The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-11-24
TRADE REVIEW.
Activity in the Retail Trade with Approach
Of the Holidays


n. G.. Dun & Cos weekly review OF
trade reports for last week as follows:
All markets and all industries are
working toward the period of Thanks
giving, of stock taking and of holidays.
Colder weather has done much to ac-
celerate retail trade so greatly delayed
in many cities by unusually mild and
open weather. The producing force in
creases on the whole. and many manu-
facturers are unable to take all the
orders offered, while others are COM
mitted as far ahead as they are WILL
ing to be. The output in seve al great
industries is considerably the largest
ever known, and confidence in yet
greater business next year Is unabated
Hesitation in speculative markets is in
part because an immense capital has
been turned from them to investment
In productive enterprises.
Wheat has advanced a cent during
the week and small fluctuations have
been due to reports about Argentina
rather th>n to the heaviest exports
ever known. Atlantic exports, fiour'in
cluded. have been in three weeks of
November $685. 1863 bushels against g.
Oo2,lO6 bushels last year. and in the
crop year thus far over $36, ,000,-
600 bushels, while the western receipts
have been In three weeks q, ,203, $50
bushels against 14,996SSS bushels last
year.
Corn exports have been 7,010,041
bushels against 6,441,6SS bushels last
year. Cotton declined to 5.s1 cents
with heavy receipts. but closed at 5.S7c
with good foreign demand and frosts.
which have lessened the prospect of n
heavy movement later.
Iron products have changed but
slightly In price with wire nails a shade
lower. and while the consumption Of
pig is the largest ever known, works
In some branches are receiving orders
equal to their output, while others
have orders so far ahead that they are
unable or unwilling to take more. There
is less activity in bars at present, but
healthy demand at the West for manu-
featuring. car building and other uses,
| and rails are in larger demand there,
while some eastern works have recent
ly taken orders for months ahead.
Sheets are less active and competition
reduces the price of tin plates a little
further. Gray forge is slightly lower,
with eastern and Chicago prices of pig
iron unchanged. notwithstanding the
great output and stocks are being fur
ther reduced.
The coke output was 150,5s7 tons for
the week, with furnace selling at 81 75
for the rest of this year. Anthracite
coal continues weak, with sales at 81
net here, the production in October
having been 5,l20.000 tons Tin is sus-
tained by large consumption; lead is a
little lower at SIC, and a break in
spelter has reduced the price at Pitts
burg to 81 05.
The woolen market is embarrassed
by the delay of winter weather. which
| retards orders from clothiers, although
| most works have enough work for
some time, and though cold weather
would quickly bring a change, prices
! OF wool are so high that some mills
have stopped part of their looms. Cas-
es are mentioned of mills which could
realize profit of 100000 or $500 900 by
selling the wool they hold but can ex-
! pect none by manufacturing at current
| prices. Wool markets have become
stagnant and sales are almost wholly
to realize speculative profits, amount
| ing at the three chief markets to only
4213,000 pounds for the week. Cotton
| goods continue weak as raw material
declines and goods are rather lower.
Failures for the week have been 267
In the United States against 344 last
year, and 32 in Canada against 40 last
year.