The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-26
VOLUME OF BUSINESS
IS STILL INCREASING
Foreign Possibilities, However, Have
Placed IA Check ON Speculation.
No Abatement in Foreign Demand
for Wheat


New York, Feb. 25.-R. G. Dun C
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade will say
tomorrow:
Foreign possibilities have much af-
fected speculation and caused hesita-
ton in some large business operations,
possibly accounting in part for check
in the rapid advance of wheat, but in
dustrial production continues larger
than ever, a few more words being
added to the active list with q decrease
in the number of hands on strike, and
renewed evidence that the volume of
business is larger than in February of
any previous year. Nor is there any
symptom of a senseless craze based on
rising prices. The legitimate export
and domestic demand presses closer to
the capacity of works, and though
there is no flighty advance in any line,
and in all narrowness of profit is
matter Of complaint, new business for
this dull season is unprecedented.
Wheat continues it's progress upward
until 1875 was reached on Monday,
but declined sac. later, as if there were
fear that Spain would somehow stop
British vessels from taking wheat
across the water. Any yielding based
on foreign possibilities deserved little
notice, but the price has advanced
about 10c. since Chicago spectators
last took occasion to shake off wheat
followers and the opportunity for re-
action was inviting. There Is no abate-
ment of foreign demand. Atlantic ex-
ports were 1,963,Sl4 bushels, flour in
cluded as wheat, for the week, against
l 1926, ,444 last year, and Pacific exports
1,576376, against 1876, AGA last year, and
in view of current excitement these
figures are more important than the
aggregate for four weeks 10,496, 912
bushels, against 6,5SS, AIS last year from
Atlantic ports, and 4,053,02S against l.
Gil, 246 from Pacific ports. Corn ex-
ports for the week We're 14.5 per cent.
less than last year but the cash price
declined but slightly. The spot price
| of cotton was not affected.
1t is not the season for much i'm
provemnt in textile manufacture, but
the cotton branch has gained by the
| closing of the strike in one Fall River
| mill and by addition of some works at
! the south. The wooden manufacture
meets many cancellations, especially
| in goods sold early without definite
| price, but is doing more than ever at
! this season, though new business in
| the higher grades or worsteds and
woolens is not particularly encourag-
ing. Sales OF wool are slow, with
| weakness in clothing, amounting to
| about two cents decline from the high
| est point. indicating that mills have
at present abundant stocks, but some
are selling foreign wool in order to
take supplies or other qualities.
In iron manufacture has more de-
mand for products and slightly better
prices for Bessemer pig, which has
! advanced to 5000 at Pittsburg, with
Grey Forge unchanged there, local
coke strong at Chicago in spite of
some southern weakness, and eastern
! anthracite really unchanged, though
| quotations are a shade lower. No
finished products have changed in
price, and all are strong in demand,
excepting bar, which a combination
has failed to advance. Some large
contracts are reported, especially in
car and bridge building ship and
structural work, and the demand for
sheets is heavy. Minor metals change
but little, tin weakening a shade to
| lAc. with larger receipts.
Failures for the week have been
235 in the United States against 296 last
year and 80 in Canada against so last
year. ,