The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-29
GRAIN PRICES ARE STILL GOING DOWN

NEW YORK, March 28.-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say: Trade activities have
shifted from first to second hands this
week The wholesale and jobbing distri-
button of dry goods, clothing, hats and
caps, millinery and shoes has been rath-
er quieter, as was only natural in view of
the elimination of the spring demand
for Easter Retail distribution, favored
by spring weather, has been very> active
East ana West, with a fair business at
the South.
Among the industries, new demand for
iron and steel has on the whole been
less active, but production and shipment
have gone forward at undiminished head
speed. The building trades have taken
a decided squirt in activity Lumber =
active at all markets at higher prices than
ruled a year ago. The edge has rather
been taken off cotton and cotton goods
prices by the reaction in the raw material
and the talk of further labor unsettement,
but values as a whole are steady.
Aggressive strength in prices is chiefly
manifested by hog products, which it is
declared have been manipulated by pack
ers. A more reasonable explanation, how
ever, is that the higher prices for beef
and mutton have largely diverted con-
sumption of hog products Mnder weather
has relieved the strain the coal trade
somewhat, but strike talk has prevented
weakness in prices.
Rather less activity in iron and steel
is noted, but no loss of price frmness
is observable.
Iron Market Still Strong.
The peculiar situation of the foundry
pig iron market is shown by the fact that
prices of that grade are 81 higher per
ton than Bessemer Finished iron and
steel has been active, implement and
wagon manufacturers buying heavily of
steel bars which are nominalIy 81 per ton
higher.
Despite the fact that tin plate mills are
booked for five months ahead, the leading
interest continues to take orders at "a
per box. Testimony to the activity in
hardware is well nigh unanimous. Chi
cago reports demand active beyond all
precedent. Jobbers in cutlery and build
ers hardware at New York report in
ability to secure supplies fast enough
The analysis of the cotton market
given week ago, to the effect that the
market was on a dead center and that
the position appeared to be over-bought
was confirmed this week by the sharp
break of nearly One-third of a cent in
futures and of one-fourth of a cent in
spots, brought about by tired, long liqui-
dation. A more cheerful tone developed
at the decline, however, and covering in
portion of the loss. Wool is quiet Mills
are busy on previous orders Mems wear
clothing is dull. Boots and shoes are
dull and new business is smaller. Ship
ments for the season are trife smaller
than last year. Leather is quiet and
hides are dull and easy
The leading cereals are irregularly low
er after an apparently futile effort at bull
ing prices Last weeks decline brought
In considerable export business in wheat
and some revival was reported even IN
corn. Steady buying and talk of a squeeze
IN corn were reflected sympathetically in
wheat.
Talk of a Corner in Corn.
The talk of a corner in July corn was
aided by the small supplies of contract
grades, but the tendency to take profits in
anticipation of the holidays weakened
prices, which generally closed lower than
a week ago. Wheat crop-advices nave
on the whole been very good, though iso-
lated reports of damage in Kansas and
Oklahoma have been received. These, how
ever, do not agree with Bradstreet's re-
ports OF liberal rains in the Southwest
and the improved feeling in business cir
cles generally in that section.
Wheat, including flour, exports for the
week aggregate 2,904,010 bushels against
4,S26,34 bushels last week and ASA, 6S5
oushelS III thlS week last year.
wheat exports, July /, 1901, to date (thir-
ty-nlne weeks aggregate 1874, 3990A BUSH
els, against 149, 1923, 424 bushels last season
Corn exports aggregate 1879 EOS bushels
against S39, 891 bushels last week and 3, $50
945 bushels last year July l, 1901. to date
corn exports are 24134,170 bushels, against
I45'S66,33I bushels last season.
Business failures in the United States
number for the week 1873, as against 1877
last week, 1S9 in this week last wear IN
IN lSVe, $50 in 1899 and 226 in 1888.
Failures in Canada for the week num-
Der q as against rs last week and % a