The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-24
A BETTER WEEK IN TRADE.

ASH week showed considerable improvement III
trade over its predecessor. Some lines, hitherto
l. dull and unsatisfactory exhibited more life, and
the tendency in prices seemed to be upward again
The leading feature of the week the rise in wheat
under an enormous export demand for Europe,
though the shipments less than those during the
same week last year by almost 100000 bushels The
demand last year, however was unprecedented
Another gratifying feature last week was the
scramble among European fnancierS to provide gold
for America to pay for our heavy shipments OF gram
and merchandise to Great Britain and the Continent
This tended to still further ease the money market
and restore confidence which, however, needed very
little restoration, having been shaken to any
marked degree In international commerce the
United States has had the whip hand for year or
more and is such creditor of Europe that bids fair
to hold it for some time to come.
Still another good feature the improvement in
several staples which have recently been distin-
guished by abnormal depression. Thus wool, which
has been in the slough of despond for months showed
indications of doing better, the transactions being
larger than for time, though prices showed no
gain In fact the Boston sales, which were free were
made at slight concessions The WOODEN trade also
reported more liberal sales, with extensive inquiry
manufacturers hope that this improvement is the
beginning of the long deferred demand, though the
call at present is for lowpriced goods Cotton, too,
seems to be on the point of revival The spinners
have agreed upon a selling agency, which has hung
fire for some time, and also upon curtaed produc
tion and in consequence there is better demand for
goods with fair prospects for increase in the fu
ture
But it is in cereals that the improvement in trade is
most pronounced. The advance in wheat was purely
legitimate, being based upon actual European de-
mand, and wholly free from manipulation Corn,
too participated in the improved inquiry, and ad-
ct;
being 26344oo bushels against o52,4oo for the same
week last year Indications of a Franco British war,
though vague have served to increase this legitimate
demand for cereals, and it fine week in grain
all around
Against these gratifying conditions, however were
a halt in the iron trade and relapse in Wall street
where profound depression settled down The pub
lie again deserted the street, leaving the market
wholly in the hands of the professionals, and on at
least two days the sales the Exchange fell to less
than 10000 shares The causes of this depression
were the uncertainty regarding the election and APP
prehensions regarding the Fashoda affair, which at
the moment hangs like cloud international
finance and tends to financial caution all Europe
London got pessimistic it and did realizing
in Wall street In spite of these unfavorable condi-
tons however, the public hung to their securities
and prices did not decline except III very few in
stances The undercurrent of the market strong
holders basing their confidence on the ease OF the
money market the large earnings Of railroads and the
heavy exports of cereals already mentioned strong
feature the situation the utter indifference OF
the street the recent rise in discounts and bank
rates in England and on the Continent.
Here in California conditions steady and some
changes were apparent First, there the rise in
wheat which led to lively chartering of ships for
port, advanced tonnage rates materially and gave
brighter aspect to the whole grain trade. The dried
fruit market, too, which has been very dull for
era weeks showed signs of emerging from its apathy
and the Eastern markets came through stronger
owing to the cooler weather there, and several de-
scrptions advanced. The rise has yet reached
this market however though it probably will before
long at the present rate of progression The course
of this market this fall has puzzled the Oldest heads
in the business. With remarkably short fruit crops
all over the world should have had lively mar
ket, whereas we have had dull and weak one. No
body in the trade has yet explained why this is for
the very good reason that the trade are all at sea-
1t was good week, too, for the vineyardists The
price of grapes increased so per cent, and the de
shorter than expected, and the wine makers find
that if they want to make wine this year they will
have to pay up for the grapes. Stock-rasers also
found good market for their cattle and sheep and
the price of hogs advanced at the close
Altogether it was the best week in general trade
that the country has enjoyed for some little time
@zz@.@@
y Harold Frederic's death is ascrbed to Christian
science but even those who bring the charge will ad
nit that heart disease has been known to be fatal