The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-20
BUSINESS Is STEADY
BRADSTREETs SUMMING UP OF
SITUATION SHOWS CHANGES
ARE SLIGHT
MILD WEATHER A DRAWBACK
Phenomenal Stretch Of Spring-Like
January Conditions Detrimental
to Retail Trade-Iron and Steel
Industry Still Actively Employed
on Old Orders-Cereals Are Dull
Lumber Rules Strong.

NEW YORK, Jan. 19-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say;
General trade and prices as a whole
maintain the even balance which has
been the leading feature for some time
past, and in which it will require the ad-
vent Of distinctly new features to effect
any basic change. General demand is
large for this season of the year,
but speculation is quiet to the extreme of
dullness In some lines, and especial
ly In those branches Of speculation
which gradually affects financial af-
fairs, and therefore the volume Of bank
lines Of industry fails to show marked
unfavorable features.
1T Is true that the retail trade in sea-
sonable goods has been and is being af-
fected by phenomenaMy mild weather,
but wherever spring trade, particularly
in dry goods, has been developed, it has
been In such volume and accompanied
with such readiness of acceptance of
advanced prices. as to point to undimin-
1shed confidence on the part Of the trade
world as to the outlook for spring bus
mess.
''The iron and steel industry justly re-
garded as a trustworthy index Of gen
eral trade, is still actively employed on
old orders, and business Is limited for
reasons unnecessary to recapitulate. It
is evident that the slight reaction in
prices shown in such an ordinarily dull
period as this have strengthened rather
than lessened confidence In the future
Signs Of preparation for the coming sea-
sons needs are shown in the reported ac-
tive inquiry for steel rails at the West,
recent sales at Chicago aggregating 3d.
600 tons to Northwestern railroads, and
some for export Production Is as evil
IDENTIFY hard pushed as ever, and the ques-
ton Of fuel supplies rather than Of new
orders engross manufacturers' attention
Some concessions in foundry iron are
noted, but aside from this price changes
are still within very narrow limits
Nearly all metals are stronger, tin and
copper being weak, the former in SYM
pathy with advances abroad Spring
trade in hardware Is opening we'll and adj
vances in prices are generally reported.
Cereals are dull in nearly all direc-
lions, and the pressure Of enlarged stocks,
particularly abroad. has been influential
this week in bringing about a reaction in
rather firmer on exports, though sympa-
theticany affected by the decline in the
leading cereal
Coffee Is active, especially being in
fuenced by higher European advances,
and evidence of a large domestic con-
sumptive demand.
Apparently improved British prospects
in South Africa are assigned as the rea-
son for the better buying of cotton, re-
fx,o fro okf1 .@I H. 80
The crop movement still continues much
smaller than expected by the bears. Cot
ton goods are meeting with good demand
on spring account. Concessions at second
hands are reported owing mainly to back
ward deliveries now arriving being re-
sold by receivers. Rather more inquiry
is noted for wool, particularly at Bos-
ton, and mems wear sales for next fall
are meeting with good patronage, not
withstanding the advances demanded
Fine woods are at about the highest point
reached in twenty years.
Lumber is strong, particularly white
pine grades, partly because Of smaller
stocks and possibly smaller cut In the
Northwest as a result Of lack of snow,
and partly because Of g. hopeful feeling
as to the building outlook the coming
spring.
Wheat including flour, shipments for
lne week aggregate 3,U6l,026 bushels,
against 4,24S,926 bushels last week, $685.
GIL bushels in the corresponding week of
1899, S,726,G64 bushels in 1898, 2916, FOG
bushels in 1897 and 3,s49,271 bushels In 1885,
Since July 1, this season, the exports of
wheat aggregate 113,S03S31 bushels,
against 13,234,719 bushels last year, and
11, 06S,974 bushels in 1898. Corn ex-
ports for the week aggregate 3199, 312
bushels, against 3,314.576 bushels last week,
2,92S, 191 bushels in this week year ago.
S,4S6.715 bushels In 1885, $780, 1922 bushels
in 1897 and 3,192,S65 bushels in 1896. Since
July i, this season, corn exports. cor
rected, aggregate 122,030,069 bushels,
against 92,020,190 bushels during the same
period year ago and 81 ,931, 139 bushels in
1S97-9S
Business failures in the United States
are fewer in number. there being 255 for
the week, as compared with 295 last week;
262 in this week a year ago, 300 in 1898,
429 In 1897 and BAL in 1896. Business fall
ures in the Dominion of Canada for the
week number So, as. compared with Is
last week; 80 in this week a year ago,
46 in 1898, 81 in 1897 and 81 in 1885,"