Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-10-24
THE STATE OF TRADE.
Bradstreet's.

BrdQStreetfS.
The dominant feature of the general
active demand for wheat. wheat flour,
and, indeed. nearly all our cereal pro-
ducts, and the business reported on this
worthy of rank with the best record in
any. corresponding period. While strait
ened stocks abroad and less satisfactory
advices from other countries, notably
furnished plausible basis for much OF
the recent activity, an additional slim
ulating feature was injected into the sit
pearance of the Franco-British situation,
and the closing days, indeed, witnessed
war rumorS In practical command of the
market, inducing much short covering by
steadfast bears Lest the rather moderate
figures Of current export should prove
disappointing, In view of the heavy en-
gassments reported It might be remark
lily what might be termed forward bust
ness. and. indeed, stocks In this country,
in spite of heavy current deliveries by
shipment even If the ocean freight s.tua-
ton was not a strained one. Quotations
for freight room have, In fact. operated
ness. General distributive trade. partic-
ulary at the north. appears to have suf-
fered from bad weather conditions this
week. which have interered with regular
business and deliveries; but, on the other
hand. has induced considerable buying OF
boots and shoes, rubber goods and heavy
clothing at many markets. The situation
for some time past, this resulting mainly
from the abrogation of many Senseless
quarantine regulations, as result OF the
ward the gulf. Some Important changes
IN the situation of textile goods and par
uculariy COTTON and wool products, APP
pear pear t., to be pending Rather more firm
pie by the talk of frost checking further
growth of the plant in the south. and the
establishment at Fall River Of the long
ing agency for print cloths and similar
goods has stiffened the price of those pro-
ducts quite materially. In wool and
WOODEN rs g te TOO. Signs OF Improvement h,I
slight increase in this seasons wool clip
points to the five years steady decrease
in domestic production have finally Gull
minated, the comparatively small size of
the new clip, with short yields abroad,
reduced invisible supplies in manufacture
ers hands and relatively higher prices
shipments from this country to London,
point to a nearer arrival by the manufac-
turing trade at a point where digestion
may better keep up with the supplies of
fered. A relative scarcity of fine grades.
a result of developing the mutton sheep
at home and abroad TO the practical ex-
clusion Of the merino type. seems likely
to make for strength in this class of wool.
The foreign trade situation Is about as
described last week, except that large
decreases in a few leading exports have
been partly made up by Increased ship
ments of American manufactures and the
nine months figures point to a complete
calendar years business In advance of
all predecessors in volume of export
trade Our import trade begins to show
slight increases over corresponding per-
iods year ago, and the substitution of
dutiable for non-dutiable goods in this
movement points to an easier position In
the customs situation. Prices are quite
strong, notable in this respect being all
the cereals, lard, pork, cotton, print
cloths and raw sugar. Little change is
noted in the iron and steel market which
as for some time past, continues quiet
as regards new business, though the mills
and factories are still actively employed.
Some shading of Bessemer pig iron and
steel btllets is reported, but offSetting this
is the strength of foundry iron, mostly
southern grades. decreased stocks at the
west and continued confidence in future
business. Exports of southern iron con-
tinue in good volume, though high freight
rates are a discoura ging feature. The
general industrial situation continues ia
vorable employment being quite general,
particularly in the west, except in the
glass industry, where shutdown pending
a. wage scale settlement exists. Just what
shape the expected curtailment of print
clothA will take Is not yet settled.
Business failures in the United States
this week number 2l3, 20 less than last
week and comparing with 205 In this
week year ago, 212 in 1899, 259 in 1895.
and 2Zl in 1884.