The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-11
DUN'S TRADE REVIEW.
Transporting Facilities Approaching
 Normal Condition.


 New York, Jan. 1o.-R. c. Dun and Company's weekly review of trade to- morrow will say:
 With the unprecedented holiday busi- ness ended, transporting facilities are more nearly adequate for regular require ments. Merchandise moves to consum- CTS more promptly, and in the iron re- zion there is less interruption because of insufficient fuel. Normal conditions have by no means returned, however, and it will be some time before shippers can safely guarantee deliveries on speci- fled date. Buying of staple commodities is on a large scale fully sustaining quo- tations at high level except in the few hold prices above the point warranted by the ratio of needs to supplies.
 Holiday idleness. inventories and an- nual overhaulings were all cut down to the lowest possible limit at the iron and steel plants in the effort to meet urgent demands from customers. Foundry iron at the East is still scarce. high prices being quoted at Philadelphia, and Chi cago mills cannot secure material in de- sired quantities. Moderate imports have resulted from the domestic deficiency, but this will not become factor of import aEce if tEe situation continues to irn- prove at the present rate. Although rail- ways largely augmented supplies of roll ing stock during 190l contracts for this years delivery already aggregate many months full capacity of shops, and in 4S a surplus in the near future.
 Weakness continued in the minor met als. copper selling cents below the in Hated prices of month ago, and the annual report of output, consumption and export indicate that the reduction was fully warranted.
 Activity continues at cotton mills, all though domestic buying is on a moder- for heavy goods, but as rule fall short of holders views and little new business is recorded. f
 Jobbing trade in woolens gradually ex- bands, new lines selling fairly at mod crate advances over prices prevailing a year ago. Worstcd warns are scarce and firm. further slight rise has occurred fa the average of wool prices and the tone is strong. but there is tendency to await the London sale ten days hence before making further changes.
 Footwear factories are well engaged on spring and summer lines, with prices showing a firmer tone and fewer pro- ducers are ready to do business at old rate. Leather has sold freely at Besto |, with quotations fully maintained, espe- cially on hemlock, and union sole. Chi cago packers stuhbornly hold to former list prices. but the market is weaker, both domestic and foreign hides actually selling at concessions.
 Reports of unfavorahie weather In win ter wheat regions stimulated prices, and there was further support in the general resumption of activity at flour mills. to-, gether with added inquiry for foreign account. Total exports of wheat from the United States for the week, flour includ- ed, were 4.179.262 bushels, which fell short of the unusually free outgo of B. 1sa,7e bushels a year ago. but compare most satisfactorily, considering the 10 per cept higher prices now prevailing The combination of many supporting in- fiuences took quotations above the high est point last year.
 Corn was fairly held in sympathy with wheat but some soft spots developed as was natural in view of the fact that the price is now made higher than a year ago, while Atlantic exports for the week were 2i2.Hl bushels against 543.149 in 1901.
 Cotton was depressed by liberal re- ceipts. though foreign conditions have