The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-13
GENERAL TRADE BETTER
IMPROVEMENT IN PRACTIC-
ALLY ALL LINES
HEAVY PIG IRON PRODUCTION
Notwithstanding the Huge Output of
That Metal, Furnace stocks
Show a Decrease, and Prices
Are Notably Firm.

NEW YORK. April Pr c. Dun's
weekly review of trade tomorrow will
say: The tone Of general business has
been better this week. Marked activity In
the distribution of merchandise is re-
nected in the gains of 45.9 Fer cent in
bank clearings at New York, compared
with 1900, and 20.S per cent over 19,
with gains of 1876 and 1913 for the same
periods at leading cities outside New
York. Even the textile markets show
pronounced gain.
Activity in the metals division has TAX
en- pig iron production to near reco
figures, and some dealers do not see
how production of partly finished forms
this year Is to be made to meet the de-
mand. The government report of the
condition of wheat on April / is the sur
est possible basis upon which expecta-
ton of continued commercial prosperity
could be founded. Stringency of money
Is largely local in New York and does
not after reports from most of the larger
cities of favorable condition in collec-
lions. Railroad earnings in March were
~ per cent larger than last year, ana
5z.4 per cent over 1899, according to prac-
t1cally complete returns. Pig iron pro
duct1on on April l. according to the Iron
Age was at the rate of 296, 676 tons week
~ This quantity has been exceeded
twice in the history Of the industry on
Dec. l, 1889, when 296.959 tons were p-o-
duced, and on Feb l, 1909, when the cut
put was 2e8.014 tons. The remarka be
feature of the situation is the decrease
Of 69,5sS tons in furnace stocks during
March in the face of this enormous pro
auction, while in six months the loss in
supplies amounted to 20S, 656 tons. Quo
tatlons are generally steady for all forms,
except plate, on which 81 a ton more is
demanded without restricting purchases.
contracts for the delivery of pig iron
90 not as a rule, extend beyond this
month, and furnace stocks cannot be
expected to continue decreasing unless
new business comes forward, for MANY
furnaces have gone into blast since the
month opened. and production on May
VIII probably be at a new high record
speculation has been unusually heavy
In food stuffs, the local market ayerag-
ing over 100000 bushels of wheat daily.
Prices receded sharply from the top point
OF two weeks ago. wheat losing about &c
Tor spot. Realizing sales were acceIerat
ed by expectation of high percentage
of winter wheat condition in the ef11c:aI
report Two elements of strength ap-
peared to check the decline and caused
some recovery, insects were reported nu-
merous in the Southwestern section. and
foreign buying was Sufficient to make
Atlantic exports, flour included, 6,732, 900
bushels IN TWO weeks, against 1872 857
last year, and $3.50, $50 in 1899
Corn received better support by ma
nlpulation and lighter interior receipts.
Inc large increase in hog packing at the
west as compared with last years fig
ures probably accounts for the first sign
of pronounced weakness in pork products
Large producers of footwear in New
England are still doing a good business
with sufficient orders to insure full time
at the shops for a month or more. Elk
pected concessions Ill prices by smaller
makers have commenced, moderately
large contracts for split, kip and grain
boots being secured at PIC reduction.
Shipments from Boston continue to show
a good gain over last years figures.
In the face of recent reductions In
prices of rubber goods, the raw ma
tertals advanced SEC. Textile fabrics are
IN better position, although Improvement
is slight and confined to a few sp.c.al-
lines Since Easter wool manufacturers
nave taken sufficient raw to Indicate bet
ter demand, and assurances are received
that Western holders are going to hold
Tor better prices than are now obtain
able.
In cotton goods there has been more
buying for China, while spring dry goods
opening make encouraging exhibits. The