
the same date.
The outgoing flood of grain is not
checked by Chicago speculation. though
more corn than wheat has been moving.
Wheat exports. flour included, have been
3, 69S, 321 bushels for the week, against g.
56S, S05 the previous week. and 1546. 443 the
year ago. while corn exports for the week
were 4,54o.S2S bushels, against 175i,740 last
year.
Cotton goods have still further declined
in prices Of bleached, which meet active
Southern competition, and the Fall River
spinners insist upon reduction of one
ninth in wages, other New England mills
joining. Out of 1O1 New England works.
45 have passed dividends, IA at Fall River
with Is others paying per cent. for the
last quarter. The fall in the price of cot
ton, when mills were holding heavy
stocks of goods placed this industry in
most embarrassing position.
Wooden mills have begun buying domes-
tic wool heavily, especially Montana and
territorial woods, 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 moderate advance.
Wool is more firm, traders having dis
posed of 3.300000 pounds territory and L.
SOC. 600 other domestic at Boston, and sales
at three cities reached 7,S0s 100 pounds.
Shipments of boots and shoes from the
last year, then the greatest for that
month. and 81 per cent. larger than in
1892. This unprecedented movement for
two months has been almost wholly to
meet urgent demands caused by sales
greater than dealers anticipated, so that
nearly all orders for January and later
months have been met by supplementary
shipments. New business for the next
season is very small.
Buying of leather is closely confined to
necessities and prices have changed but
slightly, though speculation appears in
5000 sides sent in at II cents is reported.
Hides at Chicago are weaker. and on calf
skins one cent lower. with the decision
against the duty of two cents.
There is a stronger demand for iron and
its products, bessemer rising to SO and
Grey forge to So at Pittsburg. and the
Eastern Bar Association has advanced the
price to IL cent for refined and 1.O21s for
Owing to possible changes in
freight rates, Southern pig is offered %
cents lower Tin is slightly weaker, ow-
ing to large shipments.
Failures for the week have been 1872 in
the United States, against 291 last year,
and SO in Canada. against "A last year.
Canadian trade is on the whole very
good, considering the season. and as re-
spects holiday trade. exceptionally good.
st. John reports a rather quiet week in
the wholesale trade but holiday business
quite as good as usual, with fair collec-
tons. At Halifax retail trade has been
by fair weather and cOllec-
tons are reported good. The retail holt
day trade at Montreal is much better
than for several years past.
At Toronto, wholesale trade is quiet.
but retail trade in all lines is larger than
for many years and payments are fair.
At Victoria, wholesale trade Is generally
for the season, with consid-
cradle increase in activity of retail trade
and payments are good Vancouver re-
ports holiday trade good and wholesale
business less active, with fair collections.