The Saint Paul globe., 1902-01-25
WESTERN TRADE CENTERS PROSPERINC
Retail Business, Judged by Advance Orders Will Be I'm
mense

NEW YORK, JAN PAR. G. Dun e
CO.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow
will say:
Little of a novel nature has DEVELOPED
in the business or financial situation dur
Ing the past week, active manufacturing
plants becoming still more busily engag-
ed, while the downward tendency of
prices was not checked Retail trade is
OF great volume, and jobbers have i'm
menSe spring orders to fill. Western
cities send the most satisfactory returns
put nearly all sections are enjoying
wholesome activity, even the South show
Ing evidence of Improvement
Wages were voluntarily advanced at a
nImoer OF manufacturing plants, hours
redIced at others. There were few labor
controversies, while skilled Workmen are
III greater demand than supply
conditions in the iron and steel indus
Lry are shown by record breaking produc-
ton at many plants and rapid increase
or facilities at others. When orders for
ra1is cannot be taken because delivery is
desired before the last quarter of the
year, it would seem that new figures Of
output We're assured for 1902. Structural
mills are equally well occupied, having
contracts for office buildings factories
bridges, track elevation and other con-
strrctive work. Plates and sheets are
available more promptly, owing to en-
larged capacity Of mills.
textile markets are quiet, although re-
pcrtS or the jCbbing trade are most ia
yorable, except at some Southern points
certainty as to the future of the raw
material tends to unsettle prices Spe-
cl<1eS have been put on the market with
a fair degree of success. Heavy goods
ISr emma are in better inquiry, although
the views of sellers are still above prices;
offered. Home buying of fine yarn goods
increases. Print cloths are nominally 8
cents, and scarce for near delivery. Wool
ell mills are working overtime, and have
much business in sight. More linens
opened, at slightly lower figures. than
a J ear ago, which was natural in view Of
the dlfference in cost of raw material
Raw wool is strengthened by the higher
prices secured at the London sale.
Footwear holds firmly to the advance
rcpC rted last week. with only a moderate
amount of business. Sole leather is firm.
with stocks low, but some other varieties
are slightly easier. Hides are still de-
Ginning, and especially for imported goods.
There is no longer the reckless buoy
ancy in cereals so conspicuous a short
time ago. Disaster to one prominent cp-
orator had a calming influence, and in the
case OF corn the Insignificant exports can
nos Well be ignored. From Atlantic norts
for the week the movement was but 352. :
4oo bu, against 3,472 614 year ago. For
eigi! buying of wheat, flour included. is
nluch more liberal, all ports of the Unit
ed states sending out 4,320O05 bu during.
the past week, compared with 4,O36. .381 bfI
year ago. Meats have weakened es-
pecially lard, and dairy products are
also less inflated.
Raw sugar stiffened, owing to restrict
ed arrivals, which are natural, since Gu
ran holders await favorable tariff ar
rargements and bounty discussion affects
conditions in Europe. Cotton is not re-
celVlng the support anticipated, reports
OF exhaustion of stocks on plantations
being refuted by undiminished receipts.
Failures for the week numbered 3M in
the United States, against BOG last year.
ard Is IN Canada, against 46 last year