The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-20
BRADSTREETS VIEWS BRIGHT.
CONFIDENCE or GOOD FALL TRADE
IN MERCANTILE CIRCLES.

FIattering Crop Reports and Return
of Peace Cause the Better Feeling.
steady Expansion In Bank Clear
fnss-ImproVed Demand For Iron
and steel ut BETTER Prices-Activ-
ity in DistributiVe Trade I'm south
and WeSt-AdVances in Bessemer
and Southern Pis Iron Features.
Large Supplies of Raw Cotton
Causes the Price to Drop "a Fruc-
ton.
New York Aug. 19.-Bradstreets to-
morrow viii say:
Perhaps the most Interesting feature OF
Inc general business situation at present
is the air of confidence with which the
mercantile community awaits the ap-
proach of the fall trade period While
Of course, based in some degree upon fav-
orable results already achieved in many
lines, it is unquestionably true that the
tattering crop outlook at home and the
return of peace, with the expectation Ct
benefits to our export trade naturally ex-
pected TO accrue therefrom. make for
much of the feeling thus expressed.
as found in the steady expansion now GO
ing on in bank clearings, the improving
demand a higher prices for most makes
of iron and steel, the generally favorable
railway earnings, which, in default of a
large movement of crops to market, point
to large return trade in manufactured
goods to the agricultural sections. and the
Oh a,
tive trade West and South with signs
of moderate increase in interest at lead
ing Eastern markets. which hitherto have
not shared largely in the trade improve
ment.
THE immense business doing in iron and
steel products at advanced prices calls at
tention TO the proportionately less nota-
bic expansion of crude iron production.
Pig iron statistics in fact point TO an
even smaller output for the current
month, some of which curtailment, of
course, is naturally based on midsummer
conditions.
Advances in many grades of iron, not
ably Bessemer ana Southern pig are feat
ures of the week.
tie change. The balance established be-
tween phenomenaIly reduced visible sup
plies active milling demand at home, and
fair export inquiry on the one hand, and
the very promising crop outlook on the
other, tends to steadiness IN prices, and
other cereals sympa thize with wheat.
Large supplies of raw cotton at home
nd all nd no ,e
this year nearly equal to. If not exceed
ing, that grown a year ago while natu-
rally stimulating TO business at the South,
has a depressing effect upon the price
of the raw staple, and quotations are a
fraction lower for the week and 2 cents a
pound lower than a year ago at this time.
Reports as to collections the country
over are very encouraging. From winter
wheat sections especially reports are very
good. Some slowness is noticed in pay
ment in the Northwest, but this is ex-
pected to disappear when the spring wheat
crop moves.
Business failures are larger in num-
Der than last week aggregating 1856 against
TT last week. but compared with 221 in
this week a year ago, 264 in 1896; 1872 in
1895, and 251 in 1894.
Buyers are appearing In increasing
numbers at leading Western markets.
bad roads still restrict business at
New Orleans. but a large fall business
is expected.
"At Memphis the outlook is for the
heaviest business in the history of The
city, but damage by cotton worms in
Texas affects trade at Galveston.
I'm the South Atlantic cities reports
are of perceptible Improvement in trade.
ION the Pacific coast, while business is
quiet in California, large crops in Oregon
and Washington are expected 10 make fall
trade lively.
"At the East more is doing at Balti-
more. Southern buyers are increasing in
number and stocks are reported heavily
reduced.
Business is active at Pittsburg. iron
and steel being especially so. At Boston
and New York moderate improvement is
noted.
"The depressed condition of the raw sta
Pile tends to discourage future business
in cotton goods, but print cloths are firm,
and there is less talk Of curtailing pro-
ductlon at Fail River. In wool the wool
en- goods business is only moderate and
manufacturers buy for present require
ments.
Wheat and corn shipments are smaller
than those of last week, but are still
ahead of last season. Wheat shipments
for the week, including -four. aggregate
1876, 1888 bushels, as against S,S28, sos BUSH
with 53l6,S03 bushels In this week last
year"
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