The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-17
In the business World.

Not for a long time has there been such
intimate relationship as now exists be-
tween the central law making power and
the general business interests Of the coun-
try. IT Is years since congress has had
to pass upon questions bearing 80 directly
upon the people In immediate effect as
those now before 1t. The trust question,
being Of a natura involving the greatest
industries in the country, naturally ohal-
lenged the interest Of the business world,
and the measures introduced for the reg
ulation Of trusts and the elimination Of
the evils thereof have not escaped
analysis and criticism at the hands Of bus
mess men. Many thousands of men not
in any way connected with politics, and
taking ordinarily passive interest in the
great questions that come up from time
to time, have followed every phase and
turn OF the antitrust legislation. since
here Is a question which interests even
if 1t does not in some way affect almost
every man engaged in a mercantile or
manufacturing enterprise. Bordering as
1t does upon the matter Of the tariff, and
Involving consideration of the advisable
ity OF adopting some modification of ex-
listing schedules, this question is in every
way the business mans concern and the
keenest interest will attach to every new
development along this line. st..
Yet II the agitation of this great ques-
ton In the halls Of congress has seemed
to move that body closer to the business
men OF the country, it needed but the
bringing up Of the question Of the fuel
supply to put congress into immediate
touch not only with the eountrys bust
ness sentiment but beyond this in direct
touch with all the people.
Whatever may be done to remedy the
coal situation must be done soon, for all
reports speak Of the great scarcity of
fuel and In some lines manufactures have
been seriously handicapped and have been
obliged to curtail their output owing to
inability to obtain sufficient coal. This
is the one bad feature that puts damper
upon enthusiasm and makes hesitating
feeling at the beginning of year that
should show very gratifying results were
there only the usual minor adverse factors
to reckon with. .--.s.
or all the signs that portend a good
period to come there is none so important
As the fact that our country has made
the turn in the matter Of exports. It is
too. early yet for any figures, but it is
sale to say that when the reports Tor
January are compiled there will be a
showing very different from what has
been the rule for year or more. WE
are sending out more cotton, more corr
and more general merchandise than q yea
ago at this time, the gain In corn export;
being extremely heavy. as Indicated b,
: shipments this week Of 2ss4,612 bushels
while in the corresponding week of las
January only 2aS,093 bushels were ex
ported.
The jobbing trade reports a good yoiun.
of spring orders and retailers have had
a period of active demand for seasonabl.
goods. The outlook is for an active build,
ing season, unless the fuel situation shoule
limit production of structural iron anC
make prices prohibitive. It Is the expect
alton that the spring will see slight re,
cession in prices of many commodities
No heavy declines are looked for, but II
= = 3 2
is thought the extreme prices which
caused SO much complaint last year of the
increased cost of living, will not be seer
another year
Monetary conditions in New York show
steady Improvement and we are gettina
closer to the time when there will be
little heard of tight money.
The wheat market showed Ereaj
strength and made material advance
during the week. Conditions favoree
strength and the advance appears war
rAnted. There were reports OF good bust,
ness at the seaboard and large sales o
wheat and flour to SO out later to Europe
Here in America, and. more especiall,
In the northwest, sentiment has favored
higher prices for some time. . But th.
foreign markets, Liverpool especially
would not follow the advances on TIL.
sidA With good crop ii sight in Ar.