The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-22
GENERAL TRADE Is Brisk.
NO GRUMBLING HEARD FROM MER.
CHANTS-JEWELER ES-
PECIALLY BUSY
IRON FURNACES ARE BUSY
Notwithstanding the Fact That mt
This Season Their Business Is
Usually of the
Du!Iest.

NEW YORK, Dec. Pr. G. Dun e.
Co.'s weekly review of trade tomorrow
will say:
Better conditions on the whole and in
creased and pronounced activity in Gis-
tTibution of all staple lines of mer-
chandise at the principal cities have
impaired a slightly more aggressive tone
to general business. Distinctive holiday
business, which at this period of the sea-
son means retail distribution, has shown
further Improvement and no complaint
is heard from any quarter while the
jewelry trade is much more active for
several years past. Unchanged condi-
tons in the leading manufacturing ir-
dustry during the last week before the
holidays mean much. At this time, in
ordinary years, furnaces close down in
large numbers and dullness is general at
mills and shops where iron and steel are
handled. Instead of reduction of work.
ing force or concessions in price this
year, however, reports from the princi-
pal cities indicate the existence of con-
tracts that will take months to fill and
new sales are made at the former, level,
despite much talk of cheaper ore next
year. Fuel declined about 25c a ton re-
Gently, but this is as far as the COST of
raw material has been reduced. Tt is
seldom possible to secure prompt de-
livery of partially manufactured forms
brings more orders from abroad, while
the November statement of British ex-
ports shows another decrease compared
with last year in these products. Tin
again decreased sharply, taking the price
about 10c below the top, and almost to
the level prevailing a year ago. Other
industries exhibit the same Indifference
to precedent. Instead of holiday quiet
in the wool market the last weeks fig
ures of sale at the three chief Eastern
markets amount to $780, 900 pounds
against 6,7S5,900 in the preceding week,
and 5,267 344 two weeks ago, while a year
ago the aggregate had fallen to 7,312,5OO
pounds from an average of over 1,00O,
600 pounds in the previous weeks.
Prices are steady at the recent decline
and manufacturers purchase only raw
material to fill orders.
Another decline appeared in hides at
Chicago, taking the average back to the
level prevailing two months ago.
Leather was also easier, but the fin
ished product was well sustained by ship
ments from Boston of $3.50 cases, which
is the largest movement in recent weeks.
New orders are fewer in number, but
shops have contracted for weeks ahead,
Local jObbers have accomplished much
more than was expected.
Cotton was firmly held despite arrivals
ct the ports far in excess of last year
and little encourageme received from
shippers. The crop outlook points to
yield about equal to Mr.. Ellisons esti-
mate of requirements.
Wheat is quiet receipts aggregate
4,S02,779 bu against $50 last year,
while Atlantic exports were 2,701, Az bu,
flour included, against only 1,536,164 in
the same week of 1899.
Corn advanced again to about &c above
last years level without important news.
The movement is much heavier for three
weeks of December receipts amounted to
IA, 792, 557 bu, against 9,404,S6S, while At
lantic exports were 15,244,72N bu against
1925, 913 in 1899.
liquidation in coffee caused a large
volume of option transactions and largely
increased receipts of brazilian crop took
No Z Rio down to the lowest price of
the year. which is &c below the top point.
The present figure is still more than
cent above last years Weakest spot and
receipts are 250,000 bags larger.
Failures for the week were 293 in the
United States against go last year, and
Is in Canada against IS last year.