The San Francisco call., 1901-12-23
HOLIDAY SEASON IN TRADE.

r. OR the next fortnight trade will probably be
r dull throughout the country This is the sea-
L son when the retailer has the field pretty much
TO himself and the wholesaler is taking stock The
latter viii report much activity until the middle
Of January, and perhaps not then, if the weather
proves unpropitious. But a rule the latter part
OF January sees revival in general business. The
present year. however as previously mentioned, has
reversed the usual conditions, and we have had a
phenomenally lively wholesale trade almost up to
the close of the year. Even the jobbers
doing good deal more than in former years at this
season, and recorders for clothing and other winter
supplies are probably more numerous than ever be-
fore As for the retail holiday trade of the country
at large is extremely heavy, though the recent cold
wave throughout the West has naturally restricted
IT, People are not disposed to travel miles across
country to buy holiday presents and other lu,1uries
with the thermometer down to 10 and 20 degrees
below zero. Perhaps the cold weather had some
thing do with the falling off in bank cearings last
week the gain over the corresponding week last year
being only 90 per cent The failures were 265,
against 292 last year.
The staples as a rule are quiet the exceptions being
wool and wOOlen goods, boots and shoes, coal and
the other important recessaries of the season The
iron and steel trade keeps up its rapid pace with all
producing and manufacturing sections reporting
general activity firm prices and orders running far
into the coming year. Cars continue scarce. how
ever, and complaints this account are as numer-
Gus at any time during the past two months. But
in spite Of this impedment to transportation the rail
roads are reporting ali increase in earnings over the
corresponding period in 1000.
Wall street Is still more less unsettled, the gyra-
tons Of Amalgamated Copper keeping spectators
and investors on the ragged edge. Copper has been
cut good deal of late by sellers. and lead and tin
have been symPathetically affected. Talk of money
stringency which does not seriously materiaize has
also affected the market though as rule when quo
tations decline one day they recover the next. Pow
erful interests behind the market and they see
to it that the general list of stocks is maintained at
fairly steady prices. There are too many vast enter
prises under way at the permit any seri-
Gus decline in Wall street if it can be avoided
The local market remains about the same The
retail holiday business has been favored by excep-
tiOnally fine weather and the shoP1eepers are reap
ing Christmas harvest The wholesale trade. as far
as indications 60 is as brisk as at any time during
the past six months. Lines that were neglected in
the early fall now remarkably active and some
merchants are reporting the best December trade
they ever had The season continues to extend bril-
liant prospects. the banks both in city and country
are reporting plenty OF loanabe funds in their vaults
collections arc good, and there are no failures sui
GENTLY large to cause comment Whatever NAV be
the signs elsewhere. there certainly none unfavor
able in our neighborhood Prosperity still abides
with US, and is expected TO for an indefinite period
to come. Even the chronic croaker has gone or+ %
business and his hoarse voice has not been heard in
the land for a long time.