The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-07
TRADE REVIEWS STRONGLY OPTIMISTIC
DuN's REPORTS STILL GIVE TRAT-
FIG CONGESTION AS CAUSE
OF, EMBARRASSMENT

NEW YORK, Dec 6-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade will
say tomorrow:
Current trade is of ample dimensions,
but traffic congestion grows worse and
labor controversies add to the embar-
rassment of shippers. II consignments
of fancy goods for the holiday trade are
delayed much longer there will be seri-
Gus loss. Prices of commodities tend up
ward.
Although nominal quotations of iron and
steel are unchanged, figures refer only
to future deliveries, and, in most cases
prices for current shipment command a
considerable premium Since this mar
gin is Influenced by local conditions at
the various mills and furnaces, besides
being further complicated by scarcity of
freight cars and strikes, it is almost i'm
possible to arrive at fairly representa-
tive price level. In general, however, the
tone is distinctly firTner. with special
scarcity of billets. and further importa-
TONS
Instead of pig iron production showing
another new high record on December l,
as was indicated by the urgency of de-
mand, it now appears probable that a
loss will be officially announced because
coke was not available. Instead of fur
mace stocks being entirely eliminated, an
Increase may DE fecOIuSu, SlHCe cars
not be secured to remove supplies. A
seasonable decrease has occurred in the
movement of pipe, while Independent
mills have furnished sufficient competi-
ton in sheets and wire nails to bring
slightly lower prices. The corner in tin
collapsed, prices falling about SC in few
days. and silver declined to the lowest
point since September, 1897.
Activity and strength are conspicuous
Il
Bros circular makes the average of
1eO grades 1751c, which is the best price
recorded since May. Concessions are
not secured by purchasers, but on the
other hand, holders grow more confident
Despite recent phenomenal sales at Bos-
ton there is steady buying and stocks
do not accumulate although arrivals are
liberal. Makers of heavy weight woolens
received good duplicate orders, while con-
tracts for spring lines come forward free
ly.
Cotton goods are in better request, but
mills delay new undertakings because
of the sudden rise in raw material and
if it is sustained there probably wall be
a new price list of prints. Coarse color
ed cottons are selling we'll, largely for
export
Footwear factories are busy on spring
goods, many having contracts for some
months 1uu OccupatlOn chicago n1ucS
show a further decline, but imported
dry hides are we'll sustained.
Staple products continue advancing,
corn making a most sensational gain.
Extraordinarily high prices for this ce-
real tempted many traders to sell future
contracts in expectation of a sharp reac-
ton, but a further violent rise to the
highest price for many years compelled
covering st severe leases. This grain
is not governed by precedent. the small
est exports for many years failing to pro-
duce any effect. Shipments from Atlantic
ports for the week reached the lowest
point since 1894, amounting to only 27S, 2l5
blu, against 6,336, rs last year.
Wheat also was sharply advanced to the
best price of the season, largely through
sympathy with corn, for which it was
freely substituted. Exports from all ports
of the United States amounted to 4,Sl5,
752 bu for the week, against 3,255,2l1 a year
ago.
Cotton was aroused from its lethargy
by an unexpectedly low official estimate
of the current crop at only 9,6li,09o bales.
when about q million more was predicted
by the members of the leading exchanges.
Vigorous speculation and an advance OF