The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-30
GENERAL IRAE IS IgI|VE
DEPREssioN IN DRY GOODS THE
ONLY EXCEPTION 10 BE
NOTED
IRON AND STEEL ARE STEADY
Collections Are Repurted Excellent.
With Money la ts.sod Demand
Cotton nnd Wool Continue
to Re Depressed.

NEW YORK, March 29-R. G. Duns
weely review of trade tomorrow will say
The condition of general business is in
most respects satisfactory The dry goods
trade, and particularly the cotton dyi-
sion, is gloomy, with further reductions
in prices of staple goods this week and
demand failing to increase with the snad-
ing of quotations, but from every other
department of business reports are cheer
full, and the outlook for a good spring
retail turnover is encouraging. There is
little difficulty over collections in any di-
rection, and the mercantile demand for
money from numerous quarters is proof
of the confidence felt among manufac-
turers and jobbers The labor situation
is more tranquil. Mining differences III
the soft coal region are settled and sober
counsels seem to have prevailed among
anthracite miners.
IRON AND STEEL FIRM.
Aside from the expected advance in
structural shapes there is comparative
steadiness in iron and steel. After more
or less advance every week for two
months, it is gratifying to find that Bes-
semer pig remains seven Eays without
alteration. The tone is firm and pro-
ducers report all recent sales for early
delivery While exports of cruder forms
are light, other countries having reduced
prices until their competition is felt, there
is no diminution in the foreign demand
for bridge material and other finished
products. Consolidation of valley fur
naces is practically assured and promises
to be a powerful force in theindustry.
SHoEMAKERS BUSY.
Prices of boots and shoes are well sus-
tanned without any quetaE1e change. New
England shops report fewer orders, Dat
most concerns have sufficient work for
some months on old contracts. Japanned
goods and chome patent kids are in spe-
cial request. Most lines Of sole leather
are firmly held while receipts of glazed
kid and patent leather are quickly alb
sorbed at steady prices. Chicago hides
again average lower the weakness being
partly attributable to the extremely poor
quality of offerings.
WOOL AT HARD PAN.
That bottom prices for wool have been
reached at last is evidenced by the grow
ing unwillingness of holders to make con-
cessonS. the craftsmanship of dealers
and indications that purchases for specu-
lation are of considerable volume. Trans
actions show material gain at the lead
ing markets. while shiRpments from Bos-
ton exceed those of preceding weeks Ell
forts to secure even fractional advances
in quotations, however. end negotiations
Manufacturers are not inclined to accu-
very slowly consignerss accompanying
shipments with instructions not to sell at
current figures
COTTON DEPRESSED.
It was not possible to maintain the
small recovery late last week In raw
cotton and subsequent reaction establish
ed new low record for the crop year.
While the decline has been severe, mills
are not ready to purchase freely, and
foreign buying for the month is far be-
low last years. Efforts will be made to
prevent the enormous acreage meditated,
but unpa ralleied sales of fertilizers have
already occurred
Wheat did not respond to rumors of
damage. but found reason for strength III
Atlantic exports, including -four, in four
weeks Of II .4S2. 947 bushels against 6,0IS,-
1852 bushels in 1860.
Failures for the week numbered 206 in
the United States, against 20S last year,
and 20 in Canada, against SO last year
BRADSTREETs WEEKLY SUMMARY
Eradstreets tomorrow will say:
A rather moro cheerful tone is appar-
ent in general trade and the close of the
first quarter of the year finds the bust
ness world contemplating a total trade
for that period in many cases in excess
Of all preceding Periods. White the future,
With some exceptions, Is NIeWeu w I'LL
apparent confidence. The advance of the
spring season is, of course, partly re-
sponsible for the feeling above men
toned, allowing as it does better oppor-
turity for wider range of operations
than was possible in the winter months.
First indications to crop prospects
and outlook are in the main, favorable
Eank clearings are showing steady gains
over unprecedentedly large totals a year
ego. Railway earnings testify to an i'm
rnense volume of merchandise passing
into consumption, and as for some time
pSst. the active demand at advancing
prices for iron and steel is regarded as
reliable index of good general trade to
come. Building is becoming more active.
and promises this spring to be the
heaviest for many years past. Hence the
lumber trades and all lines of Builders
hardware note continued or growing
activity. The demand in the latter line
and in agricultural implements in the
West is in fact most notable
There is a little aI1ore doing in the
cereals this week. corn being especially
active, and in the hands of bull clique
has advanced to above so cents. Wheat
has been in better export demand and
strengthened slightly in sympathy with
the coarser grain.
Wheat including -four, shipments for