The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-24
WEEKLY REVIEW OF TRADE.

New York, Dec. 23.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: Current business
conditions furnish some sharp con-
trasts to those usually looked for nj
reported at this season of he year. IT
is. OF course reasonable to look for ex-
ceptional activity in holiday and retail
trade generally at this date. and In this
respect the m sanguine expectations
appear to have been realized. Prob
ably never before. at his date. was the
course of general business so
as IL is at present. Speculative activity
Is no longer confined to the stock mar
ket, but has widened to include wheat
and corn among the cereals and copper
among the metals. while the rush OF
business in iron and steel seems little
IL any abated, and some lines. notably
cotton goods and raw wool, are dis
playing an activity n strength which
would have been welcomed at any time
for a year past. Prices of securities
and of staples alike furnish examples
OF aggressive strength which are 80
numerous as to deserve special men,
ton. In the iron trade no signs of flag
ging interest are to be discerned, but
ather more pronounced activity in new
directions.
The feature of the week has undoubt-
eddy been the reported placing of an
" oVHVVt otAo VI - ast ~
an Eastern rail mill to go to Siberia.
All the strength of prices is maintained
and in some lines, notably billets. wire
rods. plates and bars, further advances
are to be reported. In many lines the
country's productions seems TO be
heavily sold ahead and the utmost con-
fidence IL expressed as to present
values being maintained or still fur
Their increased. In other metals, too, a
sympathetic rise IL to be d~iscerned.
N foreign demand for cereals con-
tinues undated. and slight reaction In
price being X advantage OF by for
eign buyers.
Wheat closes the week with quota
tions well up to the highest paid this
autumn, and short sellers OF December
delivery are reaping the benefit OF in
discreet speculation. The strength of
wheat has been enhanced by sympathy
with the growing speculative interest
in corn, for which the highest price
paid for three years past has been re-
corded. Speculation in copper n sop
per stocks has received an impetus this
week, from rumor of a combination to
control the American production.
Strength and firmness Is also a feature
of the lumber market, with the pos
| sible exception of yellow pine. where
| keen competition tends to check the
advancing tendency by other woods.
In other lines of general trade and In
dustry reports are as a rule favoraDle.
Wheat shipments for the week. includ-
ing -four. aggregate 5.515,231 bushels,
against 6,243, $50 bushels last week. re-
vised to include Portland. Me-; 4,151,550
bushels in the corresponding week of
1897: 2.111. 702 bushels in 1896: 3,457.9sl
bushels in 1895. and 1.sli,054 bushels in
1894. Since July 1. this ear, the ex-
ports of wheat aggregate 1l5. 1885, $40,
against 1923, 566. 647 bushels last year.
Business failures for the week num-
Der 2l2. against PA last week. $50 in
this week a year ago, 321 In 1896 and
3l6 in 1895. Business failures in Canada
number "a. as against 80 last week and
80 in this week a year ago.