The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-12-28
HOLIDAY WEEK
WAS VERY GOOD
Dun and Bradstreet Are Each
Optimistic.
SHORTAGE OF COKE SUPPLY
LACK OF CARS AND FUEL HOLD
ING BACK PRODUCTION.

New York, Dec. Pr. G. Dun & CO.'S
Weekly Review of Trade tomorrow will
say:
If any evidence was needed of the
unparalleled prosperity with which this
nation has been blessed during the
past year, the expenditure for Christ
mas gifts and decorations should be
ample. Distributions of Christmas
goods among the employees of large
firms and corporations was on the same
scale. often the increase over last year
amounting TO 100 per cent, while the
profit sharing at the end Of the year
viii reach an unprecedented figure. 1t
is not noticed that southern trade shows
less satisfactory gains over last year
than at other sections. which is not
surprising, as the principal product of
the south has averaged from s. to $40
bale less than year ago, while the
quantity thus far marketed shows no
commensurate increase.
Following closely upon the Interrupt
ton by floods and storms last week,
transporting and manufacturing IA
cilities We're further handicapped by
numerous incidents. Iron furnaces and
steel mills were tied up. and the move
ment of coke was hampered. This re-
suited in such insufficient supplies Of
fuel that many stacks were banked at
a time when full activity was especial
iy desired. The situation as to coke is
more critical than at any previous time
this season. Output in the COnnells-
Vile region has been at a record break
ing pace for a month or more, but
stocks accumulate at the ovens be-
cause motive power and cars cannot be
secured. Pig iron production is no
longer at the high mark recorded when
December opened, and with fancy
prices for fuel, it is natural that Bes-
semer sheets advance.
Business in wholesale dry goods has
been interrupted by holiday influences
and stock-taking among Jobbers. Cot
ton goods ruled quiet, apart from the
demand for converters, which was on
a liberal scale. Cotton mills are sold
ahead for several months as a rule.
and there is no urgency to make new
contracts, especially in view of the IN
certain raw material.
In t1e wooden goods division over
coat goods find ready purchasers, while
prices on some lines just opened are
about per cent higher than last sea-
son.
Wool is strong and tending upward.
with a good demand not only from
mills and dealers, but on speculative
account Stocks are closing the year in
much better condition than at the start.
exceptional consumption having made
large inroads. Footwear shops are ac-
lively engaged and are shipping much
more heavily than year ago. Leather
and hides are strong, but comparative
" quiet.
A decidedly high price level has been
maintained in the leading staples, with
options trading Of good dimensions, de-
spite the double holiday at the produce
exchange
Wheat recovered most of the recent
moderate decline, supported by a fairly
steady demand. Notwithstanding the
nigh level of quotations as compared
with earlier years, exports for the week
from all ports of the United States, in
Guiding flour, amounted to 3.54O972
bushels, compared with ?, 765 Ola bushels
a year ag6, and 2,417,O1S bushels two
years ago. Interior receipts were light
and flour mills have been handicapped
by the car shortage, which made it diff
hcult to bring in raw material or take
out the finished product.
Corn continues about so per cent over
the price a year ago. which readily
explains Atlantic exports of only 313 25S
bushels, against 3,3l9,255 bushels last
year.
sugar became conspicuous through
the aggressive cutting of quotations by
competing refiners. Raw grades de
clined slightly on account of big crop
estimates, and other outside influences.
but the fall in standard and graduated
was disproportionately heavy and at
the bottom point, after deducting ali
rebates, no profit could be figured. Even
at the lowest price buyers were slow
to take advantage, evidently anticipat-
ing more favorable terms. Failures for
the week number $50 in the United
States, against 237 last year. and % in
Canada, against Is last year.