The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-08
Trade OUTLOOK IS GOOD.
MORE MILLS RUNNING FULL TIME
THAN USUAL AT THIS
SEASON
TEE TRADE IN IRON is BRISK
Especially in the West, While the
Railroads Are Actively in the
Market for Structural
Steel.

NEW YORK, Dee. 7.-R. C. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review OF trade tomorrow
viii say:
Business is progressing along conserva-
tive lines. 1t is without excitement, and
without speculative activity, but with a
confident undertone, which is to be fol-
lowed largely by the fact that leading
concerns in most of the great industries
have orders booked to employ their ma
Chinery at nearly fun capacity during
months when curtailment is usual. No
net reduction in working force has ap-
peared in the last fortnight, and re-
adjustment of wage schedules in some
branches of the steel trade is effected
without trouble. Prices of commodities
are generally steady, and holiday trade
is brisk at all points. The South is par
ticuiarly cheerful, with cotton firm, and
the rec crop coming in at very full
prices. There is no cause for alarm III
the small volume of business at both
iron and steel centerS. With the first
signs Of higher prices there came for
ward such a flood of contracts that mills
and furnaces booked sufficient orders to
keep their full force employed for
months Hence there has come a more
quiet condition, with less bidding fer
products. Fortunately quotations were
not forced up unseasOnably during the
weeks Of greatest activity, and now there
is 40 sign Of depression. On the other
hand, bars are more firmly held, While
many idle mills have resumed in this
department. and sheetmakers insist on
better terms, All forms OF finished ma
terial are steady, and at most points pig
IRON Is unchanged, although concessions
are made for Bessemer a Pittsburg.
STILL IN DEMAND.
Numerous bridges are being erected by
the railways, and a heavy tonnage OF
structural steel is taken. Other rail
way supplies are in active demand with
rolling stock urgently sought. Business
in iron is particularly brisk at Chicago.
with Slight moderation in domestic buy
ing, more attention is given to exports
A further advance of 215 per cent in
mems kip boots and the furry in the
market for footwear has quoted down,
but with no disposition to recede from
the generally higher range established
last week. Makers have fewer new orders,
however, and heavy winter footwear has
been higher in purchases for the sea-
sons requirements. Holiday demand
has not appeared, though retailers have
full lines Of fancy shoe and slippers.
There is a shortage is some grades CT
hemlOck sole, bat leather has ceased
to advance. Hides are lower, especial
ly for country lines at Chicago. Even
after the decline of the past two weeks.
the average is above the closing price
OF OtlODSE. W OO1 TtIndl0S steady ana
sales are less than half last years
Manufacturers purchase carefully and
fhe goods market is unusually dull Tor
the season.
CEREALS STRONGER.
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 the foreign markets and prompt
response here compelled covering of con-
tracts. Nothing of Importance was
learned regarding domestic conditions
aside from the heavy marketing at i'll
terror cities, as indicated by Western re-
ceipts of $685. 402 bushels, against 39O1,-
79S in the previous week. and 1888 Ole a
year ago. On the other hand exports
at the Atlantic coast cities were only
22i4,409 bushels, against 3359,677. in 1899.
More strength was shown by corn, which
brought out receipts Of 4,609,l66 bushels,
against S,450,772 last year, but foreign
buying was brisk even at quotations &c
higher than last year, Atlantic exports
for the week aggTegating $685. us bush
els. against 8, T03,273 in 1899.
Cotton was stubbornly held above 10
cents. Many reports from plantations
suggest crop larger than prevailing es-
Inmates and heavy port receipts also dis
courage hopes of higher prices. Traders
impatiently await the government re-
port
Failures for the week were PSI in the
United States, against 221 last year, and
rs in Canada, against 80 last year.