The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-17
SPRING ORDERS HEAVY
THE FUEL SHORTAGE THE BAD FEATURE
OF THE SITUATION.

New York, Jan 17--R. G. Dun h Co.'S weekly
review of trade says: -..,. f,.a. ,,yl.,
Fuel shortage is still the one seriously aislurp-
ing element In the Industrial situation. Trans
porting facilities have been diverted from othel
merchandise to the disadvantage OF shippers, YET
iron furnaces are unable to secure sp1ne1enl
supply Of coke and many other manahas.ut ~;
plants are closed because Of Inadequate coai
deliveries. Mines are more fully operated. Dut
there is no prospect of normal conditions until
spring. "a IL ..x.,,z
week stimulated distribution Of heavy clothing
and other seasonable goods. Retail. trade was
accelerated by the customary clearance saies
especially in dry gods anod KINDRED pfancn e..
spring goods, the volume Of advance business
surpsssing the customary amount FOR this time
of the year. --... .-.....:.....
Quiet. conditions in the iron and steel markets
do not mean dullness or diminishing consump-
ton but merely the uverso1d condition OF fur
naces and mills, together with the great uncer
tainty about Keeping plants active on day to Gay
supply Of fuel, Inquiries are numerous, especial
~ in structural lines, but makers are not ready
to accept bids until the future appears more
definite, ., ..:-.t... tr,..:s, a.. .;;,,.,.r-,.
New plans constantly come forward for large
office buildings, notably at the west, wn1cn
means vigorous consumption OF structural steel
| and the demands from car builders are phe
nomenal. Practically the entire capacity OF the
| leading plants is already booked for six months
| and at many concerns Tho last half of the yea
will bring no 1dleness unless orders are can
! celed. - {: .,->s.. .-.a = =.
| Eastern manufacturers of footwear full!
employed on spring slices, but new orders ar
| light for later delivery. although western job
| hers purchase freely of fall samples Quiet con
| ditions in leather have been succeeded by an In
| creased demand for hemlock. sole and STANDARD
upper, shoe manufacturers placing liberal orders
| Last weeks slight recovery In the hide marke
| was not sustained. - .a..:.$.
! Dry goods trading has increased in volume
buyers arriving in gfeater numbers and tn
| prospect favors still more activity In the latte
half Of the month. There is little dispositio
to anticipate wants in the cotton goods division
but immediate needs have evidently grown NOR
ing of piece dyes made at an advance, bu
not as much as some sellers anticipated.
Only moderate fluctuations have occurred i
the great staples, with the tendency upward, an
| conspicuously firm tone in evidence. Highe
prices have been charged for refined sugar an
| raw grades are firm, but weakness is the fea
ture in coffee, owing to excessive supplies at a
points. be-. .~. ...-.... -.~,~
Failures for the. week numbered 267 In tn
| United States against B34 last year, and IS
Canada compared with 40 year ago. ~.-. .
| Wheat, Including -four, exports for the wee
ending Jan. 49,, aggregate 1855. GA bu: asafns
s, O99, O51 last week and 4s9o, 202 in this wee
| year ago and 1856, o64 in 1901. Il,
Wheat exports since July aggregate 140. GAG, SO
bu, against LIS, 004, 130 bu last season and 1O7
| 21D966 bu in 1905. >.s-e =. . 4. VI. .-.s
Corn exports aggregate 1884 ,e12 bu agains
2,S56,e86 blu last week. 2oS, 093 bu year age
and 5,1S4, $40 bu In 1GO1. For the fiscal. yea
last season and $685. 95 blu in 1901.