The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-31
TWIN CITIES TRADE
EXCELLENT BUSINESS IS REPORT
ED IN ALL of THE VARIOUS
LINES
FEELING OF SATISFACTION

Demand Was Never Better at This
Season Of the Year-Merchants
Here and Elsewhere Are Buying
I'm Anticipation of Future Wants
Firm UndertOne in Wool Mar
ket-Iron and Steel Active.
St. Paul-Dry goods jobbers report ex-
cellent business by travelling men. and free
buying by many merchants from North and
South Dakota. Paints and oils are finding
a ready market, wholesalers increasing their
force to meet the demand. Hardware is also
moving we'll, with January sales larger than
a year ago. The country trade in this line
is quiet, but merchants are anticipating wants.
Among jobbers generally the feeling is one
OF satisfaction, and city retailers report the
best trade for years. Collections good
Dun's Review. Jan. %.
Observation-Disclosures continues steady,
with prices firm, and shipments 5,460,000 feet,
against 3,675,000 last year. Real estate trans
fers. $74,651, against $54.511 last year. Flour
output, reported by the Northwestern Miller:
Minneapolis, 295 800 bbls, against 215, 230 last
year: Superior-Duluth 295, $50 bbls, against
42,010; Milwaukee, 1885, against 29,52o; st.
Louis. $780, against 44.O0O total, $50, 100 bbls
against 30O,765 last year. The -four market
shows some improvement. with large domes-
tic demand Minneapolis sales, 215, 900 bb.s,
and foreign shipments SO, 525 bbls. Indications
are that the implement trade will open earlier
than usual and the demand is satisfactory in
hardware. drugs, paints and oils, with spring
orders for dry goods beyond expectations. The
convention Of Northwestern lumbermen this
week brought a large number Of merchants.
Money is easy and two Of the largest banks
To ctr To
duce their capital. There is better feeling
among dealers in all lines, and business con-
ditions are much improved-Dun's Review,
Jan. %.
st. Paul-Trade conditions continue favor
able from the standpoint of jobbers in general
lines OF merchandise. Sales show some in
crease in volume, and collections are CORE
spondingly good. The outlook for spring trade
Is considered good.-Bradstreet's Jan. %.
M1nneapO1is-There are no unusual fea-
lures in the trade situation this week, but
general business is very good for the season.
Money Is easy.-Bradstreet's. Jan. %.
GENERAL TRADE.
Dry GOOds-Although the demand for cot
ton goods on home trade account has not ex-
panded to a material extent during the past
week, there has been an increase in the num-
Der OF inquiries coming forward. and more
evidepces Of interest growing keener in the
general situation. On behalf Of exporters also
there have been increased evidences of grow
Ing requirements. The continued upward
progress in the raw cotton market Is in some
degree responsible for this, and its influence
Is seen also In growing reserve on the part
OF sellers with regard to forward contracts
There have been few open changes in prices
during the week, but these have been In an
upward direction. The mems wear wooden
goods division has been more or less democrat
lied by Unexpectedly low prices made by the
washington mills, and closes unsettled. Dress
goods are gradually improving, and silks are
strong.-Dun's Review, Jan 49,
Dry GoOds-Trade continues fair In most
departments Of the Boston market for cottons.
with prices firm. Gray goods hold very
strong, and this is Strengthening finished
fabrics. Raw cotton has worked higher,
which also adds strength to the situation
Buyers have purchased quite freely during
the past two months, the jobbing movement
having helped out business at first hands.
Printed fabrics are going well, the strong
price OF the gray goods having. encouraged
free buying to stock up. Ginghams are in ex-
cellent shape and the market firm, with lib
WOOleQ0
are quiet with agents. but jobbers have had
q better business of late Men's-wear wool
ems are quiet. Some orders for heavy over
coatings for fall have been placed, but suit
fngs are Observation-Disclosures. Jan, g.
WooI-Ihe market maintains firm under
tone. but the demand continues moderate
Prices on the spot are cheap and manufac
turers are not disposed to buy more until
wooden goods sales are further advanced.
The London market continues firm. and To
date, about 1000 bales have been taken for
America, mostly crossbreds. These latter
woods show an advance Of Is to 20 per cent.
compared with last sales, while choice
merinos are in good call in London at about
5@7 per cent advance over the December sale
Australian woods here are firm, but recent
purchases have been moderate Territory
woods hold steady and move slowly as rule
with prices about the same. Quarter-bIood
unwashed combings are held about 1 cent
higher in sympathy with the advance in
Australian crossbreds. Carpet woods are quiet
but steady
sensation in shape Of the Washington mills
new prices on clay mixtures, serges and
cheviots. These were expected to be lower
than last year, but no outside of that
concern looked for reduction averaging
nearly 20 per cent. Clay mixtures were quot
ed the basis Of Is ounces, N25 Qast year
$1.521k): serges basis Is ounces, 81, against
$780, and cheviots. basis IS ounces &c.
against $1.10. On this low level the Wash
ington people report large business, but in
other directions sellers have been more dis
posed to hold aloof for the time being than
to compete. particularly as come early orders
taken on other lines at higher prices have
within the past few days been Cancelled. The
market is thus in decidedly unsettled con-
diuon in new heavy weight trouserings and
suitings. Recorders on light weights continue
fair for the time of year and at steady prices.
Overcoatings are generally dull and prices
irregular. Cloakings inactive throughout.
Business in dress goods improving in volume.
and tone generally steady. Flannels and
blankets quiet.-Dun's Review Jan %.
Cotton GOOds-Heavy weight sheetinrs
and drills continue strong. The current de-
mand keeps the market clean, and sellers
grow more reserved. Occasional advances Of
No per yard reported in standards. 3-yard
and 4-yard goods. The fine yarn light
weight situation continues strong. and prices
are against buyers. Ducks firm, but quiet.
Bleached cottons Arm In all grades, with
moderate sales. Wide shestings also firm.
Cotton hanneIs and blankets quiet Den,ms
are occasionally No to 1ac per yard higher.
with improved demand. Ticks, pIaids. and
other coarse colored cottons Ia moderate re-
quest, with prices steady. Kid-hnished CAM
brics firm, but demand moderate, Tho fol-
lowing are approximate quotations. Brown
sheetings, standard, 4ssc to 4%c; 3-yards. 40
to 4sc, 4-yards. 3Me to 9Ac, Brown drills.
standards. 43sc to 4He; 3-yards. 40 to 4Ac;