The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-21
HOLIDAY TRADE IS VERY GOOD.
So Say Both Dun and Bradstreet---Cereals Are
Holding Their Own.

NEW YORK, Dec. 20-R. G.. Dun &.
Coz weekly review of trade tomorrow
viii say: Holiday trade~reacfed its max.
inum this week. nearly all sections of
the country reporting exceptional distri-
button. transporting interests were just
beginning to overcome congestcd condi-
tions when severe storms made the situa-
ton more complicated than before. In
many industries it is not a question of
finding buyers, but securing the privilege
of postponing deliveries beyond the date
originally specified.
Retarded shipments caused higher
prices for prompt delivery of pig iron
and steel products at Western cities, but
conservatism still marks the course of
producers regarding contracts for the fu-
ture Despite the present unparalleled de-
ands prices are 80 per cent lower than
during the imitation of $780, indicating, the
better basis on which the market is now
established. Although the leading metal
is enjoying exceptionally satisfactory con-
ditions it is very different with the minor
metals, owing mainly to the fact that
fictitious prices have been asked by the
leading producers. General reductions
occurred during the past week, copper
now being quoted at 49, tin 2312, and lead
4c The declines were heavy, but failed
to produce activity, buyers looking Tor
still better te. ms
Footwear shops continue busy, leading
producers as a rule having good orders
for spring lines, although smaller con-
Germs are not all as fortunately situated.
Firm prices prevail, and specialties corr
mand premiums. There is no accumula-
ton of leather and prices are decidedly
firm.
In the textile industries new lines Of
wooden goods opened satisfactorily. Adj
yances are paid for certain lines of worst
ed. In cotton goods there is much bust
ness offered but sellers are unwilling 20
accept large contracts for future deliv
cry, while the raw material market re-
mains unsettled. Print cloths are I'M
changed for regulars. with narrow odds
firm, and cotton yarns generally higher.
Grain Markets Steady.
In the grain market wheat held fairly
steady at some reaction from last week
exceptionally high point, and there is still
much evidence of a firm undertone. Sc
we're weather stimulated the Western de-
maud for live stock feeding and also in
terrupted receipts, which were only 4,6S4.-
659 bushels. against 6,742,949 in the preced-
ing week, and 4,S02,779 a year ago. Here
toforc this season there has been large
gain in comparison with the correspond
ing period Of 1890
High prices have at last affected the
export movement and instead of the
usual splendid gain ever last year there
was an outgo of only 9,646,Sl3 bushels
from the United States, flour included,
against 4,3SO,300. Corn is also well sus-
tanned, Western receipts for the week
reaching only 2,519,S51 bushels, against
5S7l. sos a year ago. Atlantic exports 2H,-
PA bushels, against 4,274,169 year ago.
indicates the foreign attitude toward cur
rent quotations Cotton is little changed,
at about &c below the price year ago
Failures for the week numbered 2o5 IN
the United States, as against 293 last Year,
and 27sin Canada, against Is, last year.