The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-05-01
THE STATE OF TRADE.

dicntc6 by Il. G. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Re
Failures for the Week
Etc.
New YORK, April 24.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade says:
If either Turkey or Greece had been
wholly buried in the sea, markets
might have been affected less than by
the outbreak of war in Europe. Like
fire in the heart of a crowded city il
raised the question whethe: a general
conflagration may spring out of it
To this possibility and not to the direct
influence of either Turkey or
Greece upon the worlds money
or produce markets was due the
excitement in grain and stocks.
As the unknown is magnitied, Ameri-
can markets We're much more flighty
than European, where the possibilities
have been discussed and partly dis
counted for months. But the uncer-
tainty remains and will affect the
movement of money and staples until
it disappears, creating a larger demand
for American products at higher
prices, causing hasty speculative selling
Of securities at times. but also more
continuous buying by foreign investors
and not improbably influencing the
attitude of foreign powers on questions
important to this country.
Wheat rose six cents from Thursday
to Monday, and has retained most of
the rise. Since Russia and the Danu-
bian states will be likely to ship wheat
scantily, especial needs and much
higher prices being possible there. a
larger share of the requirements of
western Europe may naturally be
drawn from this country, and the
chance of a war between the great
powers has the more influence, be-
cause supplies there are not large.
While western receipts do not yet in
crease, and in three weeks nave been
but 5.6+1, 001, against ), 933, 1919 last year,
Atlantic exports begin to gain slightly,
amounting to 1.19O. 500 bushels, -four
included, against LOSS, 764 last year,
and for three weeks have been $685.
40 bushels, against 3. 453. O79 last year.
But the great increase is in corn, on
which the price has scarcely advanced.
though Atlantic exports were 4, IS9, 146
bushels, against 1924, 733 last year.
Already the exports for the crop year
have been So 900. 900 bushels larger
than Atlantic exports of wheat and
flour, and may soon exceed the total
exports of wheat and flour from both
coasts.
Cotton has been affected scarcely at
all, though government estimates that
the flood districts yielded nearly 800
900 bales, for increased acreage in other
sections is generally reported.
The past week. like others of late,
has witnessed the starting of opera
tions by several iron works. especially
in black sheets for timing, and yet
prices of iron and unfinished products
are lower, demand not yet equalling
the supply. Bessemer pig has sold as
low as $40 at Pittsburgh and gray
forge at $3.50 in Birmingham. Steel
billets fell to S1425 at Pittsburgh and
angles to 1 cent, but wire rods cannot
be supplied fast enough at S2I.75.
Nails are strong, and a few more
structural orders are pending. East
ern works also have orders for 10, 900
tons of steel rails.
Complaint and proof that the de-
mand for the products is deficient,
blinds many to the fact that the actual
work in progress, largely the heavy
orders for beams. billets, rails and
sheet bars taken when the pools broke
up, is of greater volume than for a long
time.
Large sales of copper are reported, at
liz cents, with production 11.Sa
ions in March. The end of stipulated
curtailment has been reached by some
cotton mills, and nearly by all, and
since the auction sales some BILE ached
goods have been slightly advanced, but
actual buying does not increase and
print cloths do not improve.
Sales of wool have been largely OF
foreign, reports being swelied by ar
rivals of quantities sold some time age
and imports at Boston for the week
were 81, 900 bales. For the three chief
cities sales were 34.O36, 500 pounds in
three weeks, 2O.271, 800 being foreign,
against Is, 9O6, 100 in 1892, including
1854, 900 foreign. But manufacturers
are doing scarcely anything, and or
ders for goods improve very little,
though for somewhat better grades.
Failures for the week have been 21s
in the United States. against 23s last
year, and 81 in Canada, against A last
war;