The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-26
A STEADY IMPROVEMENT
TIL TIDE OF business Has AGAIN
BEGUN TO RISE.
The Removal OF Uncertainty Will Bring
Into Operation Hitherto Restricted
Buying Forces.

NEW YORK, June 25.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review Of Trade tomorrow
will say: There is no step backward In
business, although the season or mid
summe- quiet is near. Improvement con-
tinues gradual and prudently cautious as
before. although in many branches evil
dent, where no signs OF 1t appeared n few
weeks ago. Business men of the highest
standing in all parts of the county, hav-
ing gradually perceived that the tide has
begun to rise, are regulating their con-
tracts and investmu Is and their plans for
the future, with a confidence quite I'M
known TO them a short time ago.
Great changes before the Adjournment
OF Congress are hardly TO be expected
but removal of uncertainty Is with red-
son expected to b..ng into operation DuS-
ing forces which have been restricted LOT
months.
CROP PROSPECTS BRIGHT.
The main factor at this time Is tue
steadily Frightening prospect for crops.
Harvesting OF wheat has already begun III
some winter wheat States with surPIis-
ingly good results In the central regloa
and California. 40 that eight nuhuieu
thousand tons is now called the minimum
from the latter State, and statlstlclahs
OF repute calculate on sixty million push
els winter wheat beyond the government
estimate. Spring wheat Is doing remark
bly, well with a practically N
crease OF acreage. The price has ad-
vanc.d one-half cent during the week,
with a decrease Of 1,3D,OOc bushels III
Western receipts and Atlantic exports OF
ONLY l.4i5.9T bushels flour included against
1.713.96 last year. but II is Just the season
when figures have no value except az
proving how erroneous were stimates OF
the crop OF 1896. Cotton was lifted an
eighth. without reason, and mas faiIeh
back "a much. because everything points
TO a larger crop than has been commonly
expected.
Iron and steel products average a stnan
fraction lower in published puotdliohs'
but only because private CONCESSIONS
which are now refused. were by various
authorities complacently concealed wv
weeks ago. Pig iron Is flrmer, WIN d
better demand at the East ana al mi
cago. but the impotence or Naliev lur-
naces TO resume work keeps Bessemer
and gray forge at last weeks quotations
NJ Pittsburg. The best Of the news IS
material increase I'm orders for plates, IN
part FOR s~hip-building. In bars for asrl,
cultural implement works in structural
shapes for buildings and bridges, ana III
galvanized sheets. One heavy contract
for 300 miles 2O-inch and 100 1o-inch pipe
sought by the Australian Government Tor
gold regions excited many hopes in the
trade.
The great ore-producing companies are
cutting prices Of Mesabi Bessemer Fayai
to g.. 10. apparently I'm order 10 score the
biggest possible business OF the year as a
basis for future combination
TIN ADVANCING.
Tin has slowly advanced 10 ~ cents. IN
spite Of heavy arrivals: 200 tons Of lead
have been sold. moderate quantities now
bringing S3.i2i6. and purchases advance
lake copper 10 11iS cents.
There is encoura ging Increase in the
demand for all textile goods. even for cot
tons. which have so long been slow. ana
though IL Is but moderate. there Is noth-
ing Of n speculative character IN the
transactions. and prices are firmly held.
Recorders for woollens have been rather
better than We're expected from clothlers.
and fairly good for dress goods. opera
fions I'm spring goods are still deferred.
While mills are somewhat better employ
81. and are buvlng 10 some extent, most
Of the purchases OF wool are FOR specula-
ton. nearly f~hree-Quarters being ~ Dos
ton alone and tho aggreDate was : IftNp
mounds ~ the three chief markets 5.6lo.-
goo off foreign wool. Domestic wool IS
EN- held at relatively high prices at the
Woef.
Failures fo~ the week have been "'b
In tho United states. AGAINST 217 last wear,
and 81 I'm Canada. against - last year.