Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-06
FOOD PRICES ARE LOWER
This Years Good Crop Reduces Cost Of
Living One Per Cent.
FARM PRODUCTS SUSTAIN HIGH VALUES
Dunn says Trade Continues More Ac-
tive Than I'm Previous Seasons and
Low Temperature Will Make
Up Postponed sales
NEW YORK, Dec. 5.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review OF Trade tomorrow will say:

W. AOAhNAg DNNa IN VI Jun "a W. .
Weekly Review Of Trade tomorrow will say:
Aside from the interruption TO retail
trade in winter goods at many points by
unreasonable weather business activity
continues In excess Of previous years, and
will be made up, now that low temperature
has become general.
While the warmes November on record
In the east affected sales of clothing 1t
helped to restore the fuel equilibrium.
Manufacturing plants are well engaged and
an evidence of the successful season Is
found in much larger Fall River divisions.
Cost of Living Goes Down.
The course Of commodity prices is shown
by Dun's index number, which was 500. 449
on December l, against 1915 on November
l and SlO1.3Is on December l, 1901. Higher
count for the rise during November, but it
is particularly gratifying to the consumer
that the present level is nearly l per cent
lower than at the corresponding date last
year. This change is also in foodstuffs,
where the cost of living was abnormally
expanded by short crops. In 1901.
Cotton mills have light stocks and the
demand, although quiet, is sufficient to
prevent accumulation of goods in nrst
hands. Export trade In heavy, brown cot
tons is unsatisfactory. Recorder demands
for lightweight woolens are Limited and
there is much conservatism in placing
spring business, because of the lowness
with which s%easonable goods are moving.
Owing to heavy initial orders, however,
mills are busy.
"A IuTIneT ADVANCE III raw NOOl utNtAOpS q
better value to the finished product, but
selling prices are without alteration.
New orders for spring shoes are sun COM
ing forward, although the bulk Of the sea
sons contracts have been closed at New
England shops and some plants are assured
of full occupation until April.
Iron Trade Irregular.
Irregularity is reported in the iron and
steel market, most departments having
much busienss. while a few are seeking
new orders and seem disposed to make
slight concessions. Stability Is naturally
most conspicuous in those divisions where
while in cases of extreme pressure and
high premiums for early delivery the I'M
ports that have been attracted higher nave
a demoralizing influence. In view OF the
scarcity of coke. II is not easy for domestic
producers to meet this foreign competition
and when any material reduction is made
It may be found that foreign concerns VII
also cut prices. Thus far, however, only
a slight tendency is noted in the direction
of cheaper iron, and in such products as
steel rails and structural material the con
sumner cannot hope for early. concessions
AS 1t is we'll known that much business !:
held back by high prices. there Is no pros
pect of dullness in the near future. Any
decided reduction of quotations would brine
out these postponed orders. Consequently
the only disturbing feature IN MS INDUSTRY
continues to be the inadequate. supply Of
fuel, and even the most sanguine do no
anticipate a return of normal conditions
before spring.
Farm products are remarkably well sus
tanned, considering the liberal quantities
moved to market.
disclose no weakness in the industrial
structure. On the contrary, there Is ever
evidence of strength.