The morning call., 1893-01-25
TRADE CONDITIONS
The Possibilities Contained
in Low Freights.
Continued Gain in Bank CIearingS.
The Grocery Trade Cereals and
Country Produce Dry Goods.

The volume Of trade at this port during
the coming year ought to be large. Ger
tainIy it will have great stimulus in the
war of freight rates with which this year
is ushered in Both rail and steamer
freIghts are being cut right and left IN
mercifully, and now our merchants are get
ting even on the ruinous rates that have
stagnated San Franc isco's trade for so many
years Low freights always result in
marked increase in the volume of business,
and if San Francisco can keep them low
for few months it will have an excellent
opportunity Of regaining at least portion
of It's lost trade. This city is the natural
distributing point OF the western coast OF
both Americas. and under normal c0ndl-
TONS free from the expressions OF greedy
trans portation companies, would assert and
maintain its unrivaled position without
difficulty. 1t has a chance to do so now.
The local bank clearings continue to show
a gratifying increase over 1892, those last
week being S16, 1S3 600. against S14, 299. 600
for the same week last year.
GENERAL COUNTRY PRODUCE.
Arrivals of hay continue ample and the
market is weak at a further decline.
Beans rule firm at about last weeks
prices, but the demandss not brisk.
Receipts of potatoes have been heavier OF
late. but they are mostly frost bitten and
otherwise in bad condition. The market is
lower than at the date of last review. but
choice stock showsi steadier symptoms at
the close.
Butter is slowly but steadily declining
under gradually increasing receipts.
Cheese continues firm, with moderate
stocks. Eggs are quoted considerably lower
than last week They usually decline at
this time OF the year.
Poultry is coming in from the East again
and the market is accordingly easier.
Dried fruit as a rule is firm and in very
fair demand. Advces from New York are
very favorable to prunes. The visible
supply everywhere, spot and afoat, is only
5000 tons, against usual supply CT 5000 to
10. 600 tons at this time OF the year. Holders
I'm France are Indifferent about selling and
prices rule very firm. Evaporated apples
have again been advanced by the eombina-
ton of holders.
Raisus are reported in better demand and
frmer, there being an inquiry on Eastern
account.
Soft-shell almonds and walnuts are in
slender supply aud firmer. Otherwise there
is no particular change in nuts.
Hops are firm at 1715c to zoe, and buyers
will pay the top figure for choee goods.
Hides ard wool are dull.
The meat market shows no change worthy
of remark, Hogs are firm. beef is weak and
mutton is steady.
THE GRAIN MARKET.
There is not much new in the grain mar
ket this week. Wheat is rather Irregular,
and fluctuates between 81 27h and ST 80,
with no part cular prepOnderance either
way Barley advanced during the week,
but is easier at the close. Choice milling
oats are reported in better demand at
slight advance. Corn has broken under
free receipts. Rye is dull at last weeks
prices. Bran and mddlings have not varied
for soma little time.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.
Canned tomatoes have gone up rapidly
during the past week or so. The demand
is active aud further advance is not I'M
expected.
Imports Of staple groceries at this port
during 1892 were as follows, compared with
1891 Sugar. 2762S5, 900 pounds, against $685.
500. 000 coffee. %, 600 pounds, against
%, 1875, 600; Iice, 1888. 900 pounds. against
43. BOG. 600; tea, 6,155.S00 pounds, against
7,359.000
Canned fruit Is very firmly held, aud as
there is no surplus stock holders are not
anxious to sell, and exact full figures.
Prices are somewhat higher than they have
been.
Coffee is frmer, in sympathy with bet
ter tone at New York, but prices are no
higher.
Sugar and rice show no change.
High prices still prevail for hams. bacon
and lard. and dealers say that there is no
Immediate prospect Vi Sue sCaIclty D6lDR
lifted.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Castor OF has been marked up sharply,
In sympathy with an advance in the East
ern market.
Gasoline Is lower.
Foreign imports at San Francisco In 1892
were S45.608 600, against $53, 326, 900 In 1891
and S45,594,000 in 1890. The amount last
year shows a decrease OF S7.718,000, of
which So. 79S, 900 was due to tho falling off
in the imports from the Hawaiian Islands
and 81 200, 900 TO the decrease In the im ports
from China and Japan.
Dry goods are reported quiet and feature
less. The imports at New York i'm 1892
amounted TO Sl25, 91S.000. against S1i6,-
29S. 900 In 1891 and S146. 1896 In 1890. The
descriptions imported In 1892 were as fol-
lows: Wooden manufactures $50, 795, 400,
cotton manufactures S21. 100, 000 silk manu-
features S43.491,90 flax manufactures
ST.. $50. 700. miscellaneous So, ISL 800. The
quantity marketed last gear wac larger than
the quantity imported. showing healthy
condition OF business.
Coal shows no change. Receipts have
been heavy of late, but the demand has been
brisk, owing to the cold weather, hence
stocks show no accumulation. TIE receipts
last week were $4,000 tons.
-----------D-----