The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-11

NEW YORK, Jan. 1O.-R. G. Dun &.
Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow
Will say:
With the unprecedented holiday bust
ness ended, transporting facilities are
more nearly adequate for regular require
ments. Merchandise moves to consumers
more promptly and in the iron region
there is less interruption to work because
of insufficient fuel. Normal conditions
have by no means returned. however,
and it will be some time before ship
pers can safely guarantee deliveries on
a specified date. Buying of staple com
modities is on a large scale, fully sus-
tanning quotations at high level, ex-
cept in the few instances were efforts
were made to hold prices above the point
warranted by the ratio of needs to sup
plies
Labor controversies are few and unim-
portant, while the new year has brought
advances in the rate of wages at many
points.
Holiday idleness inventories and annual
overhaulings were all cut down to the
lowest possible limit at iron and steel
plants in the effort to meet urgent de-
mands from customers.
Though railways largely augmented
supplies of rolling stock during 1901 con-
tracts for. this years delivery already
aggregate many months full capacity of
shops, and, in structural shapes there is
no. ProSpaehrof surplus in the near fu-
lures Weakness continues in the minor
metals, copper selling cents below the
inflated price of month ago. and The
annual reports of output, consumption
and exports indicate that the reduction
was fully warranted.
Activity continues at cotton mills al
though domestic buying is on a moderate
scale. Exporters are bidding freely for
heavy goods, but as a rule fell short of
holders views and little new business
is recorded.
Jobbing trade in woolens gradually ex-
pands, new lines selling fairly at mod
crate advances over prices prevailing a
year ago Worsted yarns are scarce and
firm A further slight rise has occurred
in the average of wool prices and the
tone is str6ng, but there is a tendency
to await the London sale ten DAYS hence
before making further changes. I'm
ports would be stimulated if this mar
ket were advanced much beyond the for
eign parity.
Footwear in Demand.
Footwear factories are well engaged on
spring and summer lines. with prices
showing a firner tone and fewer pro-
ducers ready to do business at old rates.
Leather has sold freely at Boston, with
hemlock and Union sole.
Chicago packers stubbornly hold to
former list prices, but the market is
weaker. both domestic and foreign hides
actually selling at concessions.
Reports of unfavorable weather in win
ter wheat regions stimulated prices, and
there was further support in the gem
eral resumption of activity at flour mills,
together with added inquiry for foreign
account. Total exports of wheat from
the United States for the week. flour in
cluded, were 4,179,262 bushels. which fell
short of the unusually free outgo of $780,
795 bushels year ago, but compare
most satisfactorily considering the 10
per cent higher prices now prevailing
The combination Of many supporting in
huences took quotations above the high
est point last year. Corn was fairly well
held in sympathy with wheat but some
soft spots developed, as was natural in
view of the fact that the price is now
more than so per cent higher than a
year ago, while Atlantic exports for the
week were 212,941 bushels, against ABB
149 in 1901. Cotton was depressed by lib
eral receipts, though foreign conditions
have improved, and the quotation is al
most $40 a bale lower than at this time
last year.
Failures for the week numbered 573 in
the United States, against 324 last year
and q in Canada, against 81 last year.