The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-10
NOT A RIPPLE.
Was Caused In the Business
World Says Dun
By the Message or the Assem-
bling of Congress.
DEFENDERS START
Indicates a Volume Of Trade
Larger Than Last Month
Which Was the Greatest Ever
Known in the Country.

New York Dec. 1O-R G. Dun & Cos
Weekly Review Of trade says:
The most significant business feature
this week has been the entire absence
of the customary nervous fright before
or after the meeting of congress, the
presidents message and the treasurer 5
report. No one showed the least alarm
and nobody could find occasion for any
Money and stock and grain markets
moved on exactly as if the government
were automatic, certain to do or say no
more than the people had already de-
cided and expected, and so the gradual
betterment since October continues.
There is a larger demand for products
in nearly all the great Industries, larger
export demand for foreign needs. a
more healthy domestic demand since
seasOnable weather arrived and COM
forting conviction that November bus
mess, the biggest ever done In this
country in any month, was but a step
toward something better.
Exports last year in December were
marvellous but this year are starting
far ahead. The Atlantic wheat exports.
flour included have been for the week,
year, and Pacific exports 556,523 bush
els against 973, OS3 last year, and prices
have declined 23z cents for cash but
western receipts of 10, 1876, 169 bushels
against 6,213,471 from last years great
crop stops argument. The wheat does
not come out at low prices if the people
have less to sell than last year at 20
cents more per bushel. So the corn ex-
ports were 4.151 ,9S1 against 3,313. 0S6 last
year and such a foreign demand at pri-
ceS much higher than last year and
with wheat cheaper is proof OF state
of things abroad, which Americans
hardly appreciate. The price declined
only &c with enormous receipts.
Cotton shared in the export move
ment fully and nevertheless has risen
three-sixteenths in price, with a feeling
that estimates Of yield may have been
excessive. At the extremely low price
yet quoted, foreign buyers do not stop
70 ~ a fa
on hand. The consumption in this coun-
try is not very large being but little
changed by troubles about wages at
the south though by more voluntary
cIrtailment in New England but the
demand for goods is better and has lift
ed the price of print cloths an elgnIn,
and some of the other goods shade
Wooden goods have been in much bet
ter demand and many Of the smaller
mills have been buying afterconcessIoIlB
secured by the larger. The much broad
er market is more healthy and promises
far more for the industry and sales Of
1O,655, 200 pounds in two weeks past at
the three chief markets against 10.S52,-
zoo pounds in the same weeks Of 1897,
are quite in line with demand IN pros
perous years. Prices yielded about half
a cent in November according to one
hundred quotations by Coates Bros,
and from Philadelphia dispatches ap-
pear to be about a cent lower this
week.
The rupture of the Inchoate rail COM
D1naClOn II appears LGSUAAEa III ADstTA
prices and larger sales in the first week
of sharp competition than were re-
allied a week ago. Prices were made
in some transactions much lower than
were then or are now quoted and while
81 at Pittsburg is now named, small
orders are said to command lower hg-
ures. The purchase of 10000 tons
Bessenner pig at SO at Valley furnaces
and 100000 tons bilIets Cor Pittsburg
works at $3.50, Of which 10000 tons
went to a hoop mill with 1000 tons
rods at Chicago S22, and $4,000 tons
plates for one concern at Pittsburg, be
sides enormous orders for bars and
plates in car and ship bui1ding.a steam
ship contract on the Delaware and
contract for 5000 tons for bridges at
Chicago, give some idea. of the heavy
business coming forward just when the
works usually expect a season Of Idle
ness and waiting. Pig iron has risen
at the east to $11.5O and quotations
average for pig throughout the country
a shade higher than at any time thf
year, though prices for finished pro
ducts have recently been declining ana
are lower than in the early months OF
the year.