The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-21
The CAR QUESTION AGAIN
Severe Storms Have Made it More
Complicated
COTTON CHANGES LITTLE IN PRICES
Dun Says That Il the Official Estimate Of the
Current Crop Is Accurate Present Prices
Are Cheap. Two Cents Be-
levy Last Years.
lew Last Years.
(By the Associated Press

New York, Dec. 20.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S.
weekly Review of Trade tomorrow will
say;
Holiday trade reached its maximum
this week. nearly all sections Of the coun-
try reporting exceptional distribution.
While the class of goods especially stim-
ulated by Christmas demand occupied the
position of greatest prominence, general
merchandise was not far behind in ac-
tivity. Transporting interests were just
beginning to overcome congested condi-
tions when severe storms made the sltua-
ton more complicated than before. In
many industries it Is not a question OF
nding buyers. but securing the privilege
os postpohing deliveries beyond the date
originally specified,
Retarded shipments caused higher
prices for prompt delivery OF pig iron and
steel products at western cities but con-
servatism still marks the course OF pro-
ducers regarding contracts for the future
In few cases the enlarged capacity
makes 1t possible to promise concessions
or, future business. Pig iron has risen
slightly on account OF the short fuel sup
ply and injury to furnaces by the storm
prices are SO per cent lower than during
the imitation of 1900
I'm cotton goods there is much bust
ness offered but sellers are unwilling
to accept large contracts for future deliv-
cry while the raw material markets re-
main unsettled Print cloths are uE-
changed for regulars with narrow ODDS
firm and cotton yarns generally higher.
Last weeks gains in these lines are fully
maintained
I'm the grain market which has held
fairly steady at some reaction from last
weeks exceptionally high point, there
is still much evidence of firm under
tone.
Cotton is little changed at about
cents below the price Of year ago. Eth
er last years price was too high or thc
present figure is too low. Mill conditions
both here and abroad indicate a good
consumptive demand, and the size of pert
receipts during the next few weeks should
decide the question of prices, although
there is always the possibility OF delayed
shipments by planters. If the official es-
innate of the current crop was approx
mately accurate present prices are chctp.
Failures for the week numbered 20.
in the United States against 293 last year
and q in Canada against Is last year.
COMPARATIVE COTTON STATEMENT.
/. New York, Dec 20.-For the week end
ing Friday, December 20: Net receipts at
all United States ports during week, 1884,
Az; net receipts at all United States
ports during same week last year. 265. 80;
total receipts to this date since Septem-
Ter LIST. 4,270.931; total receipts TO same
date last year, 1927 1856; exports for he
week, Mss 849@~exports for same weel last
year, 14S,t75; total exports to this date
since September LIST, 3107.945; total ex-
ports to same date last year, 1881, 1885,
stock at all United States ports 9S6.757;
: stock at all United States ports same
time last year, 9S6,57S; stock at all inte-
rior towns, 6SG974; stock at all interior
towns same time last year, 766,384 stock
| ct Liverpool, $4,000; stock at Liverpool
same time last year. $4,000; stock Of
American ahoat for Great Britain, 35(.-
GOO; stock Of American aloat for Great
. Britain same time last year, $4,000.
TOTAL NET RECEIPTS.
New York. Dec, 20.--The following are
| the net receipts of cotton at all ports
| since September 1st 1901
Galveston, 1,233.527 bales; New Or
| leans, ,191 1888; Mobile, III, 1852; Savannah,
| 1913; Charleston 1851; Wilmington.
| 199, 029; Norfolk, 267,15f; Baltimore. A.
| 1872 New York, 81 ,6SS: Boston. 45.13t:
| Newport News, 7144; Philadelphia, 1855,
| Fernandina. 1000: Brunswick, $3.50; Port
| Arthur. 1870; Pensacola 7O,206; total,
| 4,270.931.
TOTAL BANK CLEARINGS.
New York, Dec. 20--Total bank clear
| ings week. ended December 20: $2,3T4.
91S,952 in&ease Go per cent outside New
York, s79O, SIC, 1928. increase 5s per cent.