Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-19
BUSINESS IS BETTER
Than Last December According to
the Clearing House Figures.
PRICES GENERALLY STRONGER.
Another Advance Established on Nearly
All Hog Products.
COTTON, WOOL AND SUGAR IMPROVING

SATURDAY, Dec. II.
Bank exchanges this week exceeded those
of the like week of 1891 by 81, ,093, 52O 81,
and, therefore, if bank exchanges are re-
liable trade barometer, the excess shows
that business is running well ahead OF last
year, which was fairly satisfactory one In
all lines Naturally more attention was
paid to holiday goods than to the staples,
but in the latter there was nothing like
dullness, and the fact that the tendency OF
prices in nearly everything but breadstutis
was upward proved strong statistical posi-
tion and q good seasonable demand Cot
ton, wool, sugar, coffee, provisions, live
hogs and cattle showed increased strength,
feed and hay, nothing unfavorable to the
selling side developed. ,...
Of wool it is said the feature is . steadily
improving tone. There is fair movement
for the time of the year, writes an Eastern
authority. Manufacturers are buying mod
erately. as they might be expected to do at
this particular season, but even these mod
crate sales are amounting to a very good
business. They purchase just what wool
they are obliged to have, without manifest
ing any speculative feeling, but these pur-
chases amount to so good an aggregate that
the only conclusion to be drawn is that the
same manufacturers are having good busi-
ness. They are having volume OF business,
the most OF it already secured by orders,
sufficient to require greater amount OF
wool than is in existence from the clip OF
1892, while the foreign markets are very
firm and above the parity of the domestic
markets. Wool must be imported, and
TO- , greater extent enS,+ than ahora a yea, year
When it is imported, it is sure to be i'm
ported at stronger prices than the present
domestic market will warrant. The real
state Of the domestic wool market is en-.
tirely in the hands OF the trade. II every
member of the trade had the amount of
backbone the actual situation of wool war
once be an upward tendea > in prices that
could scarcely be stopped. As it Is, prices
are but little changed, though some houses
are very firm. and are asking rather more
! than October prices. Still the great volume
of wool being moved is being sold at about
| October rates. Some houses are asking Soc
| for Ohio and Pennsylvania XX and above,
and have sold nice lots at that price: Ohio
| x woods are not plenty. with the situation
| firm. The market Is quoted at H@2Sc, while
| some dealers declare that there is no
! Ohio K to be had for less than 29c. Michigan
| X Is firm, with the owners of the best wool
very firm at o6c, though sales are reported
at eb1dc. Fleeces are reported to be in small
stocks, and hence in firm position.
| Re1QrQlng sugar, WlllOtC q Gfay s weekly
] circular says: The raw market has been
| decidedly strong during tue week at l16c
| advance for all the muscovadoes IN stock,
| and probably the same advance would be
| paid for centrifugals If there were any
| sellers, but stocks are reduced to a low
point. The European markets show an ad.
| vancing tendency during most of the week,
| but are easier at the close. The New Or
| leans market for domestic sugars continues
active and strong at an advance of 10 for
| $50 test. Supplies of raws are now some
| what uncertain for q month, and Europe
/ may have to make contributions to our
| needs. The situation is one OF great strength.
| A good fair demand for refined continues
| for the season. A few changes OF prices
! have been made IN some goods, but in gen.
ernl quotations remain as before. with no
| indications of any variance. The country
| buys from hand to m outh to supply its
needs. A large delegati IN of Western whole
| sale grocers have been in New York this
week in consultation with the American
] Sugar Refining Company regarding an ex
/ tension OF the ''grocers' agreement to their
territory. 1t is surprising that the success
| full operation OF the agreement in New York
| ana New England does not lead to its adop-
| ton everywhere.