The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-12-30
BIG HOLIDAY TRADE.
At Many Points 1t Is the Largest I'm
sH 4: Five! Years. &

At Many Points 1t Is the Largest I'm
s 4 Five: Years.
y New York, Dec. 25.-R. G. Dun & Co.,
in their weekly review of trade, say:
1.-THE weekly reports show a remarkably
large holiday trade at many points, the larg-
est for five years. Moreover, at the season
when wholesale business usually shrinks,
the pressure OF demands for immediate de-
liveries. which results from unprecede nted
distribution to consumers, keeps many es-
adjustments at work that usually begin
their yearly rest spell somewhat earlier.
Instead of decreasing, the demand for prod
ucts shows an unexpected increase in sew
eral important branches. Foreign trade
continues satisfactory. even in compari-
son with the remarkable record Of a wear
ago, when exports exceeded Sill, 900, 200 in
december Bank failures at Philadelphia,
due to individual operations, cause no dis
turbance, and commercial failures for the
month have been less than half 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.
Last years corn movement was by far the
greatest ever known, and this years wheat
movement for the half year nearly ended
has. been close to the maximum reached in
1891. Wheat has varied little, closing 3
cents higher for the week, after deliveries
OF surprising magnitude at Chicago, and
corn closes nearly a cent higher. Cotton
has also been moving largely and has risen
sixteenth.
Cotton goods have further declined in
prices of bleached which meet active south
ern competition, and the Fall River spin
ners insist upon reduction Of one-ninth
in: wages, other New England mills ioin-
ing. Out Of 1o1 New England works, Is
have passed dividends, IA at Fall River,
with 10 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 en-
barrassing position.
WOODEN mills have begun buying do
nestle wool heavily, especially in Mon
tana. as If assured of large bust
ness for the season about to open. Con-
tracts or unknown magnitude have been
made, 1t is said, many at previous prices,
but others at moderate advance
Ihere is stronger demand for iron and
Its products, Bessemer rising to $40 and
gray forge to 50 at Pittsburgh and the
Eastern Bar association has advanced the
price to IL cents for refined and 1.O2h
for common. Owing to possible changes
IN freight rates southern pig is offered q
cents lower. A striking feature is the; un-
usual demand for the season in building
cars, of which 1000 have been ordered at
Chicago by one trunk line and rails there
have advanced to $50 In new business. with
sales there of 5000 tons for home use and
1900 for Mexico. Building contracts in I'M
usual 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 offering.
Failures for the week have been g.:
In the United States. against 297 last year,
and 80 in Canada, against A last year.
Bradstreet's says:
"Quietness in wholesale lines. but nro.
nounced and notable activity in retail trade
have been the salient features in this
weeks Grade situation. Price changes.
which are numerous, are largely in an uo-
ward direction, and the year draws to a
closerwith,results as whole fully euualine
and In many instances surprising early ex-
pectat1ons. Perhaps the most nota BILE fea-
ture has been the unanimity with which
the trade reports from all parts of the
country, with few exceptions, point to q
very heavy holiday trade, in nearly all
.oeding 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 retailers reaping harvest
and December trade larger than usual,
Similarly good reports come from Nash.
vile. Savannah and Memphis, but collec.
lions and business would be larger were Il
not for the low price Of cotton. In the
northwest colder weather has improved the
demand Tor seasonable goods, and tnis.
combined with the usua! holiday business
has resulted in good total trade, WITH
specially good reports from Milwaukee. St.
Paul and Omaha. At the east seasona bic
conditions prevail, wholesale trade benin
quiet and holiday business active. No i'm.
prove1nent is noted in the cotton goods sit.
| uation and wage reductions seem immi.
nent. Good business has peen done in boots
| and shoes and shipments are fer ahead OF
last year. Pacific coast retail trade is &C.
tive. and Klondike boomers are gather.
Ing in the cities Of Washington and Ore