Phoenix weekly herald., 1898-01-06
THE STATE OF TRADE.
Summary From Bradstreet.s.

QuietneSS in wholesale lines but pro-
 nounced and notable activity in retail l trade have been the salient features | of this weeks trade situation. Price | changes which are numerous are | largely in an upward direction, and | the year draws to a close with results l as whole fully equaling, and in many 1 instances SurpaSSing expectations Perhaps the most notable feature has been the unanimity with which trade reports from all parts of the country with some few exceptions, point to a
 heavy holiday trade, in nearly all cas- es comparing fayorably with recent preceding years. Reports are that stocks of these goods have been heav-
 fly reduced Particularly prominent
 in reporting a good trade in the west
 City. At the south New Orleans re-
 ports retailers reaping a harvest and
 December trade larger than usual
 Similarly good reports come from
 Nashville, Savannah and Memphis
 but collections and business 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 us-
 ual holiday business has resulted in a
 good total trade, with specially good reports from Milwaukee, St. Paul and
 Omaha. At the east reasonable con- d1tonS prevail, wholesale trade being quiet and holiday business active. Jewelry salesmen have sold their samples more generally this year than usual. No improvement is noted in the cotton goods situation and wage reductions seem imminent A good business has been done in boots and shoes and shipments are far ahead of last year. Pacific coast retail trade is active and klondyke boomers are gathering in the cities of Washington and Oregon As above intimated, the price situation is a favorable one. Two decreases, one in lead and the other in southern pig iron holdc1= of which are more willing io do business 1t concessions, are to be noted against gains in value on the part of wheat, corn, oats, lard, coffee, molaSses, cot ton, and last but not least, BeSSemer pig iron and steel billetS, which are in active demand in the central west The unchanged list includes flour, pork, beef, sugar, printclothS, copper and wool.
 Stock speculation at New York is
 strong and advancing under profes- ional bullish manipulations, the feat lreS being New York local traction tockS and the anthracite coal shares. ApprehenSionS that the market may 'e disturbed by tight money have been elieyed by the large amount of cur ency sixes presented for redemption nd the announcement that a part of he Union Pacific installment payable ext Monday will be deposited in the Sew York banks. The bond markst ; strong, with Reading follrs- -tlfe the feat re. Municipal b0fd issues continue t high prices-
 Bank clearings reflect the quieting influence of this time of the year in a 1tal amount to $1,33O, 100000 a sum mailer by per cent. than that of lst week, but larger by 26 per cent nan in this week year ago.
 Commercial failures in the United tates remain about normal The to- Il for this week amounts to 2S0 as 0mpared with 2S3 in the previous eek, but is smaller than the total in S95, when 316 were reported. Proof that the unsettled condition of le wheat situation affects the export lsiness in that cereal is furnished by le figures of shipments this week om both coasts of the United States Id Canada. The total exports re- ,rted to Bradstreet'S aggregate, (hour = U6e,5Tt1I- ffTT55J. T55J .559 bushels, as against 5O4 900 pusi.eIs fs1St-week and 6.266,- Q bushels two weeks ago Indian m exports for the week are 4.S19,- 1 bushels. against 4.129, SIS bushels st week, 246S, 900 this week a year 70, l. 1.S39, ,000 bushels in 1895. Improved weather conditions in Can
 la have exercised beneficial effect ,on general distributive trade. Good ads and a cheerful outlook are re rted from Montreal and active grain ovement is reported from Toronto, ith predictions of a good business for e opening months of 1S9S-