The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-05
THE OUTLOOK
M FOR BUSINESS.
An Unprecedented Volume of Business
Predicted.
VERY FEW DECREASES IN PRICES
Sugar the Most Important-Cerca'
Products Highcr-AIsO Some Varie-
ties of Provisions, Iron and Cot
ton.-Spring Trade Good.
NEW YORK. March 4.--Bradstreet's

NEW YORK, March 3.--Bradstreet s
tomorrow will say:
Nearly all signs point TO an uaprece-
dented volume Of business being done or
arranging for at the present time. The
aggressi,eness OF prices. record breaking
bank clearings. and continued large eX-
ports. particularly lower priced ceareals'
"A very heavy volume OF business In iron
and steel. and kindred lines and generally
satisfactory reports as to the volume Of
trade at leading distributive centres are
among the visible features OF trade de-
yelopment.
Nearly al Of the country's cereal pro-
ducts are higher i'm prices this week, as
also some varieties of provisions, Bca-
semor pig iron. copper. raw cotton and
tin.
The further advance IN pig iron this
week would seem to indicate THAI Inc
immense current production is as yet
without visible erect on values. Inc
price of copper showed an advance OF
near one cent per pound during Fep-
ruary. while the consumptive demand and
statistical position are such as 10 lead
To confidence at least in the maintenance
OF present prices. II not 90 a further
advance.
FEW DECREASES.
Few decreases i'm prices are noted SUI
gar being the most important, While the
list of staples. steady and unchanged
numbess pork. coffee. lead and punt
cloths The strength of raw cotton mas
had an encouraging effect upon southern
trade. which IS generally reported gooo
and better than usual at this season.
is an additional favorable feature while
the practical agreement OF southern iron
producers as To prices, with generally
satisfactory collections at most points
has impaired decidedly cheerful tone
To advices from that section.
Trade is larger than usual at the central
west. particularly I'm dry goods. groce-
ries boots and shoes hardware. lumber
and agriculture implements. the demand
for the latter being a notable feature at
nearly all markets.
Spring trade has opened up well In inc
northwest and the jcbbing trade is quite
active Signs are accommodating That
the rush Of all sorts OF vessels on the
Pacific coast to take part IN the Klondike
trade has begun 10 affect charter rates
which are reported weaker at San Fran
cisco.
Cotton goods displayed strength. al
though print cloths OF regular widths are
somewhat easier. Ginghams are IN bet
ter demand than for several years past.
Spring business in wooden goods has been
rather disappointing. but a good demand
for mems wear goods for fan delivery IS
reported and the mills are well supplied
with orders. Wooden manufacturers are
not in the market for raw wool 10 any eX-
tent. but prices are still firm.
WHEAT EXPORTS.
4 further shrnkage in wheat exports.
but corresponding enlargement Of the
shipments of corn and lower priced &C.
reals is indicated this week. Total eX-
ports of wheat. -four included. from the
United States and Canada. aggregated
@ 252. 900 bushels against 3.122.oo0 bushels
last week 100000 bushels in this week
q year ago. 100000 bushels in 1896 and
3272 600 bushels in 1895. Corn exports
amount TO 5.O5f69i bushels as against B.
Gq2 900 bushels last week. 10000 bushels
at This week 4 year ago. 2,O50W bushels
i'm 1896 and $4,000 bushels IN 1898.
Business failures in the United states
for the week % as against lS for five
business days last week, 262 in the cor
responding week Of last year 30 in 1896
and 252 in 1920
Failures in Canada for the week num-
Der . as against g last week. u I'm this
week OF 1897. Sc in 1896 and 50 in 1896.