The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-11
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PRICES TENDING HIGHER
Dun's Review Says the Coal Short
age Will Indirectly Affect
All Commodities. am

New York, Oct 11--R G. Dun & Co.. say in
to-day's weekly review of trade: Favorable
symptoms still predomnate and the business out
look is encouraging despite the adverse factors
OF labor controversies, fuel shortage and tight
money. That these drawbacks have not seri-
ously checked industrial progress testifes to the
strong position attained during recent months
of uninterrupted activity and growing conf
denca.
Manufacturing plants dependent upon steam for
motive pawer are finding profits curtuiled by the
high prices for fuel and, unless normal condi-
lions are soon restored 1t will be necessary to
secure better quotations for products The
problem of adequate transportation Is also dis
turbing, as there Is already congestion in the
coke region. When anthracite coal mining Is
fully resumed and grain shipments attain ex-
pected dimensions, the railroads VIII find diff
hculty in meeting all requirements. despite vigor;
Gus efforts to increase facilities. Hallway earn
ings in September were o. per cent larger than
last year and 20.2 per cent il excess of 1900
Duns index number of commodity prices pro-
portioned to consumption was $f0OGlS on Oct
l. an advance Of A. per cent compared with
the position of Sept. I.
1t is certain that all records of pig iron pro-
uuctiOn would be far surpassed If coke could
he obtained with the exceptionally high
prices prevailing. Hence, reports of active
furnaces measure the available supply of coke
rather than the demand for pig iron. Imports
continue liberal scale, although new rulings
to tariff rates checked arrivals of steel bill
let's hallway equipment is still the most active
feature of the market. car shops seeking mate
w
livery because early shipments are impossible.
High premiums offered for locomotives,
but works have their books filled we'll into next
year. Last weeks reduction in prices OF sheets
and wire have not been followed by ANY weak
ness in other branches of the trade while an
improved demand is reported in the lines max
ing concessions.
Shipments of footwear from eastern shops con-
tnue Il large scale comparing fnyorably with
the movements year ago. which was considered
exceptionally heavy. Further sales or heavy
goods for winter reported, ana snip
lneutS Of fall shoes steady.
Most varieties of sole leather and betting butts
are weaker while other divisions of the market
are sustained by liberal purchases. partly for
export Hides dull and weaker. with the
larger buyers ont of the market. and as the
season advances the quality deterOrates.
Cotton mills in New England are preparing to
shut down on account Of the fuel shortage, ana
the market for goods sstrong because supplies
are already limited. JObbing sales are fully up
to the average for this season, and collections are
satisfactory. but uncertainty to the future
restricts undertakings. Conclusion or the OPEN
ing purchases of WOoens has brought quiet
market for spring weights. and there is only a
moderate demand for heavy goods for quick
delivery. Complaints are still heard as to the
delay in movement of sample pieces.
Failures for the week numbered 24o in the
United States against 231 last year, and 81 in
Canada, compared with 81 last year.