The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-20
! HOLIDAY TRADE HEAVY.
WHOLESOME CONDITIONS PREVAIL
MOST SECTIONS OF THE COUNTRY.

New York Dec. 20.--K. G. Dun & Co.'s weekly
review Of trade for this week says:
Holiday trade has exceeded even the most san
guine expectations, and retail dealers in all sta
pie lines OF merchandise are we'll maintained
with the better grades OF goods In brisk de-
mand. Wholesome conditions prevail IN most
sections of the country, although In parts OF the
southwest the season has fallen behind the aver
age. Even IN these cases reports are encour.
aging for the future. Industrial plantsHar well
employed, orders running tar into the future aho
labor controversies are rare. The only adverse
feature OF the situation is the fact that suppieF
OF fuel are utterly inadequate, both for house
hold and manufacturing uses, snow increasing
the delay of deliveries Railway earnings thus
far reported for December exceed last year by
40 per cent, and those of 1900 by 1914 per cent.
Two events of import ance have occurred IN re-
lntion to the leading manufacturing industry
The United States Steel corporation has great!
extended lis scope by absorbing many outside
plants and certain desirable railway connections:
The other was the announcement OF advanced
freight rates. to take effect Jan. 1, showing an
average increase of about 10 per cent on products
of iron and steel. Otherwise the situation is
ing over $3.50, 900 tons OF untitled orders on its
books and work Is being pushed as rapidly as
supplies OF fuel and material will permit. Sup
plies of coke do not increase and many furnaces
are idle.
Contracts for bridge work and track elevation
are freely offered by the railways and accepted
only condition that the exact date OF delivery
shall not be specified. Despite the fact that nan
mills are sold close up to the end of next year,
new business is offered and urgent buyers are
compelled to go abroad. New England producers
of boots and shoes are not seeking new business
which comes forward moderately In the form or
supplementary orders Prices are firmly held,
but no further advance is reported -.
Although the larger shoe manufactures are
fairly we'll supplied with sole leather, there IS
steady demand from the smaller shops, the hem
lock was advanced by the lending producef.
Further deterioration in quality OF hides mas
again produced a lower range of quotations III
western markets, and heavier receipts or cattle
add to the depression.
A reduction in quotations of leading lines OF
bleached cottons stimulated trading, many BUY
ers having delayed placing contracts In antlc1pa.
ton of this change This division OF the textile
market is now In good condition, with no imme-
date prospects of excessive supplies otherwise
the domestic situation is practically unchanged
but in export grades there has been increased ln-
terest on the part of buyers, although few new
contracts are placed as yet. In the wooden eoods
there Is fair volume of orders, In many cases
exceeding available offerings. Wofsteds ahd
yarns are also firm, while few grades OF raw
wool secured another advance. Heavy arrivals Q;
silk have not weakened. the tone -;
Failures for the week numbered 267- In tn
United States, against 2e5 last year, and 16 !
Canada, compared with q year ago.