Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-13
RETAIL TRADE
Is Now the King Of the Great
HOLIDAY Business.
The Coming Crops Will Greatly Tax
the Railroad Facilities.
Heavy Distribution Of Goods Expected
for Holiday Trade.

New York, Dec. 12-Bradstreets. to-
morrow. will say: Retail distribution,
further stimulated by colder weather
and the advance Of the holiday season,
has expanded largely until now it easi-
ly occpies first position in the trade sit
uation. Wholesale trade, except where
inroads upon retailers stocks have in
duced recorders. is relapsing into the
quiet usual at the stock-taking period.
Building trade activity has been check
ed by the climatic influences prevailing
and the distribution Of lumber and
building materials generally is less ac-
tive. Other leading industries also note
the quieting down usual at this sea-
son. Great basic conditions, however,
make for future prosperity. Railway
earnings, swelled by heavy traffic in
grain and miscellaneous products, off,
setting smaller movements of live
stock. provisions and cotton. show an
increase Of 70 per cent. during Mo-
Ivember over the same month year
ago. thus marking the 39th consecutive
monthly increase shown by the coun-
ltrys railways.
With the close of navigation and the
advent of the new corn crop the situa-
ton confronting railroad men will
prove perplexing. Prices generally
have shown a strengthening tendency.
Wheat, oats, -four and all the leading
cereals. in fact. except corn. are high
er on good domestic and foreign de-
mand, large export takings at reac-
1 lions being notable features. Provis-
ions remain quite firm despite large re-
ceipts of hogs, but lard is lower. H0li-
day trade is brisk for this early stage
of the season at the east. and a heavy
distribution is expected to result from
this and the added influence of cold
weather.
1t has been a narrow market for cot
ton. Receipts have not increased with
better weather. but speculation has
been uncertain and only a fractional
gain is shown for the week. The raw
sugar market is very strong and re-
fined is fractionally higher in good de-
mand. Heavy clothing, shoes and rub
Der goods have moved into consump-
ton largely during the week. There is
little new in the cotton goods market,
the export branch being still very dull.
Wooden goods are firm, lncys elie mills
|are well employed.
raw WOOL retains ltS ola strength.
The distribution of shoes at the West
is the best reported in years but East
ern markets are rather quieter as usu-
|cl at the stock-taking period. Lumber
is quiet, as already noted but prices
are unimpaired.
Alone among the Industries iron and
|steel show some symptoms of weaker
prices for crude material. but this on
the whole is more apparent than real,
because demands for supplies are as
pressing as ever and production has
not vet Overtaken consumption. Heav-
Ter forms of finished material show no
|signs of weakness. fancy premiums be-
ing still paid on quick deliveries of
plates and structural materials. Two
thirds of the country's steel rail pro-
duction for next year has already been
booked. Pig iron production at the
East is improving.
Business failures for the week end
irg. Dec. H. number 247. as against
1856. last week, 233 in this week of last
year. and PAT in 1900.
Wheat. including -four exports for
the week ending Dec. II. aggregate
|3. Isl. 047 bushels, against 500. 440 BUSH
els. last week, and 3.S79.S09 bushels in
this week of last year. Wheat exports
since July l aggregate 120. 501 .496 BUSH
els, against 1876, 34567S last season.