The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-28
DUN's WEEKLY REVIEW.
Christmas Expenditures al an Evil
dence of Prosperity.

New York, Dec. 28.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review of Trade says:
IF any evidence were needed of the
unparalleled prosperity with which this
nation has been blessed during the past
year, the expenditure for Christmas
gifts and decorations should De ample.
Distribution of Christmas gifts among
the employees of large firms and corpo-
rations was IN the same scale, often the
increase over last year amounting TO
100 per cent, while the profit sharing at
the end of the year will reach unprece-
dented figures 1t is noticed hat south
ern 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
So to $40 a bale less than a year ago,
while the quantity thus far
shows no Commensurate increase.
Following closely upon the Interrupt
ton by floods and storms last week,
transporting and manufacturing facili-
ties were further handicapped by the
closing of numerous markets. Iron fur
naces and steel mills were tied up, and
This resulted in such insufficient sup
plies of fuel that many stacks were
banked at a time when full activity
was especially desired. n situation
as to coke is more critical than at any
previous time this season. Output in the
Connellsville region has been at a rec
ord breaking pace for a month or more.
but stocks accumulated at the ovens be-
doo WV [AA4 "a IL ~
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 Besserner
sheets advance. Producers report their
full output sold up to the middle of next
year and structural mills are in about
the same position. A large Mexican rail
order has been offered, but may go to
to undertake any new deliveries for
some time to come.
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 con-
tracts, especially in view of the uncer-
tain raw material market
I'm the wooden goods division over
coatings find ready purchasers, while
prices on some lines just opened are
about 5 per cent. higher than last sea-
son.
woo is strong and tending upward,
with a good demand, not only from
mills and dealers, but or speculative
account. Stocks are closing the year in
much better condition than at the start,
exceptional consumption having made
large inroads. Raw cotton is also max
ing a better showing. Footwear shops
are actively engaged and are shipping
much more heavily thar a year ago.
Learner anu nlQeS are SlTOlSs RQl jill
paratively quiet.
"A decidedly high price level has
beer maintained for the leading staples,
with option trading of good dimensions,
despite the double holiday at the pro-
duce exchange. Wheat recovered most
of the recent moderate decline, sup
ported by a fairly steady demand. Not
wfthstanding the high level of quota
tons as compared with earlier years,
exports for the week from all ports of
the United States, including hour-
to 3,540 972 bushels. compared
with 2,756,014 bushels a year ago and
2,417, 01S bushels two years ago. In
terror receipts were light and hour
mills have been handicapped by the
car shortage, which made it difficult to
bring in raw material or take out the
finished product.
Corn continues about so per cent
above the price a year ago, which read
lily explains Atlantic exports of only
313.25S bushels, against 3,319,255 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 gr~anulated was
Internationally heavy and at the
bottom point, after deducting all re-
bates, no profit could be figured Even