The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-30
DUN's REVIEW OF TRADE.

NEW YORK, n. y, March DR. G. Dun &
Co.'s Weekly Review of Trade will say tomorrow
Signs of improvement the more satisfactory
because neither accompanied apparently pro-
duced by speculative craze Dealings in stocks,
cotton and wheat not diverting all the interest
and capital from productive industries and legiti-
mate trade, though these products are all shade
stronger. But railroad earnings bank clearings
ana industrial indications are more encouraging
this week 1t Is remarkable feature that the
lifting this year begins at the bottom. so to speak.
Raw materials are raised before there is any
demand for their finished products a thing not
often done with success. Hides rose, then leather
and then shoes; cotton rose, and afterward some
cotton goods; coke was advanced and afterward
Bessemer pig. In all these cases it is reasoned that
the larger demand for consumption though yet
wanting must come when II is seen that prices are
Higher wages for coke workers have been fol-
lowed by formal advance of 40 cents in the price
OF coke, and now Bessemer pig has risen SO cents
at Pittsburg and 25 cents at Philadelphia
So far there is no answering increase of demand
in prices for manufactured PRODUCTS and on the
whole the range is slightly lower than a week ago.
Angles and common bar having yielded little
the general belief is that dear materials will kndle
more buying of products. 1t is q sign OF strength
that an Eastern mill has secured in competition
So 70 in freights the contract for u 900 tons of
rails for California railroad, and other contracts
Tor about the same quantity have been placed.
Raw Cotton has been hoised until stronger
market for goods resulted, with some advances in
prices. The tone OF the ry-soods market has been
decidedly irregular, although il does not appear
that retail distribution has correspondingly in
creased. But the stocks OF retail dealers light
and when they feel that prices bound to rise
the demand may grow rapidly.
In the wooden business cancellations in some
lines have been startling in magnitude, MANY mills
which supposed their whole product sold finding
themselves in great need of customers. This
seems to be mainly in low grade goods. inferior
quality being their common complaint. but delays,
through strikes, also play a part while offers of
cheap foreign goods not to be overlooked Quite
large orders have been taken by foreign agencies
for finer worsteds and woolens, and all the way
from the poorest shOddy the best goods the COM
petition will doubtless be sharp for more than one
reason Sales OF wool for the week have been quite
large 5,S29,S00 pounds against 4,07S, 200 last
year; partly because a quantity held for loan
been 200 pounds, against 100000 last
year and q, 1884 in 1892.
Cotton speculation reached halt with the enor-
nous realizing of last week and sales have been a
third smaller, with no advance. The season is late
and there are solid reasons for reducing acreage,
factories and traders being able exert powerful
influence if they choose. But the supply of cotton
bales more than the worlds requirements for this
year with receipts for five months yet to come.
GuesSes as TO about the condition of wheat have
varied widely this week and prices are not much
higher, the net advance being IA. Atlantic ex-
ports flour included, have been 1891 O9l bushels
551,70S bushels, against 1894, 734 last year and
meanwhile Western receipts for the month have
been 7,747,361 bushels, against 7,OS4,5l3 last
year.
Corn is a cent lower while pork is 75c per barrel
and lard and hogs 15c, per 100 pounds, higher.
The failures this week have been 234 in the
United States against 233 last year, and AZ in
indicates past, rather than recent conditions
OF unSoundneSS.