The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-09
REVIEW OF TRADE.
Cold Weather Assists the Retail
Business.

New York, Feb. 9.-R. G. Dun & Co.. s
Weekly Review of Trade says:
More seasonable weather in the east
has brought up the volume of business
in retail lines a. little this week, and at
the west and south distribution OF mer-
chandise is on a satisfactory scale.
Prices of staple products show but mod
crate decline, and quotations of manu-
featured goods are steady in all direc-
tiOns. Pressure to sell is everywhere
cOnspicuOusly absent. Jobbers report
good orders for spring goods, particu-
larly for the western trade and the only
complaint still comes from the wooden
goods market in the east, which has NOT
yet felt the excited stimulus In this
line, however, prices do not decline and
agents expect better conditions.
Large operations in the stocks of lead
ing steel companies do not affect the
volume of business or the prices of their
products as yet, and probably will have
no material influence in the future.
Quotations will depend on the relation
OF supply to demand, which at present
gives an undertone Of great strength
This is most evident in billets, which
can not be secured at the pool prices.
While former quotations are nominally
in force it would require a material ad-
vance to secure contracts. Structural
forms are also in notably brisk demand,
and it is impossible to secure prompt
delivery of any finished steel In Pitts
burg. Chicago makers also have orders
far ahead and at all leading points the
placing Of new business is limited to
small contracts. Bessemer pig IS firm
at the recent advance to $3.50, although
no large sales are reported. Cut nails
have followed the lead of wire nails. ad-
vancing 81 per ton, while many other
forms are expected to be put on a higher
level when producers meet
Activity continues in footwear, job
bers placing large contracts at well sus-
tanned prices. No alterations are re-
ported in quotations. but there Is some
evidence Of slight reduction in quality,
purchasers refusing to advance their
figures and accepting somewhat lower
grades instead. This appears to be
practically equivalent to a rise in prices.
The large number of buyers in the
Boston market indicates that heavy
contracts will be placed insuring busy
shops for many months. Local Jobbing
and retail trade was helped by season.
able weather, notably rubber footwear.
Textile industries do not revive APP
probably, even the lower temperature
failing to infuse life into woolens aside
from better retail dealings
Manufacturers make small purchases
of raw material, showing preference for
the cheaper grades, ana even then in
sisting on small concessions. London
auction operations became less satisfac-
tory as the sale progressed Cotton
goods are uniformly dull with some
labor controversies added to the other
troubles at the mills. Another reduc-
ton in the average price OF raw silks
makes a. loss Of nearly 81 per pound
since January i, 1900
Spot cotton lost an eighth on Monday
and another on Tuesday, making the
decline $3.50 q bale within a week.
After such a severe reaction, to the low
est point since early in December, ii
was not surprising that prices should
steady. Figures of supply have been
somewhat confusing; last week there
was an increase while in the same week
Of the preceding six years loss &C.
Cured. This week, however port re-
ceipts show a, heavy loss compared with
1900 Planters are still holding back
part of their crop at some points and
active Dreparatio for the new yield
have been commenced by blowing in
Texas. Wheat fell below so cents, ample
snow affording the desired protection in
winter wheat states, while the chief sup
port was a. better inquiry on foreign ac-
count, including moderate purchases for
Spain. Atlantic exports for the week,
including -four were 2,S74,111 bushels
against 2,247, 402 in the week preceding
and 2115.S75 a year ago.
Corn is quiet maintaining an advance
of over cents, compared with same
date last year.
Failures for the week were 269 in the
United States against 245 last year, and
50 in Canada against SO last year.