The Washington times., 1902-12-27
NEW YEARS BUSINESS
LOOKS PROMISING
BigOrderS Continue toCOme
Forward.
FINANCES IN SOUND HEALTH
R. G. Dun g. Co. Report FavOrably on
Trade Conditions-COtton
Market Prosperous.
FINANCES IN SOUND HEALTH

NaAhCA EAOS pclOuo.
NEW YORK. Dec. 27.-R. G. Dun's
weekly review OF trade says:
Trade and speculation experienced
the customary holiday quiet. except in
Christmas goods, which sold Freely, many
packing and shipping departments being
still engage1 on this class Of work which
could not be completed at the specified
time.
Industrial undertakings are interrupt
ed in many cases by the taking OF in
YentOries. while other plants are closed
because fuel cannot be obtained. Orders
still come forward freely. and the new
year will open with more business on
the books than ever before.
Prices Of commodities are firmly held
by the steady domestic demand. and
there is a good export movement Of the
leading staples. In this. as in many
other instances, however. there is still
the drawback of inadequate transporting
facilities which restrict shipments to
the seaboard
Finances Good.
Financial conditions are satisfactory.
money being in sufficient supply for COM
mereial needs. although speculation is
hampered by high rates. Bank exchanges
for the week at this city were 27 per
cent smaller than last year and 1875 per
cent larger than in 1899.
Railway earnings thus far reported
FOR the month of December surpass last
years by 80 per cent, and those Of 1900
by 11.6 per cent
Quiet conditions in the iron and steel
industry, unaccompanied by any sign Of
weakness. testify to the healthy tone and
suggest bright outlook for the coming
year.
Reports from the South show a large
Increase in production as compared with
any preceding year The strongest de-
partment OF this industry appears TO be
steel bars.
New England shoe factories are in
fun operation and have liberal orders
on hand. Quotations are firm but with
out change. as there is little new busi-
ness coming forward at this time to pro-
duce fluctuations. Staple lines are spe-
cially strong in tone. Statesmen at the
West send in large sample orders for
fan styles. but no contracts OF impor-
tence have been placed as yet.
Cotton Market.
An Unexpectedly favorable feature has
appeared in the market for cotton goods.
After a long season OF stagnation in the
export division the demand for China
suddenly became considerable notwith-
standing the depression In silver and
liberal stocks OF cottons in Shanghai.
Collections are satisfactory. both at
the mills and with iobbers In wooden
goods there Is a good demand, overcoat-
ings providing the chief feature. but
cloak manufacturers have also bought
freely. especially OF light-cOl0Ted lines.
Small fluctuations have occurred in
the leading agricultural products. with
only a moderate volume OF speculation.
and many exchanges closed for a double
holiday. Corn has not recovered from
the recent severe decline. although cash
prices were not depressed proportion
ately owing 70 the ready absorption Of
receipts. The car shortage held back
much grain that would have come 10
market otherwise.
Statistics Of movement we're inter-
rupted by the holiday. four full lays
comparing with FIVE last year. yet re-
ceipts OF corn reached ?.:55. los bushels.
against 2.5s6.1sO bushels a year ago.
Shipments from Atlantic coast ports
steadily gain. 1926 comparing with
only 81. .25s bushels a year ago. Wheat
has strengthened slightly because Of
some adverse weather reports from
abroad. while the domestic winter wheat
condition is most favorable.
Interior Arrivals.
Interior arrivals Of 3.2l3OOs bushels
compare with S.76s 435 bushels last year,
and total exports from all. ports Of the
United states, -four included. were $780,
29S bushels for the week. against 3.540. .972
last year. Northwestern -four mills have
decreased output. bat this is not unnat-
ural, Is they had been surprising all rec
ords
Securities rose rather sharply on Mon
day. but subsequently became irregular
II continues TO be a market closely re-
lated to rates for money. the two auto
matically adjusting each other Stocks
advance because Of cheap money. and the
consequent expansion OF loans hardens
money, and Wall Street llquidates.
This promises to continue until Jan
nary disbursements return TO the banks.
Foreign exchange ruled quiet. further
declines being prevented by demands In
connection with annual statements Com
mercial bills are In better supply. mer-
chandise imports AT this port for the last
week falling below those OF the corre-
spending week year ago. while exports
showed a moderate increase
Liabilities CT commercial failures thus
far In December aggregate s. .72O .S74 OF
which - Q5b. 1R1 were In rr,arrrF,~t,,-s.,.~