The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-10
COLLECTIONS ARE GOOD
THIS EVIDENCE OF ABILITY TO PAY is A
GRATIFYING FEATURE.


New York. JAN 1o-R G. Dun & Co.'s weekly
review OF trade says:
Collections are notably prompt at all leading
centers, bearing testimony to the strong -fnan-
cial position of the nations Industries at the
opening Of the new year. Distribution of lmer-
chandise is heavy and manufacturers are pressed
for prompt delivery Orders for spring goods
come freely and in some lines there is more than
a sample business in fall weights. Tardy
deliveries in the past lead purchasers to antici-
pate, requirements more than heretofore, and
orders are being placed far in advance Of actual
needs. The fuel situation is still the seri-
ously disturbing element rendering abnormally
high the cost of manufacturing and restricting
the purchasing power Of almost the entire apopu-
lation Fortunately, this comes at time of
exceptional prosperity or there would be
general contraction Of consumption in other lines.
There is little interruption to work because of
labor disputes but many operations are In
terrupted by the delay in transit of needed ma
terials. -, a..
Railway freight rates were advanced and one
result will be loss of expectation from eastern
cities, the traffic being detected to New Or
leans. -.
In the iron and steel industry, the most, sig
nifcant event Of the week was the discussion
Ing producer. Inadequate supplies Of coke are
still restricting operations. Contracts for the
new year were made at 81 ton, but prompt de-
liveries often commanded Sc or 81, and at Chi.
cago some sales reported at $40. Pig
iron continues scarce, prices generally advancing
during the past week, and the expected advance
of 81 ton was MADE IN wire prOuuctS
Much new business has come forward, especially
in bars and Sheets which had been comparatively
quiet. while there is vigorous demand for
structural maetrial to be used in bridge work
and car shops. Another year of unprecedented
activity in this industry is confidently. antic1-
pated. Partially because of the published sta
tistics of supplies, but more on account OF Lon
don speculation, there was sharp advance IN
prices Of tin and copper, followed by some reac-
ton due to realizing sales New England
producers of footwear are busy on spring orders
and a few deliveries have already been made,
although shipments are light in these lines as
yet.
| Exceptional activity in rubber goods has re-
duced supplies to unusually low point. Some
varieties Of leather. have advanced slightly and
tanners of hemlock sole have only limited hold
tngs Exports of hemlock sole continue heavy
No new features have appeared in the domestic
demand for dry goods. The best event as 10
cotton has been the continued buying for ex-
port which has exceeded expectations very
largely. go ~: T. !
with business restricted by the'reserve of sellers
who show no disposition to make concessions.
AS to wooden goods, the demand for overcoat-
| ings for next fall has not come up to expecta-
J tions which may be attributed in part to the
| fact that the season opened unusually early
Prices are fully maintained at the opening level
| of the sason.
| ending Jan s aggregate 5.09S.951 bu. against
| 5 436 206 last week. 1861, 10 this week veal
ago and 1891 o95 in 1901. Wheat exports since
| lilly / aggregate 135.762.1T6 bu. against LOB,
313 a3T last season and O3.S74.914 In 1900.
| Corn exports aggregate 2S569s6 bu, against
2. 537 .542 last week. .136.s73 a year ago, ana
4 se7. s45 in 1901. For the fiscal year exports
| and 1O3, $50 $40 in 1901.
! Business failures in the United States for the
week ending Jan. number $50. as against 81 2oo
| 1901 2s5 in 1900 and 304 in 1899. .=.: .
The failures in Canada number 80. against 50
last week and 80 in this week year ago.