The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-22
e AD
CONGESTION OF FREIGHT
This the Only Handicap to Business
General Conditions Very
Favorable.

New York, Nov. 22.-Bradsteet's to-day says:
Favorable conditions still govern the trade
situation. The mild, open weather Is COM
planned of restricting the movement of winter
goods at retail and delaying collections at q few
points, but it Is not to be forgotten that present
temperature favor the continued growth of the
cotton crop and larger yield than heretofore
expected. while it is enabling the railroads to
| make far better fight against the prevailing
freight congestion than was earlier deemed Dos
slbe. Export trade returns look better than
preliminary reports foreshadowed. Agricultural
reports, owing to high prices, have gone abroad
in smaller volume than expected but there Is
evidently larger movement Of manufactured
goods.
The railroad situation is certainly a remark
able one The complaint is no longer one of
car shortages, of lack Of motive power, or even
OF insufficient yard facilities. The fact is be-
coming appreciated that the business of the
country offered to the railroads Is so large that
ditions.
The strength of the raw material has been of
benefit to the cotton goods market which. how
ever. remains quiet. The wooden goods situation
is without special feature. Leather and hides
have ruled steady in prices and manufacturers
son.
Among the features brought out in kilograms
10 bradstreet 3 this week 1s the increased activ-
ity noted by jobbers In holiday goods. especially
the better grades Of jewelry and fancy products.
Fancy groceries are also moving more freely.
THE iron trade situation is rather stronger
than week ago. Pig iron prices. subject to
Immediate delivery. are slightly higher The
fuel scarcity still dominates the situation and
prevents high production approaching more near
~ to parity with consumption. Western buy
ing of pig iron has not been notably active, but
sharp demand is observed at the east. Bes-
semer pig iron is so cents higher at Pittsburg
and at Philadelphia. Western steel rail mills
are reported to have sold practically their en-
tire 1903 production Plate and structural men
are also heavily sold ahead, and the latter con-
tinues quite active, despite the advanced stage
Of the season. Good-szed transactions in steel
bllets are reported occurring at Pittsburg
There is little new to report among the finished
products. Heavy hardware Is reported queter
at western markets, but light hardware is
active.
''Wheat including -four. exports for the week
ending Nov. 20 aggregate 5.277.672 bushels
against 4,440 160 last week. 5518.9S0 in this
week last year. and 1922 in 1900. Wheat
exports since July aggregated Toe, S62 1924 bush
els. against 122. 701 PAS last season and IS 292
3S7 In 1900. Corn exports aggregate 243.3S1
bushels. against PSI .901 last week, 446:3 5t last
year and s. 235. SeS in 1900. For the fiscal year
exports 2.452. l 63 bushels. against 49, 522 $40
last season and GO. $50. SOL in 1900
'Business fafluers in the United States for
the week ending Thursday Nov. 20. number COL
as against POS last week. 223 in this week last
year. For Canada for the week, 10, against 10
last week"
WEEKLY BANK CLEARINGs.
New York, Nov. 22.-The following table COM
the principal cities for the week ended Nov. 90
with the percentage of Increase and decrease, as
compared with the corresponding week last year.
Per Cent