The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-28
Holt DAY BUY INC PROVES PROSPERITY
Dun and Bradstreet Both Report Exceptionally
Big Christmas Trade
NEW YORK, Dec. Pr. G. Duns &

NEW YORK, Dec. Pr. G. Duns &
Co.'S week review of trade will say:
If any evidence was needed of the I'M
paralleled prosperity with which this ma
ton has been blessed during the past
year the expenditures for Christmas gifts
and decorations should be sample. Dis
tribution of Christmas gifts among the
employees of large firms and corporations
was on the same scale, often the increase
of last year amounting to 100 per cent
while the profft-sharing at the end of the
year will reach unprecedented figures. 1t
is noticed that Southern trade shows less
satisfactory gains over last year than at
ether sections, which is not surprising, as
the principal product of the South has
averaged from SIS to $40 bale less than
year ago, while the quantity thus far
marketed shows no commensurate in
crease.
Following closely upon the interruption
by floods and storms last week, trans
pOrtation and manufacturing facilities
were further handicapped by numerous
accidents Iron furnaces and steel mills
were tied up and the movement of coke
was hampered. This resulted in such IN
sufficient supplies of fuel that many
activity was especially desired. The still
alton as to coke is more critical than at
any previous time this season. Output in
the Connellsville region has been at a
Iecord-breaking pace for a month or
more, but stocks accumulate at the ovens
because motive power cannot be secured.
Pig ircn production is no longer at the
high 'mark recorded when December
opened, and. with fancy prices for fuel it
iS "a RaSSan1pp aI
Coke producers report their full output
sold UP to the middle of next year. and
structural mills are at about the same
position. A large Mexican rail order las
been offered, but may go to Europe as
domestic makers are unable to undertake
any new deliveries for some time TO come.
Business Ill wholesale dry goods has
been interrupted by holiday influences
and stock taking among jobbers. Cotton
goods ruled quiet, apart from the demand
from cCnverters, which was on liberal
scale. Cotton mills are sold ahead for
several months as a rule, and there is no
urgency to make new contracts, espe-
cially in view of the uncertain raw ma
terial market.
In the wooden goods division overcoat-
irgs find ready purchase while prices
on some lines just opened are about
Fer cent higher than last season.
Wool is strong. and tending upward,
with 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 eX-
<ceptional consumption having made large
inroads. Raw cotton is also making a
better showing. Footwear shops are act
lively engaged, and shipping much more
heavily than year ago. Leather and
hides are strong, but comparatively quiet.
A decidedly high-price level has been
maintained for the leading staples, with
option trading of good dimensions, de
spite the double holiday at the produce
exchange.
Wheat recovered most of the recent
moderate decline, supported by q fairly
steady demand. notwithstanding the
high level Of quota tons as compared with
earlier years. exports Tor the week
from all ports of the United States, in-
GLIDING flour amounted to 9.5i0,972 bush
els, compared with 2.756,014 bushels
year ago and 2,417,014 two years ago. in
terror receipts Were light. and -four mills
have been handicapped by the car short
age which made it difficult to bring in
raw material or take out the finished
product
Corn continues about so per cent above
the price year ago, which readily ex-
plains Atlantic exports of only 313,25s
bushels, against 1913. 255 last year. Sugar
became conspicuous through the agrees
siye cutting of quotations by competing
TefinerS.
Raw grades declined slightly on account
of big crop estimates and other outside
influences, but the fall in standard granu-
lated was disproportfonately heavy, and
at the bottom point, after deducting all
rebates. no profit could be figured. Even
at the lowest price buyers were slow to
take advantage, evidently anticipating
still more favorable terms. Failures for
the week numbered $50 in the United
States. against 237 last year. and q in
Canada, against 1S1 last year.