The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-22
TRADE GOES IN BOOMING
DESPITE MOMENTARY CHECKS IN
SOME LINES, GENERAL SITUA-
TION IS GOOD
STEEL SELLS AT HIGH PRICES
Pig Iron at Rest Quotation for
Notwithstanding Materials Strong
on Expected Building Booms
in the Spring.

NEW YORK, Feb. 21.-Bradstreet's Of
Feb %, will say:
Trade as whole has shown expansion
this week, despite severe weather tend
ing to check trade at some Northern
and Western markets, and in the face
Of very unsatisfactory conditions in the
cotton manufacturing trade brought
about by dullness in cotton goods at
first hands. The position of retailers
with large stocks has been really i'm
proved by the continued cold weather.
Foremost among the lines noting i'm
proVement this week is the dry goods
trade which is reported active on spring
account by jobbers.
The boot and shoe industry has like
wise continued in a satisfactory shape.
and some varieties of leather reflect re-
cent activity in advances at Eastern
markets.
Iron and steel in the cruder forms have
been very strong at central and Eastern
markets and considerable advances are
reported in pig iron and steel biIlets
Heavy sales are reported from Pittsburg
Birmingham and other markets Bea-
semer pig iron at Pittsburg is now sell
ing at $14.75, the highest price for
months, while premium of $3.50 a ton
IS eXacted on immediate deliveries of
steel billets, although the official quota
tiCn of $19.75 still maintains Finished
products are reported in good demand
Merchant bars were advanced 81 a ton
late last week, and 135 cents is now
the maximum price of these goods
Structural material is reported steadily
active. In some respects, in fact. the
state of this trade as a whole is the
strongest since before the collapse
last spring. Export trade is slack, for
eign iron and steel markets are steadily
getting lower and the fear of discrimi-
mating duties against American iron and
steel is evident although the first mani
hesitation, that in the case of Russia, in
wolves very small amount of business.
The strength of building materials of
ali kinds particularly of white and vel
low pine and builders hardware, has
been notable and from many cities
comes the report that a large amount Of
building will be done the coming spring
Coffee strengthened on better consump-
tive demand. Tea has met with better
sale, as the prospects for any immediate
change in the present tariff by con-
gress becomes less probable.
Tin is higher in sympathy with specu-
lative activity abroad.
The cereals show little definite move
ment, taking the week as a whole ex-
cepting in flour, which is 10 to 20 cents
DafreI nlSner.
Wheat IS practically higher and corn
and oats are unchanged, but the corn
situation is notable, in view of this
being season of increasing stock. Sup
port comes from the active foreign and
home demand for this cereal, consump-
tive requirements for which seem to have
definitely overtaken. production.
Wheat, including flour. shipments for
five days aggregate 3,4243O2 bushels,
against 4,S14,S7S last week, $500, $50 in the
corresponding week of 1900, 3,844,359 in
1899, and 1922, 1859 in 1898 From July to
GATE, this season, wheat exports are 49,
214,676 bushels, against 1861, 211 last sea-
son, and 10000, 2S9 in 1S9S-99 Corn ex-
ports for the week aggregate 3,267 ,G6S
bushels, against 4,760422 last week, 1885,
us in this week a year ago, 2,S71 ,057 in
1899, and 1892, 7S9 in 1893 From July l
to date. this season, corn exports are l27,-
9n,974 bushels, against 139, 0S3, 2S4 last sea-
son, and 107, 7l1,172 in 1889
Business failures In the United States
for the week number 219, as against 226
last week, 16S in this week year ago,
900 in 1899, 1873 in 1898, and 25S in 1897.
Canadian failures for the week num-
Der "a. as against SO last week. % in this
week year ago, SO in 1899, As in 1893, and
so III 1897.