The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-30
Unprecedented.
Exports of Wheat For the Past
Thirteen Weeks
Are the Largest Ever known,
Reaching 100000 Blu.
YET BUSINESS DRAGS
Influenced BY Yellow Fever and
Unreasonable Weather.
Cotton Nearly Touched the Low
est Recorded Price.

New York, Oct. 3O.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
weekly review of trade says:
The testing of retail trade is in prog
ress, but results are remarkably retarded
by long continued mild weather and also
by the fever in southern districts Even
from that quarter some large orders late
~ show more distribution than was ex-
pected. In spite of warm weather, which
greatly hinders retail dealings in winter
goods at all points east of the plains
the large sum of supplementary orders
with urgent pressure for quick delivery
make it clear that sales in many branches
have exceeded the expectations of deal
ers. so that replenishment of stocks is
not yet finished. Meanwhile, wholesale
trade and orders to manufacturers have
been smaller than when the run was
greatest, but have nevertheless been large
for this stage, even in a year of general
prosperity, for the payments through the
principal clearing houses for the week
have been 3.9 per cent larger than in the
same week of 1896. and for the month 6.1
per cent.
Heavy engagements for wheat, cover
ing 100000 bushels this week, affect
monetary prospects, but still more the
produce markets, for the Atlantic exports
are large. already g. S64, 649 bushels (four
included), against 2,344,844 for the week
last year. and in four weeks Is, 904. 557
bushels. against 9.S17.O5S last year.
Western receipts are not quite equal to
last years for the week, but have been
q, 1853, 2Ss bushels for the week, against
%, 756, 644 bushels last year.
The market advanced 215c, with No.
red actually selling at 81 here, while spec
ulation at st. Louis is pushing prices yet
higher. The possibility that foreign ex-
ports may be checked is not to be over
looked, but the heavy engagements be-
that foreign needs are real and large. The
corn movement was smaller though ex-
ports fell only 100000 bushels below last
year, and the price advanced but slightly.
The fall of cotton to &c for spot and
5.S8c for January, making the price the
lowest since March IA, 1895, is partly due
to embarrassments caused by the fever,
but also indicates the prevailing belief
that the quantity to come forward is
large. For two months more cotton has
come into sight than from the greatest
crop ever grown, in spite of the delays
caused by guarantees, although the IN
favorable conditions about the time of
maturity rendered it less likely than
uaI that the crop viii be satisfactory, so
that the receipts may drop off earlier than
usual. On the other hand, it is to be
noted that extensive labor troubles
threaten the manufacturers in England,
while the lowest price ever known here
for print cloths reflects a heavy accumu-
lated stock of other goods as well. The
increase in production by the mills has
been over 40 per cent in ten years, far be-
yond the increase in population, and they
consumed almost as much cotton, in the
last crop year, with materially diminished
demand for goods, in the most pros
porous year heretofore.
Wool markets have become quiet. In
stead of Is, 00O,O00 pounds reported sold in
Boston in the last week of September, g.
200, 900 the next week, $500, 900 the second
week of October and 100000 the third
week, sales have been but 2, 10000 pounds,
and at three chief markets 5,231, 30 pounds,
making the aggregate for the month 34,-
1874, 900 pounds, against over $4,000, 600 pounds
in September. Prices are said to be well
maintained, but occasional heavy sales in
dictate concessions for liquidation of spec
ulative lots. The market for goods is
not active, as prices have been so far
advanced as to hinder buying, in many
cases Intentionally, until the future is
more clear, and the mills have ahead
quite as large contracts as they just now
desire.
The buying of iron and steel products,
though smaller of late. continues to keep
works well engaged ahead and induces
| others to resume operations.
Failures for the week have been PIG in
the United States against 270 last year,
and % in Canada against 20 last year.
BRADSTREETS
Bradstreet's says:
General trade retains most of the fea-
lures of a week ago. with continued
| check to the movement of staple merchan-
disc At the larger eastern and central
western centers, sales of seasonable goods
! have not equalled expectations, and at
none of these points has the volume of
| business increased. At Chicago, st. Louis,
| Baltimore, New York and Providence
there has been a decrease in the volume
| of business in some lines, due in part to
unreasonable weather and in some in
] stances to the continued quarantine of
| yellow fever districts. Some jobbers at