New-York tribune., 1902-12-27
CONDITION OF TRADE.
"Dun's Review" says:

Trade 6e,,s and speculation experienced the
which sold freely. many packing and shipping de-
partments being still engaged on this class of
fed time. Industrial undertakings interrupted
In many cases by the taking of Inventories while
tained. Orders still come forward freely and the
books than ever before Prices of commodities are
firmly held by the steady domestic demand and
staples In this. as in many other instances. how
transporting aces which restrict shpmenGts te
the seaboard Financial conditions satisfac-
ciai needs, although speculation is hampered bv
high rates; Bank exchanges for the week at this
135 per cent larger than in 1899 At other leading
respectively. Railway earnings thus far reported
for the month of December surpass last years by
Quiet conditions in the iron and steel industry.
unaccompanied by any sign of weakness. testify
for the coming year. Furnaces and mills will ex-
ten tend the season OF beyond the usual time
cumulate moderate supply of coke. The situation
improved. very large amount of business viii
be carried over into next year. probably than
forward more slowly of late, mainly because of the
W tS OF ho there
ter terms in 1908. Foreign pig iron is offered
imported nor home made iron is available for t'9l n
mediate use In large quantities Independent steel
prices for billets. which cost S31 for early
Increase in production compared with any IRE
ceding year The strongest department of this
Industry appears to be steel bars. Wages were ad-
vanced per cent by the Frick Coke Company
"Bradstreet's" says:
Satisfaction with the old and confidence in the
year are the dominating features as 1902 draws
to close The enormous holiday trade exceeding
in most respects all records proved be a fitting
crown to year of almost unprecedented business
and industrial activity. Except in sections of
the South aud Southwest. where crop and weather
conditions had led to modification of otherwise
sangune expectations. the volume of seasonable
business is in most respects satisfactory. In the
East the West. the Northwest and on the Pacific
Coast there is but note. and that of satisfac-
weeks Additional reports received OF trade dis
tribution for the confirm those hitherto given
of an enormous volume of business modified Ii IS
true in some respects by higher cost of materials
and wages limiting profits. With the larger turn
over, however and the active demand In most lines
the profit side has not been entirely lost sight Of
and it Is safe to say that equally satisfactory re-
turns in years to come would prove acceptable.
Reports of results in banking circles this year are
that good profits have been gained as result of
the comparatively high and the same time steady
rates for money The holiday spirit has ruled In
wholesale lines this week. Most of the statesmen
are In from the road. and except for recorders TO
repair depleted stocks, jobbers are quiet and
stock taking is the main interest Industrial opera
tions have naturally slowed down, except where
conditions, in railway traffic are such as to de-
mand the straining of every nerve to keep up with
business offered and prevent nidwnter conges-
ton. which, in the present situation of abnormal
small supplies of fuel the country over might re-
suit In serious arrangement Not only spring
goods being ordered with freedom and confidence
but prompt delivery OF the same Is being urged