The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-19
October Export Business EX-
ceeds That of Amy
Previous October in the History
of the Country.
FINISHED PRODUCTS
Of American Manufacturers
Make Up Bulk of the Gain.
Even Cotton Joins in the GEN
eral Advance of Prices.

New York, Nov -Bradstreet's says:
Evidence accumulates that the good re-
suits flowing from the recent elections
are no longer confined entirely to i'm
prOvement in tone and confidence,
though the active feeling influences
dealings in both financial and mercan-
tile lines. Several substantial develop
ments present themselves this week no
table among which are a number Of ad-
Vances in prices, exceptionally few de-
clines thereof, growing strength in the
pig iron situation, unprecedentedly
large bank clearings, and remarkable
good reports as to export trade, not
only in the line of foreign products, but
in enlarged trade in manufactured pro-
ducts Distribution of merchandise
shows but little change from recently
preceding weeks, but the growth in
confidence is reflected in very general
reports of improved collections on past
business.
First and foremost in the line of for
eign trade extension are the returns re-
Gently made for October, pointing to
exports for that month larger than i'll
the cores Onding month of any pre-
ceding year, second only to those of De-
cember last year, and chargeab BILE not so
much as formerly to enlarged exports of
farm products but to heavily increased
exports of finished products Of Ameri-
can industry. In this connection espec-
tally good reports come from the iron
and steel industry, which has thereby
been rendered more nearly independent
than ever before, of fluctuations in do
nestle demand.
The strength in values of all cereals,
all the leading breadStuffs are higher
this week, is of course due to the con-
slant foreign demand more than off
setting very large gains in domestic
supplies, which, however, are below any
corresponding period for years past.
Comparison of four months exports,
July to October inclusive, point to
wheat and flour shipments little below
those of last year, and only 10 per cent
below those Of 1891, the heaviest ever
known. The strength of cereals finds
dmitatOrs in coffee. whose statistical pO-
sitiOn shows some Improvement, sugar,
which is relatively higher for refined,
on growing strength of raw supplies;
coffee which retains its old bullish tone,
and even cotton which is higher on
smaller movement, and improving tone
of the goods market. Wool sales con-
tinue of good volume on more confident
buying of small manufacturers, who,
however, report the finished goods trade
unsatisfactory. Heavy sales of bonded
wool for re-expOrt to England are re-
ported this week.
Rather more inquiry is noted for pig
iron, and the tone of prices is strong
in contrast to that of steel which is
being shaded by those eager to book
new business. The steel rail situation
is apparently unchanged and much bus
mess is held up awaiting settlement of
price and other details.
Wheat including flour shipments for
the week aggregate 5,679, al bushels,
against 3674,693 bushels last week, s.
653 1872 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1897. 1897, 233 bushels in 1896,
1916 S38 bushels in 1895, and 3,312,673
bushels in 1894. Since July 1, this year
the exports of wheat aggregate so, 889, 457
bushels against 95,973,426 bushels last
year. Corn exports for the week aggre-
gate 1881, 724 against 2,142.745 bushels
last week, 3, 209. 79O bushels in this week
a year ago. 2.975.721 bushels in 1896, l.
1876 bushels in 1895 and 1S9, 326 bushels
in 1894 Since July 10 this year corn
exports aggregate 56,019,419 bushels
against Sc, SIC, 440 bushels during the
same period a, year ago.
business failures in the United States
this week, number 229 as against 1877
last week, 235 in this week a year ago,
3O8 in 1896, 323 in 1895 and 275 in 1894
The total number of failures in the Do
minion of Canada this week is "a as
against 80 in the preceding week, 81 in
1897, AZ in 1896, AZ in 1895, and % in