The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-26
THE BUSINESS WORLD.
THE GENERAL CONDITION OF TRADE
Reports from til. Commercial Center, of the
a COuatry-SubstantiAi improvement Noted.
Condition Of the Wool Harkst-Gsa.
.raI stassatiOn Ia the Iron Trade.

Condition Of the Wool harket-Gsa.
.rai stasnatiOn ia the Iron Trade.
. New Yonk, February 24-The telegraph
ic reports to BrGdaree's from the leading
trade centers OF the country show a wide
spread improvement as regards the outlook
for the spring trade. A better feeling is
noted in New York dry goods circles, but
the trade is late. Wheat has declined in
the past week from q to &c per bushel in
American markets, partly as a result oi
better weather throughout the west and
partly as the result OF the depressing intiu'
ence Of recent heavy failures at the west,
which have had depressing effect upon
tie speculatiye markets for grain generally.
Corn declined slightly from the same causes
that affected wheat, but the active consump.
tive demand for that grain sustains the
market Provisions have advanced slightly,
partly rs the result OF diminished receipts
OF hogs at the west, and partly in conse-
quenCe OF speculative buying at Chicago. i,
There were 204 failures in the United
States reported during the past week, II
less than the preceding week, G9 more than
the corresponding week OF lSS2 and III
more than the same week Of 1881.
.Nt IRON. d. kLN.i
The iron market presents much the same
features this week that it did last. Business
generally is slack. The market Is dull and
quiet, and the situation is best explained
by reference to the TACT that Congress is
soon to adjourn. Consumers and manu-
facturers OF iron are waiting until the mem
bers shall get away from Washington, in
the hope that certainty respecting the
tariff, whether it means higher, lower, or
the same rates as now exist, will infuse ami
nation into would.be buyers. American
piy iron is quiet. Sales have been for Inn
mediate necessity only. Known brands
have brought full prices, and qualities OF
lesser note have been disposed OF at con.
cessions, The aggregate sales have been
small. Stocks at mills are small, and
no attempt is made to increase them
beyond present wants. Furnaces con-
sequently keep close to orders. Scotch
pig enjoys about the same degree
Of increased animation noticed last week,
but there are no signs Of Improvement be-
yond the existing advance. Holders are
firmer in their views, owing to the higher
freight rates from the other side to this
port. The arrival during the week will
aggregate about 400 tons, some Of which
will be stored. Sales amount to between
GOO and 500 tons, OF various brands, at
rates previously specified. American bar
iron Is quiet at 2.2a2.5c:, with concessions
for large orders. Structural shapes arc
dull. Steel rails are held at SS9aS40. The
Wall Street Iron & Metal Exchange bulle-
tin reports that large buyers expect con-
cessions on these figures, which points to
lower rates than have been heretofore
named. The present attitude Of the iron
market, as whole, is one OF waiting and
expectancy. No gain is looked ior until
Congress acts on the tarif-or, failing to,
adiourns. la. s--
l,f1l4a aJ WOOL.
BosroS, February 24-Tbe Adyrtirr in
It's report Of the wool market says: The
active demand which has been so marked
during the past two weeks has become
more quiet, although the advance in prices
is fully sustained. The demand has been
almost entirely for legitimate use, there
being little disposition shown TO speculate
indeed, the strong views OF holders makes
| II OF less object to buy woods TO hold for
an advance than was the case two weeks
since, when every one seemed anxious 10
sell without regard to the price obtained.
There seems 10 be scarcity felt in the
stocks held by dealers, and many houses
report an inquiry that they have sold out
so completely during the past boom that
now they are obliged to remain idle until
they can repenish their stores. The
fact that there is only moder.
ate supply. OF wool on hand
causes greater confidence among dealers,
and houses that were eager sellers, even a
week ago, are now Indifferent, as they
claim that they have no doubt OF the
future, and think that values will ulti-
mately strengthen still more. They reason
that It will be long time yet before the
new clip will be available, and that reports
from the country show that there Is only a
small amount OF desirable woods to come
forward, while even the common grades
held throughout Ohio, Michigan and New
York are very high, even compared with
the present prices here. Holders OF woods
in the country have got their imaginations
up, and, as one dealer facetiously remark
ed, "it costs more to buy woods from the
farmers to-day than the same grade could
be bought for here" Manufacturers are
looking about quite anxiously, but bar:
gains are hard 10 pick up, and holders oi
fine lots are awaiting the issue with ex.
treme indifference, as they seem confident
that all desirable woods will be needed be-
fore the close Of the season.