The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-12-13
SHIPPING DEPARTMENTS
ARE CROWDED WITH WORK
According TO Dun and Bradstreet, Holiday
Demands Are ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Railroad Earnings Are Excessive.

New York, December Pr. G.. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review tomorrow will say:
Lower temperature and holiday demands
have combined TO accelerate retail trade,
sales largely exceeding the corresponding
week In preceding years. Much postponed
business Is being made up and shipping
departments are crowded with work, but
wholesale trade has ruled quiet. Railroad
JRrlings for the month Of November ex-
ceeded last years by per cent, and those
OF 1900 by 20.5 per cent.
At the arst glance the sudden rise IN
furnace stocks Of pig iron to 0i295 tons,
compared with 7l,SJS on November i,
might suggest that consumption was be-
low production, but obviously any accumu-
lation that occurs is due to inadequate
transporting facilities since needs are
urgent, az evidenced by the imports OF
Eastern steel works. The pressure is still
greatest tor railway supplies, with struct-
ura metal next as TO urgency of demand
Small supplementary orders for spring
shoes are received by New England shops,
but the season IL practically over. Aside
from activity In union sole, the leather
market has been quiet. On the otheE manu-
foreign dry hides are hrmly hcld, despite
increased receipts. Conditions are prhcti-
cnlly unchanged as to cotton goods, fair
volume Of orders preventing accumulation
at the mills, Quotations are steady anu
export sales of heavy brown cOttons con
tnue very small. Wooden goods for next
fall have been opened at an average al
vance OF from > TO 10 per cent
Failures this week in the United states
nre go, against 2iU last week, 2l3 the pre-
Cedlng week and 2I3 the corresponding
week last yeaf, and In Caunda 30, against
10 last week, l6 the previous week and II
last year.
WHOLESALE TRADE QUIET.
New York December t. Bradstrcets to.
morrow will say: Retail distribution now
easily occupies 6rst position IN the trade
situation. Wholesale trade, except where
lnroads upon retailers stocks have induced
recorders, Is rclHpsing into the quiet usual
at the stock taking period. Building trade
activity has been checked hy the climatic
influences prevailing and the distribution
of lumber and building materials generally
n less active other leading industries also
note the quoting down usual at TINS sen
son. Great basic conditions, however mai
for fufure prosperity. Halfway earnings
show an increase of - per cent for No
vemhCr over the same month year ago.
Recorders OF heavy goods FROM loOhrrA
nre still OF moderate proportions ~ ihe
West but spring sales are larger than "a
year ago IN dry goods, shoes and clothing
Holiday trade Is brisk Tor this early stage
Of the season at the NUSt
II has been a narrow market Tor cotton.
Spring business IN heavy clothing shoes
and rubber goods is reported Of liatterins
volume There is hut little new In the cot
ton goods market, the expert branch being
still very dull
Wooden goods nre arm and tho mills are
well employed Hides and leather are dulI
aud rather quiet
Lumber "a quiet, as already noted, but
prices nre unlmpaired.
Among the Industries iron and steel alone
show some symptoms Of weaker prices for
crude material but this, on the whole, ~
moro apparent than real because demands
for supplies are as pressing as ever ana
production has not yet overtHkCn consump'
ton Lower prices for coke. Iron at the
West, and weaker quotations for foreign
foundry iron at the eeaboard may he really
regarded as establishments OF Ahuorma'
situations previously prevailing.
Business failures IN the United states iG'
the week ended Thursday, December l y
numbered 2AT, MS against 1S5 last week
p9s I'm this week last YEAR, 2lT IN lWo
eli ia 1893 and pa in lS0S.