The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-12-03
BRADsTREET's REVIEW.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2.-Bradstreet's to-mor
row will say:
The business world enters on the closing
month Of the year with so many favorable and
so few depressing features in sight to leave
little doubt that the year 1898 whole must
hereafter furnish the basis for estimate when
comparisons of large business to be made
Nearly all ohtainabe statistics and reports as
to the volume of business point to the present
year having heavily exceeded any former year
in the amount of business done, and though
comparisons as regards prices are not SO ia
vorable as in earlier years, notably 1892 and
1896, when quotations of most staples We're con-
siderably higher, still the expansion in trade
due TO increased population and enlarged for
elgn demand Tor our products. has resulted in
an aggregate volume of business done consid-
erably in excess of any former year.
In the general business world the leading
event of the week has undoubtedly been the
tween 5OU.OOO and 700 900 tons OF steel rails,
more than fourth of the entire country S
tirely satisfactory to the competing rail mills.
are encouraging, because they indicate that no
check caused by combination of interests will
De administered to our growing export trade,
which business, coupled with the possible de-
mand next year for structural steel for build
ing purposes, is likely to play most i'm
portant part in the government of prices of
steel products generally. Nominal prices of
steel rails show little change from those rul-
ing some time ago. but quotations for Besse-
mer iron and steel billets reflect the stimulat-
ing influence of the removal of the uncertainty
rail- business.
Foreign demand for food products has
continued an encouraging feature of the cereal
situton, and wheat prices particularly are a
little lower on the week, notwithstanding very
heavy farmers deliveries and increasing do
nestle stocks. Exports this week are the larg-
est ever reported, rejecting partly materializ-
Ing OF early reported business and rarity in
creased foreign buying at concessions earlier in
the week. Corn and oats appear to have tenn
porarily parted company from wheat and are
higher on the week on improved speculative
ENLARGED he
freight situation is slightly easier and the sup
ply of tonnage shows some enlargement. The
price situation generally is encouraging
one, and advances largely outnumber declines.
The early arrival Of winter weather in the
South has tended to make smaller cotton crop
estimates more popular and enlarged specu-
lative and spot purchases have advanced prices
marked up in some markets, largely owing to
cold weather, but there yet few new de-
velopments in the direction OF control of out
put. Tin and copper are again active specu-
latively,. and tin plates reflect the formal
launching of the new combination in slightly
higher quotations. The boot Ind shoe stua-
ton has been improved by the severe weather
lately experienced, as has the outlook for rub
her goods. Leather is steadier and hides are
higher. an unusual feature at this time OF the
year. The recent advance in raw sugar APP
pears to have eliminated this week. and a
slight reaction is shown on reports that beet
sugar imports from Europe are likely TO heav-
lily increase. Refined is firm. November bust
ness having been very heavy.
The advent of winter weather has tended te
reduce the demand for building lumber, which.
IN some markets, particularly the East. was de-
pressed during the summer because of the in
activity In building. A rather better tone IS
however. now reported and the opening of the
new year is awaited with confidence. Recent
advances in prices in pine and spruce lumber
are we'll maintained, stocks in dealers hands
not at all heavy. and reports both from the
yellow pine and cypress producing sections of
the South and the white pine markets of the
North and Northwest are that heavy output
has been rule satisfactorily handled The
hard wood situation maintains all of the
strength previously noted. The domestic wood
working demand is of good volume, while
port business is steadily increasing and prices.
as whole. are considerably. higher than they
were at the opening of the year.
The general jobbing trade has been rather
smaller than usual at this time of the year.
and severe storms in the East have hurt dstri-
button but the demand fer holiday goods is of
an encouraging volume and promises well.
Business failures of normal volume
bering PIP for the week. against 1872 last week.
$50 in 1897 359 in 1885, 315 in 1895 and 90 in 1894
Wheat including flour, shipments for the
week aggregate Z 4S3 $50 bushels. against 5.S24-
726 bushels last week, 6.499, $50 bushels in the
corresponding week of 1897. 1853, $50 bushels in
1885, 3156,S2s bushels in 1895, and SOL $50 BUSH
els in 1894. Since July this year the exports
of wheat aggregate &c. 1eS, 142 bushels against
f07 92S 539 bushels last