The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-15
COOLER WEATHER IS NEEDED
CONDITIONS FAVORABLE DESPITE SCARE
ITY OF MOTIVE POWER.

New York, Nov. 15.-Bradstreet's said to-day ::
Trade. industry and transportation continue ac-
tive despite drawbacks caused by warm weather,
scarcity Of fuel and and motive power short
ages. Cold weat Their is needed to stimulate con-
sumption of heavy winter goods from retailers
hands whatever complaint there is heard regard
ing collections being attributed to this cause.
Activity with jobbers has, owing to- the ad-
vanced stage of the season, been transferred
from, regular staple lines to holiday goods. These
latter are in exceptionally active demand, the
outlook being that distribution far in excess Of
any previous year will be realized. More than
usual activity is, however, noted in spring goods,
which are being ordered more freely than in av-
erage years. This is taken to indicate wide
spread confidence in prosperous conditions next
year.
Little improvement is noted in the
fuel situation which particularly affects iron and
steel manufacturers. many of whom are reported
discouraged by their inability to fill orders
their books. >" : - '.--
Telegrams to; Bradstreet's indicate that the
movement Of winter goods, particularly clothing.
is retarded by warm weather prevailing through
out most of the country: In the northwest, at
the south, III the central west and at the east the
temperature has not as yet become low enough to
stimulate final distribution. Nest western CEN
tiers report seusonable activity with jobbers and
liberal spring orders being booked: A heavy
volume of winter goods is moving on previous
orders. 1872 -
conditions remain exceptionally good and a
large majority Of cities report payments fair
to. good. Furniture manufacturers are reported
unable to keep up with orders and hardware job
bers have all they can attend to. On the Pacific
coast shipments of merchandise are very heavy,
and many wholesalers are behind on orders.
Car shortages retard shipments of lumber.
Wet weather in the northwest and west has
stimulated demand for rubber goods At the
| SOUTH except in Texas, warm weather has al
lowed cotton to terminate and be picked, thus
| enlarging the aggregate outturn of the crop
| quite materially. At eastern centers jobbing
| business has naturally quieted somewhat. Cotton
goods firm despite the slight weakness in the
raw product, while WOODEN goods are quiet and
prices remain firm and the raw product is very
| closely held.
The lumber trade is still quite active, notwith
| standing the advanced stage of the season anG
! the only complaint is as to backyard deliveries
| Other building materials quite active. The
boot ana shoe business is in good shape Leather
being closely sold up, is firmly held. At eastern
markets shipments are smaller than of late
| taking arrives. Sharp differences noted II
| the iron and steel trade, accordingly as the
cruder Or more highly finished forms are con
| sdered.
Scarcity Of fuel keeps many furnaces idle ant
pig iron demand is in excess of production
Small lots Of Bessemer pig obtainable for promp
| delivery bring as high as $24 per ton at vale,
furnaces, while for next years delivery $21 81
is paid, an advance of S. per ton over a yea
or six months ago. Structural material mill
are very active. being sold five six month
ahead, and the country's rail production Is salt
| to be practically sold up to September, 1908
The cut in the price Of tin plates is said to hav
not brought out many orders anticipated
| and merchant pipe prices have been cut from
to 10 per cent The hardware trade is activ
and wire and nails. heretofore suffering from
overproduction. have been heavily ordered. Tn
-four market is apparently In good shape. New
orders are not numerous, but the mills are busil,
| employed old business.
Wheat, including flour, exports, week ending