The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-04-08
TRADE REVIEW.
Sales Scarce and Unesrtain--whsat Has
Fallen Away.

The markets are still waiting. some sag
ging downward and others recovering. The
vote of the House in favor OF q new tariff
bill has made no impression on business,
since II has been expected since November
that some measure OF the same general char
acter would become a law. II the bill stands
with its provisions making new duties ap-
plicable April /, chances are that foreign
imports and treasury receipts may be for q
time considerably restricted.
The market for products has been variable
and uncertain. Wheat closes u cent lower
than last week, and the May option has de-
cliDed 2 cents. and western receipts for the
week have been .. 7Sl. 557 bushels, against
1881 205 last year, while atlantic exports,
our included. have been =, 1855. 27S bushels,
against $500 last year. The movement
OF corn continues so large as to materially
affect the demand for wheat. western re-
ceipts having been 1913, 500 bushels for
the week. against 1910, 045 last year, and
Atlantic exports, 1921 ,629 against l,065. 396
last year.
Current trade estimates regarding the
wheat crop are a little more favorable. and
are somewhat more likely to prove reliable,
as the advance Of the season makes the con-
dition Of growing wheat better known. Cot
ton has not changed in price, although the
floods in the South west have doubtless done
much harm.
The cotton and other textile manufacturers
are slowly gaining in business, though print
cloths and most staple cottons remain
unchanged In price, and restriction Of output
seems to have given some relief TO the mar
ket. The buying OF wool by mills is still a
noteworthy feature being far in excess of
current consumption, but there is a much
greater volume Of transactions between deal
ers and at the three chief markets the sales
OF five weeks have been GO. 725. 200 pounds,
against 25,377,67 In the same weeks Of 1882,
when the mills were well employed. Prices
are very strong, both here and at London,
where the advance since the sale began Is
from 10 to 20 per cent. but there are feverish
irregularities, indicating that holders are not
all OF one mind, and some remember that
many OF the large mills have taken stocks
for a full years consumption.
The iron md steel industry has been stag
gered, SO to speak, by the decision of the su-
preme court affecting railroads, since 1t is
apprehended that purchases not only OF
rails, but OF cars, locomotives and bridge
materials, may be affected. The demand for
rails is still considerable, and one order is
pending for 10, 900 tons Tor Japan. bat the
reduction in Mcsaba ore, with the want OF
agreement as yet among producers of hard
ores, tends to encourage the belief In lower
prices for finished products. and so to hinder
buying. The great struggle between the ore
producing companies OF Mesaba has not yet
go far developed that anybody can feel con-
fident as to the future cost Of iron. Mean
while with pig accommodating, although some
furnaces have stopped production. the price
of Bessemer at Pittsburg is a shade lower at
$40 Is, and grey forge at 80, but there are
q~uotable changes In prices Of finished PRO-
ducts, although the tone is rather weak. The
new combination in cut nails only affects
selling prices in eastern markets.