The herald., 1895-08-10
LOCAL FIELD OF COMMERCE
Dun & Co.'s and Bradstreet's
Weekly Reports
TRADE UNUSUALLY ACTIVE
Marked Advances in Prices for Iron and
Steel
Evidence of Improving Business Conditions Is
Shown by the Activity in All Manu-
featuring Lines

f. G. Dun & Co. say in their weekly
review OF trade:
Business continues unusually active for
midsummer. and though there is percep-
tible relaxation, there are no signs OF re-
action. The one change OF great import
ance which the past week has brought
is the amicahle settlement between coal
miners and employers in Western Penn
sylvania, Ohio and Indiana. 1t is said
that about 100, 900 men Will have their
wages increased after October l by this
adjustment, and while the enlargement
OF purchasing power is OF consequence. it
seems even more important that
chronic case OF controversy has been re-
moved by the agreement as to company
scores. There is no important change
in the crop prospects. and at this time no
news is eminently good news.
Wheat las declined fraction will
very seanty transactions. the extremely
small western receipts influencing the
market for the present more than the re-
stricted exports. The concerted withhold
ing of wheat by western farmers. If con-
tinued, would doubtless affect the price
Atlantic exports almost entirely. The
western farmers may find reason to regret
that they did not ship their wheat at the
proper time. Corn tends to lower prices
with more encouraging prospects and the
expectation of heavy corn crop affects
prices of provisions, as might be expected.
The industries continue to make pro-
gress and higher prices for iron and steel
products prove that the supply has not
Outrun the demand. Bessemer iron is a
shade weaker but grey forge has advanced
about 60 cents, and finished products are
remarkably firm. Lake copper has ad
vanced to IL cents. Tin has declined
about a quarter of cent. and is quoted at
1420. Lead is trihe stronger at 1855.
The anthracite coal market is completely
demoralized, and prices have again yield
ed little to about the lowest ever known.
Sales OF wool are not as much inflated
by speculation as they were during the
first half of July, but they still exceed
the actual consumption in the manufac-
ture, amounting at the three chief mar
kcts to $3.50, 400 pounds. Prices are very
firm. Some staple cotton goods have
again advanced in price and the market
is unusually strong for the season.
Failures for the week we're 225 in the
UEited States against 26i last year, and
AZ in Canada against 54 last year.
Bradstreet's says: The features of
the business week are a continuance of
the remarkable strength OF the demand
for the increase in the production of steel
and iron, practically all of frst-cass pro-
duction rlants having been put into SER
vice and not few of the cripples Strik-
ing as was the demand for an adavnce in
the price Of wheat, leather. cotton and
other staples for a month or two follow
ing March last no rebound since the
depression of 1894 has been stronger or
more surprising than that in iron and
steel. OF the same nature is the evidence
of improved business conditions shown
by the activity in almost all manufacture
ing lines, particularly. of course, those
III which iron and steel are employed.
The center Of commercial activity at
the west follows a line drawn from st.
Louis through Chicago, st. Paul and Min
neapolis. with an improving demand also
shown along the Ohio river valley. Whole
sale-s at Chicago and st. Louis report re-
ceipts OF good orders for dress goods. hats.
caps, clothing and shoes to a large de-
gree. the result OF personal selections by
interior merchants.
General trade on the Pacific coast has
improved within month. One OF the
features is the recent Importance OF for
eign trade of Seattle and Tacoma.
The development of our Interchange Of
commodities with Oriental, Mexican, Cen
tral and South American countries is hav-
ing marked effect upon the cities named.
San Francisco authorities wire that the
wheat crop IN California is admitted be.
low the normal and that fruits III that
state are ripening faster. almost, than the
Gamers can handle them.
Exports of wheat (hour included as
wheat) from both coasts of the United
States and from Montreal amount to l.
$50, 900 bushels this week. against 1. 460.-
600 bushels last week, and as com pared
with g. All. 600 this week last year and o.
0O0 900 bushels in the like week OF 1893.
+ Z y 4
an inviting field for the Investment of
capital. In our mild climate where
storms are OF rare occurrence, the risk
and danger of the business are scarcely
elements to be counted as OF moment.
The sea is alive with the tinny tribe Of
varieties long recognized as standard
food fishes and which properly cured will
find market all over the world.
Il 4 4
1t is claimed that the refuse matter
from sugar factories will make good fer
tilizer on beet fields and orange orch
ards, etc. 1t is said, by what authority
we do not know, that the European sugar
factories sell this refuse matter Tor from
| ST. 25 to 81. so per ton. Experiments will
be tried at Chino and the results noted.
This is aoout the only correct method OF
arriving at practical conclusion of the