Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-27
HOPE NEXT YEAR is AS GOOD.
Bradstreet Says High Prices and
Wages Restrict Fronts.

Wages Restrict Fronts.
NEW YORK. Dec. 26.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Satisfaction with the old and confidence
with the new are the features as the year
draws to a close. The enormous holiday
trade, exceeding In most respects all prece-
dents, proved n fitting crown to a year OF
almost unprecedented business. Except In
some sections of the south and southwest,
where crop and weather conditions had led
to a modification OF otherwise sanguine
expectation, the volume of business is I'm
most respects satisfactory. In the east,
west, northwest and on the Pacific. coast
with the results achieved during the last
few weeks.
Additional reports received of trade dis.
tribution for the year confirm those hith-
erto given of an enormous volume of bus
mess. modified, II is true. In some respects
limiting profits. With the large turnover,
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 returns In years to
come would prove acceptable.
Reports of results In banking circles this
year are that good profits have been
gained as a result OF comparatively high
and, at the same time. steady, rates for
The holiday spirit has ruled in wholesale
lines this week. Most of the statesmen are
in from the road and except for recorders
20 repair depleted stocks jobbers are quiet
and stock-taking is the main interest. In
dustrial operations have naturally slowed
way traffic. are such as 10 demand the
straining of effort to keep up with bus
| mess offered and prevent a midwinter con-
gestion, which in the present small supply
of fuel the country over might result In
serious f err nEeared Win Mot fr Saig are and sp cons
idehce. but prompt delivery of the same
is being urged.
Weather conditions the last week have
favored the rubber and foot wear trades.
The covering of snow over the winter
| wheat has increased and the demand for OIL
ufnpag 10 said IN he far In aXHaEG nl AnnnlN
The increased use of oil is enabling produc-
ing interests to reap a harvest.
Textile trades generally return satisfac-
tory reports, though s~easonable quiet rules
in distribution. Textile manufacturers
note an Increase OF from . TO 10 per cent
in woolens and yarns over a year ago.
Cottons are rather quiet except where ac-
cumulations in bleached goods have been
moved at slight reductions
In mems woolens the conditions are ex-
cellent. Machinery is well employed Raw
wool is strong and rather more interest
this week. Australian advices are bad,
because of the drouth, and a great short
The lumber interest is satisfactory.
week ending December "a aggregate $780,
4S6 bu., against 3,256.037 bu. last week. A,2sl,-
5S bu. this week last year and 3.S5s'i6 bu.
Wheat exports since July ! aggregate
127, bua against l44,SSl5b S ou' last
Corn exports aggregate l.5o2 55l bu..
against 1,556.ln bu. last week, 424.S5O bu.
last year and 4yOl1, 100 bu. in 1900.
For the fiscal year exports are S,lSS'SiS
bu, against 20, $50, 245 bu. last season and
| 81. 3S3, 079 bu. In 1900.
Among the great industries, iron and
steel are naturally quiet at this season OF
the year: still the continued fuel scarcity
Is Affecting production OF merchant FUR
naces east and west. The larger interests.
which control primary sources OF fuel, are,
however, doing well, and the net REDUCTION
i'm output, due to the coke trouble. Will be
smaller than earlier anticipated. The bet
ter tone noted in the demand last week
stilI continues. Structural iron still leads
in strength and demand. Some heavy or
ders are being placed. Plates, like rails.
/ are heavily sold ahead. Higher wages for
coke workers are an item OF Increased
cost. but the disposition TO advance ore
prices will probably be combatted by the
| larger interests. Foreign pig iron has
| weakened and the outlook abroad generally
Is rather poor. Railway building has been
\ active this year-the heaviest. In fact, for
fifteen years past-and showing a ~ per
cent Increase In mileage over a year ago.
! speculative feeling in copper is better, and
talk OF an Improvement In the metal itself
Business failures for the week ending
Thursday number I6i, as against 25 last
week. 215 in this week last year, 23 In
| 1900, 2l3 in 1893 and 2O In 1898.