The record-union., 1898-02-26
Notwithstanding Foreign Possibilities Have
Caused Hesitation.
More Works Are Being Added to
the Active List, With a Decrease
in the Hands on Strike, and Re-
newed Evidence That the VAL
ume of Business is Larger Than
in February of Any Previous
Year.

NEW YORK, Feb. pr. G. Dun &
Co. s Weekly Review of Trade" will
say tomorrow:
Foreign possibilities have much af-
fected speculation, and caused hesdta-
tion in some large business operations,
possibly accounting in part for a check
in the rapid advance of wheat, but IN
dustrial production continues larger
than ever, a few more works being
added to the active list With decrease
in the number of hands on strike and
renewed evidence that the volume OF
business is larger than in February
of any previous year. Nor is there
any symptom of senseless craze based
on rising prices. The legitimate eX-
port and domestic demand presses
closer to the capacity of works. and
though there is no fiighty advance in
any line, and in all narroWness of
profit is a matter of complaint, new
business for this dull season is unpre-
cedented.
Wheat continued its progress upward
until 81 0S34 was reached on Monday,
but declined 3Hc later, as if there We're
fears that Spain would somehow stop
British vessels from taking wheat
across the water. Any yielding based
on foreign possibilities deserves little
notice, but the price has advanced
about hc since Chicago spectators last
took occasion to shake off weak follow
ers, and the opportunity for reaction
was. inviting.
There is no abating of foreign de-
mand Atlantic exports were ,96S. S14
IL
against 1876. 444 last year, and Pa
cific exports 1,516,316 against 1876, 464
last year, and in view of current eX-
citement these figures are more impor-
tant than the aggregate for four weeks
10,496.912 bushels, against 6.oSS, 4la
last year from Atlantic ports, and f.
0s3 OPS against 1,611 246 from Pacific
ports.
Corn exports for the week were 14.5
per cent. less than last year. but the
cash price declined but slightly. The
spot price of cotton was not affected.
1t is not the season for much i'm
provement in textile manufacture, but
the cotton branch has gained by the
closing of the strike in one Fall River
mill, and by the addition Of some works
at the South.
The wooden manufacturer meets
many cancellations, especially in goods
sold early without definite price, but
is doing more than ever at this season,
though new business in the higher
grades of worsted and woolens is not
particularly encouraging. Sales Of
wool are slow. with weakness in cloth
ing. amounting to about cents de-
cline from the highest point, indlcat-
ing that mills have at present album
dant stocks, but some are selling for
eign wool in order to take supplies of
old qualities. In goods of medium
and low grades the demand continues
large.
The silk manufacturer shows a re-
months, having imported raw material,
far in excess of consumption in any
previous year, and at a rate 100 per
cent above the imports in the last Gen.
sus year.
The iron manufacturer has more de-
mand for products and slightly better
prices for bessemer pig, which has ad-
vanced to SO 40 at Pittsburg. with
grey forge unchanged there; local coke
strong at Chicago, in spite of some
Southern weakness, and Eastern an
fhracite really unchanged, though quo
tations are a shade lower No finished
products have changed in price. and all
are strong in demand, excepting bar.
which a combination has failed to adj
vance Some large contracts are re-
ported especially in car and bridge
building. ship nd structural work and
the demand for sheets is heavy. Minor
metals change but little, tin weakening
a shade to lac with large receipts
Failures for the week have been 233
in the United States. against 296 last
year, and thirty in Canada aginst fifty
lst year.
NEW YORK. Feb. 25.-Bradstreet' S
tomorrow Will say:
while business Of a speculative ma
ture has been quick to reflect the in
creasing strain in political affairs in
reduced values and Withdrawals or cur
t;ailment of activity in some lines. there
is little to Indicate that the volume OF
siistributive trade has been reduced
and reports to Bradstreet's this week
so far as the latter branch of business
is concerned are among the best re-
ceived this year With few important
exceptions the price situation is one OF
strength, while the enlarged demand
for coarse grains is taken TO reflect the
turning Of attention from high-priced