The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-06
In the Business World.

Inc touch OF winter over the northwest
this week was "a wonderful stimulus
to trade. AS change from the wet and
gloomy weather Of the preceding week it
was very. welcome, and the effect was
seen in general livening up in bust
ness, especially noticeable in those retail!
trade lines where demand had been slow
and business dragging. Complaints of the
slow movement of winter goods, of dull
ness and a lack of inclination to buv. on
the part of the public were more or less
general. 1t needed only the first real sign
of winter to effect a change MINNEAPOLIS
merchants report sales in the past few
days of large volume and the Immediate
outlook for good trade very encouraging.
While it is yet early fer the regular
holiday buying, there is greater ,inuuirv
for Christmas goods than at this date
last year, especially from country buy
ers, who show inclination to anticipate
rather than wait until the rush of the
last week before Christmas. The holiday
trade last year was the largest the coun-
try had ever known, but there is reason
to believe new record will be made, for
the same conditions that made the people
liberal buyers at that time are ruling
to-day. 1t IS. not only that the people
have money, but they are filled with the
spirit of prosperity that, pervades the
entire land, and at holiday time are will
Ing to spend more literally.
Minneapolis bankers report a good de-
mand here for money with no evidence vet
Of, that more quiet turn which usually
comes over the heavier trade lines when
the retail merchants are enjoying the
greatest activity. During the week the
Minneapolis elevators took into store
1,S69,951 bushels Of grain, the largest in
crease Of any week this season. which
brings the total stock here up to 9,52s, 946.
This has created demand for money and
has helped maintain bank clearances close
to the figures of last year, MINNEAPOLIS
with $21, 276,6 05.45 clearings for the week.
showing a moderate decrease in line with
decreasing tendency everywhere through
the country. s,.'~ ?,
This gain In wheat stocks is nothing in
itself and notmore than MINNEAPOLIS should
gain In any week at this time, while
the present stocks here are light and we'll
under the average at this time. But the
city had for a long time been carrying a
surplus stock Of wheat not large enough
to run the flour mills for more than two
weeks at full capacity, and through the
early part of the crop movement there was
only a nominal increase here from weel;
to week. 1t is gratifying to see condi-
lions, with reference to the local supply,
working back to the normal state, and
while the elevator men say they are filling
their houses under conditions affording
them small profits, the situation is better
than earlier in the season and is still i'm
proving. The rush Of wheat to the head
of the lakes will cease with this week and
receipts here should show a still furthe,
increase.
There Is a, scarcity of labor in the west
Every line Of industry needs men and
there is boundless opportunity en-
ployment The wage raising tendency
that marked the past fortnight continues
and more railroads have posted announce.
n1ents Of advances. The only thing ap-
preaching serious labor question is ii
the Chicago territory, where the conduc.
tors and trainmen are impatient and have
announced their intention of requesting
an increase in wages if it be not granted