The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-12
COLD WEATHER
H|ND[RS TRADE
Effects of War and Baltimore
Fire Not Felt Every.
where.

NEW YORK, Feb. Bradstreet's
tomorrow VIII say: Cold weather Is
still a bar to expansion In spring trade
throughout the West, but Southern
distribution continues notably active
and signs of life are found in leading
Eastern markets. The Baltimore dis
aster and the beginning of hostiIities
in the far East, though affecting specu-
lative markets to some extent has vet
no notable result on trade outside of
sections Immediately concerned,
though some of the present great
strength of prices of most commodi-
ties may be attributed to the latter
development Trade and Industrial op-
erations betray effects of conserva-
tism some time ago predicted, but it
is yet too early to measure the posi-
BILE extent to which the seasons turn
over will contrast with the exception
ally large business done in all lines
one year ago. Railway operations,
owing to severe weather in January.
are resulting in decreased gross earn
ings, following reduced net returns in
December.
Outside of the diversion of some i'm
mediate distributive business from the
burned city to other markets, the eff
fects of the Baltimore fire, have been
strikingly in contrast with correspond
ing events in the distant past. Good
management Of the insurance business
Is illustrated in the fact that with a
possible total loss of $65,o00,00O, no
real embarrassment in meeting obli-
cations is expected and the restoring
Of the city to normal conditions is
making swift progressi =. Baltimore
buyers are in other markets looking for
new stocks and the effort to hold that
city's spring trade will be, energetic.
Country buyers are increasing In
number at Chicago, st. Louis and Kan
sas City, but conservatism in buying
Is noted. Cold weather prevents out
side activities in building and limits
buying Of material, Reports to these
centers as to Western trade prospects
are good, and a good spring trade is
anticipated y
FIourishing on the Coast.
On the Pacific coast trade is improv
ing and special activity in war supplies,
coal, fodder, dried and canned fish and
-four is noted. Southern trade reports
show the preparations making for an
immense cotton acreage in good reports
from the fertilizer, implement, provi-
sions and mule market.
In wooden goods the demand for fall
delivery Is rather backward yet Raw
wool is quietly firm, with coarse woods
displaying most strength. The iron
trade is irregular. Pig iron sales are
not large and prices display ease, de-
spite talk of large transactions in the
Central West.
Western trade in finished products is
reported larger at Chicago and Pitts
burg. Wire goods, plates, bars and
structural note Improvement, and the
pipe business is better situated than a
year ago. Steel billets are reported be-
Ing shaded through the exchange of
scrap and pig iron therefor. Other
metals are dull, but copper Is rather
firmer, while lead is strong.
/ The Eastern shoe trade is rather
quieter in actual demand, but manu-
facturers are firm in insisting on better
prices, claimed to be necessary to de-
fray higher cost Of material, which Is
very firm.
Wheat, including -four, exports for
five days ending Feb. 10, aggregate
1,746,255 bushels, against 2,604,226 last
week, 1856, 439 this week last year, o.
175,481 in 1902, and 4.S14,S7S in 1901.
From July 1, 1903, to date, they aggre-
gate 103,OS0,519 bushels. against 49,
S13,979 last season, 16s.797,O32 in 1902,
and 121, 620,50 in 1901.
Corn exports for five days aggregate
589,362 bushels, against 1,411,186 last
week, 1,830,170 year ago, 527,366 in
1902, and 4,670,422 in 1901. From July
1, 1903, to date, they aggregate $685.
OIL bushels, against 24,566, 1876 last sea-
son, q, 064,54S in 1902 and 120,713,922 in
1901. 4a..n
Business failures in the United States
for five days ending Feb 10 number
202, against ZIG last week, PIT in the
like week in 1908, 265 in 1902, 226 in
1901, and 1919 in 1900.