The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-12
Dun SAYS THAT DESPITE WEALTH.
Err AND FEAR OF STRIKES
BUSINESS IS GOOD
IRON MARKET IS STRONG
More Animation Is Shown in Specu-
IatiOn in Staples, Although
Wheat Moves in Narrow
Limits.

NEW YORK, April 11.-R. G.. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow
will say: Good news predomnates in the
business world, Notwithstanding two
somewhat serious drawbacks. Weather
conditions have been unsatisfactory at
many points, retarding retail distribution
and delaying outdoor work, while excess
sive rain has put many Southern plant
ers behind with work in the cotton fields.
Still more of handicap is the strife be-
tween wage Garner and employer Manu-
featuring is exceptionally active in lines
not disturbed by strikes and there is a
vigorous movement of goods through
regular channels.
At the close of last week negotiations
were concluded for a large sale of pig
iron at $780, furnace, deliveries begin
ming in October and covering six months
This price is in line with the avowed con-
sentative intentions of the leading inter-
ests. Yet spot transactions are reported
at 81 higher quotations whenever buyers
are so fortunate as to secure prompt
shipment. Not only pig iron, but bars
billets and structural shapes are all sold
so far ahead that new business is COM
paratively light. although consumers
would quickly absorb any early deliveries
that might be offered.
The situation may briefly be summed
up in the statement that it is the excep
ton when order books are not filled for
full capacity we'll toward the end of 1902.
Buyers are still placing contracts abroad.
and on urgent business this will probably
occur frequently during the remainder Of
the year.
Staples Show Animation.
Firmness in cotton goods naturally fol-
Ir,yyc ha 0P foI,A
the interruption of work at some mills
with threatened disturbance at others, to-
gether with the higher price Of raw ma
terial. In many lines it is no longer Dos
sible to secure prompt deliveries and buv-
ers have practically ceased to ask con-
Cessions. Large transactions have been
effected for export, mainly of sheetings
for China
Clothing buyers are seeking to secure
Wcolen goods to substitute for deliveries
retarded by the strike, but find the mar.
ket heavily overbOught and many lines
Withdrawn or advanced in prices
Worsted manufacturers are busy and
there is noticeable inquiry for yarns
Footwear manufacturers have secured a
little more business and shops have been
able to avoid the reduced time that was
feared.
Jobbers have placed orders for fall SUD-
plies earlier than usual which had a heIp.
full influence. Quotations are fairly
steady and in the jobbing trade there 10
greater demand for tan shoes than was
expected. Leather is quiet after the re-
cent activity, yet there is no Indication of
weakness and exports increased. Drv
hides have advanced.
Wheat Moves in Narrow Limit.
More animation has appeared in the
speculative markets for staples. Ffuct11a-
lions were more irregular in corn which
broke sharply here and at the West b,lt
made partial recovery, although sti1
remaining below the best price last
month. Wheat moved with narrow limits
varying a fraction according to the nre
ponderance of good or bad crop news
Western receipts for the week We're 100
542 bu, against 2,S6S,042 a year ago. and
the total for the crop year is gradually
falling back to last years figures.
Lower prices stimulated exports for a
time, but shipments of wheat and 4o1r
from all ports of the United States during
the week were only 3,S49 $40 bu. eaInst
4,y6,Sl0 last year and atlantic exports of
corn were only 1929 bu against 2.02O. 349
q year ago.
Cotton moved up to the highest point of
the season and in the option market If
was noteworthy that heavy liquidation
tailed to produce weakness, offerings .,e-
ing readily absorbed. Coffee was de-
pressed by excessive stocks and receipts
the spot price falling close to the low
record. ~"
Failures for the week numbered 1913 in
me United States against 203 last veov
anu ~ III canada against "A last wear