The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-21
WlNTRY WEATHER ACHECK
But Spring Trade Is Far Ahead OF
Last Year Despite the Temper.
airy Handicap.

New York. Feb 21.-Bradstreets to-day says:
Wintry weather has retarded but not checked
spring jobbing trade, which, despite drawbacks.
is still far in advance of a year ago. Retail
business has been more noticeably affected, and
buying has been lessened temporarily. This
has also further accentuated the vexed trans
porta.ion problem. The favorable side OF the
wenther situation is unquestionably the heavy
snow which has covered the entire surplus pro-
ducing winter wheat belt. putting that plant
temporarily, at least, beyond danger from sea"
sonable changes Other Developments OF the
week have been mostly favorable.
The price situation, indeed. taken as whole,
is remarkable one. Country produce, Dartlcu-
larry butter and eggs, has displayed exceptional
strength. while the great majority OF staples
retain all their old steadness, except wnefe
further advances noted, as in the case OF cot.
ton goods which very strong at the highest
price in years. Collections are rather better
as a whole ranging from fair to good the coun-
cry over. Industry is active, limited only by
transportation facilities.
Reports from the shoe and leather trade are
rather irregular. Leather is reported quiet ex.
cept at the: west where considerable sales at full
prices are reported by tanners. The sugar mar
ket has been unsettled. but the net change on
the week has been Slight advance on >rehned
despite stories that jobbers are cutting prices
Coffee remains steady at close to the lowest price
on record. Consumption still leads production
lin the eruder forms of iron and steel.
Finished materials are i'll active demand bn'
the general complaint is that four to six weeks
is used up ia making deliveries instead or nFe
to ten days, the usual period IN norman Times
Increased inquiry is reported by southern furnace
interests and quickly available iron finds ready
| market. but the scarcity of this article limits
| business Foreign holders Of iron and steel arc
| rather frmer In their views. In finished prou
ucts plates bars and structural material ant
pine there is not exceptional activity
l. Wheat CncIuding -FOUR exports for the week
| Guiding Feb. 10 aggregate 2.113,7o2 bushels
| against 2.S56.439 last week. 36o9. 43o in this
| week year ago. and 5. 424 .3o2 In 1901. Whea
exports since July / aggregate 1853, 13o'769 bush
els. against 176.e31 $50 last season, and 12?,
e6s6S0 in 1900 Corn exports aggregate 50 81 Il. ;
45I bushels against 1.S3o.1 40 last week, 4t so
! n year ago, and s. 267 ,66S in 1901.
| For the fiscal year exports are 2s.3'o'ot
bushels. against %, sO6.325 last season. an
! 127 90. SS4 iii 1901.
/ Cotton reached and passed 10 this Week heaF
| speculative buying being reported IN New 1orh
| New Orleans and Liverpool. While this ma
have been largely nlanipulative, additions
strength was given by the reduced movement
the crop claimed to be due to bad Weathe
over and beyond all. however. was the strehet
impaired by the active demand for ftrlsned proc
ucts reported 1t being a sellers market iof a
classes of cotton goods The advance IN I.
nrice Of cotton yarns is reported to nave or
couraEed business, but manufacturers onefin
rs huy have done a far business wool ht
lheer dull and firm reports Of actiTe emp'o
ment for mill machinery and small aSanao
stocks Of the raw material. r. .-.