Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-08
DUN'S REVIEW OF TRADE.

NEW 1OpA, Lee. III. u. DuQ q
Company's Weekly Review Of Trade
tomorrow will say:
Business is progressing along con-
sentative lines. 1t is without excite
ment and without great speculative
activity, but with a confident under
tone which is to be explained largely
by the fact that leading concerns in
most of the great industries have or
ders booked to employ their machinery
at nearly full capacity during months
when curtailment is usual. No net
reduction in working force has appear
ed in the last fortnight, and a read
justment of wage schedules in some
branches of the steel trade is effected
without trouble. Prices of commodi-
ties are generally steady and holiday
trade is brisk at all points.
The South is particularly cheerful
with cotton firm and the rice crop COM
ing in at very full prices.
There is no cause for alarm in the
small volume of business at iron and
steel centers. With the first sign of
higher prices there came forward such
a flood of contracts that mills and
furnaces booked orders sufficient to
keep their full force employed for
months.
Hence there has come more quiet
condition with less bidding for pro-
ducts. Fortunately quotations were not
forced up unreasonably during the
weeks of greatest activity, and now
there is no sign of depression. On the
other hand, bars are more firmly held,
while many idle mills have resumed in
this department and sheet makers also
insist on better terms. Other forms of
finished material are steady and at
most points pig is unchanged although
concessions are made for Besemer at
Pittsburg. Numerous bridges are erect
ed by the railroads, and a heavy ton
mage of structural steel is taken. Other
railway supplies are in active demand,
with rolling stock urgently sought
Business in iron is particularly brisk
at Chicago, with slight moderation in
domestic buying, and more attention
is given to exports.
Aside from a further advance of 2b
cents in mems kip boots and firmness
in grain shoes, the market for footwear
has quieted down. but with no DISPOSE
ton to recede from the generally higher
range established last week Makers
have fewer new orders, however, and
heavy footwear has been purchased for
the seasons requirements. The custom
airy holiday demand has not appeared,
though retailers have full lines of fancy
shoes and slipper. There is a shortage
in some grades of hemlock sole, but it
has ceased to advance. Hides are cas-
ier, especially for country lines at Chi
cago. Even after the decline of the
past two weeks the average is above
the closing prices of October. Wool
remains steady and sales are less than
half last years. Manufacturers pur-
chase carefully and the goods market
is unusually dull for the season.
For the first time in many weeks the
cereals exhibited strength and some ad-
vance was to be expected after the ex-
tensive decline. Wheat was started up
ward by foreign markets and prompt
response here compelled covering of
contracts. Nothing of Importance was
learned regarding domestic conditions
aside from the heavy marketing at in
terror cities, as indicated by western
receipts of $685., 402 bushels, against
3,901,79S in the previous week and 81
Zo5,UlU year ago. On the other hand
exports at the Atlantic coast cities were
only 2,214,409 bushels, against 3.359,677
in 1899. More strength was shown by
corn which brought out receipts of A.
6C9, 166 bushels, against 3,450772 last
year, but foreign buying was brisk even
at quotations seven cents higher than
last year, Atlantic exports for the week
aggregating 6,336,715 bushels, against
3,703,279 in 1892 Cotton was Stubborn
ly held above 10 cents. Many reports
from plantations suggest crop larger
than prevailing estimates, and heavy
port receipts also discouraged hopes of
higher prices. Traders impatiently
await the government report.
Failures for the week were psf in the
United States, against 22i last year, and
% in Canada, against 80 last year.