The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-26
BRADsTREET's p


New York, December z2--Brad-
viii say:
Holiday trade activity, Of course,
reaches its highest development during
he week now drawing to a close and it
is significant of the prosperous condi-
tions underlying general business stu
ception point to a volume of business
having few, If any, parallels in pre-
vious years. Another significant fea-
ture developed, also, Is that the de-
mand for such goods embraces a
higher a and a more expensive
grade of materials, a conclusion among
trade reporters being that a larger
buying capacity exists now than on
any previous yea Of the country's
history. This favorable condition, too,
exists In face Of the fact that WEI
conditions have not altogether favored
rail distribution of winter goods, the
result being less activity in purely re-
tail lines than had been looked for.
though comparisons with one year ago
are generally favorable.
Wholesale trade at this season
usually shows a quieting tendency. b u
it Is questionable whether this tendency
is as marked this year as in former
periods. To the advanced stage Of the
season chiefly, and perhaps also to the
sentimental effect growing out of Strin-
gent money conditions in speculative
lines may be charged some of the quiet
ness noted. AS above intimated how
ever, this IS less marked h in ordi-
airy years.
Just how much influence upon cur
rent bank clearings has been exercised
by none market developments, and
what the effect anticipations of inter
est payments on January LIST, estimat-
I'd to aggregate 500, OO0. 900, have had
upon bank clearings it would be hard
TO state accurately.
Prices generally have shown excep-
tional strength, the great majority of
staple quotations remaining unchang-
ed as a result of the weeks operations.
AS exceptions to this might be instanc-
ed flour, pork, coffee and lard, which
are higher, While copper, cotton and
tin are lower. War news and tight
money combined caused a slump early
in the week in cotton, but the close
found prices of the actual staple, spot
cotton, only Slightly below the opening.
The interior movement of COTTON has
failed to expand, and there are evil
dences that foreign buyers covered
heavily at the decline.
Wheat, including -four, shipments for
THE week aggregate 2,S13,714 bushels,
against 3,25S,64 bushels last week,
5,515. 231 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1892, 4,577,559 bushels in 1897,
2,111, 702, bushels in 1896, and 3,457, 991
bushels in 1895. Since July LIST, this
season. the exports of wheat aggre-
gate 100, 373, GAO bushels, against lis, 236,
OS4 bushels last e a and 1913, sec, 756
bushels in 1898.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
1910, 900 bushels, against 4,017,1 S5 bush
els last week, 4,103,6 73 bushels in this
week a year ago, 4,879,011 bushels in
1897, 2,46S, 160 bushels in 1896 and 1889, 2S6
in 1895. Since July LIST, this season,
corn exports aggregate los, 416, $50
bushels against ", 29O, 1874 bushels u
ing the same period a req ago and
rs, 26O, 1874 bushels in 1878.
Business failures are fewer than or
binary this s though exceptional
money conditions have caused some few
heavy endorsements and the ensu-
ing liabilities will swell the months
totals considerably. The total number
of embarrassments this week is 211, as
compared with 211 hast week, =
this week a year ago and 2S0 in 1897.