New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-19
CONDITIONS OF TRADE.
"Bradstreet's" says:


Holiday aud retail business generally Is season
ably active wholesale and jooeing IIaoe CORE GORE,
sPondingy quiet while hut 5 be-
cause of low water in streams or Efforts. 70 reao1
4 nd s4pp Cod % Teat6er Is s an Important
stimulus to heavy wearins apparel 9ndeTWe1f
shoes and rubbers, and at the South TINS, II con-
3GnG{9n with HgR G9fton re6ot that The best
T t i ~ hi 5d7p Failure OF retail
and holiday distribution 70 equal last year t1r-
Pttsburg to iron trade conditions though the feel.
ing there is better than anticipated some snort
movement is Created With some influence Min
neapoliS Other cities reporting smaller 1nqa s eH
Cleveland. while others note less expensive
There are several continuously encouraging
features noted. The car congestion Of a year ago
are handling the current excellent business offering
Win pronaole results as SHOWN 5y 6 Sne I4cI l1
probably show an aggregate gain OF about per
be observed. following heavy gains in correspond
contraction at most leading centres, due probably
to reduced specu!a ton. but one-half the cities OF
throughout the year. Failures do not display more
and there is evidently less tension tran exhibited
a month ago a strong feature in many lines is
sitions, stocks of goods are nowhere large, and
In no prominent instance burdensome. The case
OF money at this season Of the year is striking
and reflects the influence of gold imports and re-
in many directions.
'Dun's Review says:
Business is, decidedly better than at any recent
date. and the Improvement is not confined TO
concern those lines. Continued low temperature not
ing supplementary orders for seasonable goods and
collections are more prompt. Building permits
last year, railway tonnage is heavy and several
manufacturing branches are starting idle ma
greatly strengthened by foreign commerce resu- IS
last month, and that the position is being main
tanned is evidenced by exports for the last week
Wb im1oEtg d 5 3 "a III [iS po1 acne
to a new high water mark and the amount OF
records. On the other baud there is no improve
ment OF the situation In the cotton industry, and
tonai reductions in wages make the total number
affected fully 215O0C. Some disputes have arisen
Earnings OF the railways for the first week Of De-
cember were SO per cent larger than year ago
but largely because OF decreased activity at the
STOCK Exchange bank echangss for the last week
At other leading cities there was decrease OF 20
Confidence is increasing in the iron and steel in
dustry. and the feeling is becoming more general
that prices viii not be materially lower, except
participated the readjustment. 1t Is encouraging
TO find some Improvement in demand for pig iron
although extensive tonnage Is expected to be
taken until 1904. The steel markets have been in
state OF uncertainty during the last week. owing
the numerous meetings in progress for the set
Element OF price lists and wage scales. Most
accelerated by further concessions yet outside mills
Offering better terms. notably In the case Of
binets. Structural material is gradually revtvirg
ward and 1t IS known that much CONSTRUCTION work
syvaTia Railroad tunnel l. ne largest underta king
in sight. and is an important factor in the situa-
coke have fulfilled expectations sales at % par
SEM o. i1 is yTaT hssR PFlGe 5eyipS TO the
secured by manipuators at London, vet there Is no
Other minor metals rule steady. except for small
advance in lead