The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-29
FAVORABLE FEATURES
Far Outweigh the UnfavorabIe Ones
I'm the Trade Situation

NEW YORK, Jan. 28.-Bradstreet' S
tomorrow will say: Favorable condf-
tions in the trade situation continue to
far outweigh those of an opposite char
acter. Stormy weather throughout a
large section Of the country this week
has checked the movement of merchan-
disc, but perceptible increase in the
demand for seasonable goods is report
ed as already resulting. The last week
of the month closes with increased &C
tfvity In many lines, a number of price
advances, heavily increase bank clear
tngs, as compared with one year ago
at nearly all principle cities; another
considerable drop in. the number of
failures reported, large, exports of
cereals, particularly wheat, corn and
-four, and perceptible confidence in
nearly all branches of trade as regards
the outlook for spring business An
other favorable feature of the week is
the slight but distinct Improvement in
the cotton goods situation, in which
speculative activity IS awakening. Print
cloths are higher and some makes Of
gray and medium weight cottons are
more firmly held. ~
Pig iron Is rejecting the effect of
present unprecedented production and
a further weakening in prices is record
ed at Eastern points. At the West
however, consumption of pig and of
the finished products of iron and steel
| is reported increasing so as to hold
prices firm. Large sales of bar steel
and rails are reported at Chicago and
st. Louis, with mills refusing to take
orders for delivery earlier than late
summer.
Boots and shoes hold the late advance
and manufacturers OF heavy weights
will not take orders for fall delivery at
present prices. Wool is strong on large
sales and firm prices abroad. Prices
of most staple products are higher on
the week; noticeable instances are those
of wheat, which is past the dollar
mark again at many Western markets.
The active demand for the Klondike
trade is reflected in canned goods,
stocks Of which are reported very low
prices holding late advances. Collec-
lions are generally reported fair, those
indicating backwarduess coming most
generally from the South.
Cereal exports are again heavy, total
shipments Of wheat, including flour, for
/ the week amounting to 5,110 624 bushels,
/ against 3,926,000 bushels last week, q
! SIS 600 bushels in this week a year ago,
| $3.50. 900 bushels in 1896 and 2,0S3, 900
! bushels in 1894. Corn exports have also
! heavily increased from last week,
amounting to 1885,, coo bushels, against
| 3,4S6,000 bushels last week, 3,011 900
bushels last year, 3.197, 600 bushels in
1898 and $4,000 bushels 1895.
Business failures for the week are the
smallest reported in the fourth week
of January for five years past, num-
bering 2SS, against 3O9 last week, 32f
IN the corresponding. week of last year
393 in 1895, 312 in 1895 and $40 in 1894
OF the failures reported Psi, or 81 per
| cent, were Of concerns having s., 00C
capital or less and 90 per cent in all
| were of concerns having less than $780,
600 capital. Business failures in Can
ada this week number As, against 4G
last week, Sc in the week. year ago
and 63 in the corresponding week of
| 1896. z