The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-30
COAL TRADE CENTER AHouTTHE
ONLY EXCEPTION TO
THE RULE
ESPECIAL ACTIVITY IN THE
AGRICULTURAL REGIONS
Unusually Prompt Revival, After the
Summer Vacation Season - Large
Crops Now Practically Assured,
Though They May Fall Short of the
Maximum Results.

NEW YORK, Aug. 29.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'s weekly review of trade tomorrow
Will say: Gradual resumption of an
thracite coal mining is encouraging,
although the output is not yet suffi-
cient to have any commercial value.
Business conditions are unsatisfactory
at the strike center, but reports from
all other sections indicate unusually
prompt revival after the summer va
cation season with exceptionally large
operations among dealers in the agri-
cultural regions. Notwithstanding
some bad weather, large crops are now
practically assured. although the max
imum results may not be attained.
Manufacturing plants are fully occu-
pied, as rule, the least gratifying re-
ports coming from furnaces that can
not secure coke owing to railway
blockades. The transportation prob
lem is becoming serious, as the factor
of crop moving is about to be added,
and, however, much coal must be
moved by rail that usually goes to
consumers by lake and canal.
The iron furnaces are suspending
production because coke cannot be Sc
cured, and 1T is evident that the rate
or output at the opening OF the new
month viii show serious loss. This
scarcity of fuel was expe led at the
Few plants using anthracite coal, but
has come as a shock to the coke fur
naceS, for the Connellsville ovens have
steadily maintained a weekly produc-
ton Of 100000 tons. Inadequate rail-
way facilities are responsible and the
situation is critical AS the stocks of
pig iron were very low at the opening
of August consumers are in an en-
barrlssing position, and there is
growing disposition to refuse con-
tracts.
Increasing Imports.
Imports are increasing, and numer-
Gus plans are reported whereby the
finished product may be exported in
order to secure the tariff drawback
These operations promise no relief to
domeSuc consumers, and the railways
are especially anxious for supplies.
The dry goods jobbing trade reports
a liberal distribution, and supplies are
only moderate in the primary market.
Changed conditions in the raw ma
terial have accelerated inquiries for
cotton goods, buyers seeking figures
on forward contracts and placing
fair amount of orders. There is also a
better demand to meet immediate re-
quirements, and exporters to China
are again in the market for brown
collOnS. S1lgntly less ACTIVITY Is seen
In mems wear wooden and Worsted
fabrics, but fancy worsteds are in bet
ter request. At last footwear makers
have been able to secure a moderate
advance in prices in response to the
recent sharp, rise in materials. Jobbers
are no longer disposed to wait, but
place orders freely. Retailers are also
pressing jobbers for immediate de-
iveries of goods for current trade
Leather is strong and active, while
hides made higher record prices, but
the market has quieted down.
Deterioration from the exceptional
ly brilliant early outlook for cotton
gave speakers an opportunity to adj
vance options nearly SIS a bale, and
dealings were heavy. Spot cotton was
less sharply advanced, although a firm
tone developed. Failures for the week
numbered 173 in the United States,
against 2O2 last year, and IA in Cam
ada, against 81 year ago.