The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-17
UNSETTLED WEATHER AND PRIMER CABLES Cotton Opened Firm at Advance
 of 6 to 8 Points CONDlDERABLE LIQUIDATION Closed Steady Net Two to Nine Points Hieher-Total Sales Were Esti-
 mated at 25o,ooo Bales.
 cliques at Work.
CONDlOERABLE LIQUIDATION

New York, February 16.-The cotton market opened firm at an advance Of to points and following the call show ed still further strength as result of the firmer cables and unsettled weather throughout the south which led to pre- dictions of retarded movement. There were also evidences of renewed support by the bull clique, that has recently be- come prominent in connection with the May position. but trading was particu- larly active after May reached $50 or points above the opening figures when there was considerable liquidation which was encouraged by reports that the clique, while openly supporting the mar ket, were in reality letting go of their May at the highest level. The estimates for tomorrow's receipts at leading points compared favorably with the figures of last year, but for time had little ef- feet. Commission houses were selling the later options more or less freely and several prominent floor brokers had or ders on the selling side. supposed to originate with prominent Philadelphia spot interests
 The New Orleans market held firmer than New York and the spot markets showed no indication of weakening. The exports also were a very bullish fac tor showing up 45,549 bales bringing the amount of the season for to date up to within 11,s73 of last years heavy move ment. In addition to this liquidation has been considerable, and trade began to lag so that fresh supporting orders met lit- 4t. sAfs. |. ..I steady, net ? to points higher. Total sales estimated at 250,000 bales.
 New York, February 16.-Cotton quiet. middlng 96O, net receipts 4S2, gross 1876, sales 541, stock 1S6,699 exports to Great Britain 3205.
 Total today at all seaports: Net receipts 1887, exports to Great Britain 12156, to the continent 35O1, stock 9O3,S0S.
 Consolidated at all seaports Net re- ceipts 47,523, exports to Great Britain 35 466 to France 664, to the continent 46256.
 Total since September l at all seaports: Net receipts 6,3529 300, exports to Great Britain 1889, 23O. to France ell ,S59, exports to the continent 2,147,S99.
 New OrIsans Cotton Market.
 New Orleans, February 1e-The market for spot cotton was very quiet today on account of the miserable weather condi- tions in part, which rendered satisfactory inspections of samples an impossibility, as well as beecause of the growing preten- sions of factors, who, encouraged by the renewed upward trend of values for con tracts, have elevated asking prices to such a plane as to place the staple beyond the reach of the conservative purchasing ele- ment. Sales 1850 bales, including 500 to arrive. Quotations unchanged.
 The contract market was fairly active. The first call showed gains of to s points and later on gained further slight improvement. This was followed by period of fluctuations leaving the figures at the close to points above Saturdays closing on all current commercial year positions.
 New Orleans, February 16.-Cotton fu- lures steady; February 9.S5 bid, March 9.4Oa9.H, April 943a9.45 May 9.4SG9. .49, June 9.52d9. .54 July 9.57d9. .5S, August 9.24 @9.25, September s5SqS.GO october S.2l@ S.23.
 New Orleans February 16.-Cotton firm, sales 1850, ordinary 77s, good ordinary sss, low middling 8 1916. middling 9ss, good middling 9 913-16, middling fair 10ls, re- ceipts 6S26, stock 354345.