Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-03
the BUSINESS SITUATION.

Iiradstrcet's issue for tho Inst
%eek mas this to say "NhilA business
Of speculative nature has been quick
to reflect thn increasing strain in
political affairs in redHced values and
withdrawals or curtailment Of activity
in some lines there is little to Indicate
that the volume of distributire trade
has been reduced, and repnrtS this
week, so far as the latter branch of
business ia concerned, arc among the
hest received this year. With few i'm
portant exceptions the price situation
ia one Of strength, while the enlarged
demand for coarse grains is taken 10
reflect the turning OF attention from
higher prcad cerens to thoae OF a
lower priced character. at the East
last weeks squirt in the dry goods trade
at Boston does not seem to hold, but at
New York there is considerably moro
doing in the johhing trade. Tbs cotton
situation is one of firmness, rejecting
alike the Gurtailment of production
growing out of labor troubles and the
firmness Of raw cotton induced by a
good export demand. Wool III firm, but
the demand has perceptibly slackoned,
and there is lesH doing In manufactured
guols. The demand for boots and shoes,
electrical supplies and machinery is
reported aheau Of last year, aa are also
shipments of the frat mentioned pro-
duets. Tho hest renort as to the dis
trihntion Of trade made SO far this year
comas from the Central West, Spring
trade there is reported earlier than
usual Jonbers in dry goods, shoes,
groceries anu agricultural implements
arc all active. The demand for the
latter claas of goods in fact is reported
SO goud al 80 many different points as
TO he worthy Of special notice. Kansas
City, perhaps the most important mar
ket for agricultural implements in the
country, reports the demand exceeding
all records and sales limited only by
the ability to deliver orlers. Exports
of wheat, including flour, from this
country and Cauada during the past
week five days. aggregate 3, I22, 4Gg
bushels. against 3, 932, I44 bushels last
week, l,3I2,2 buHhels in this week
a year ago, :!l,206 773 bushels 10 1896,
| =, $50, OBS bushels ia 1895 and 2, 972, go
bushels in 1891. Corn exports amount
to 5, So, 100 bushels, against o, 0JG. JId
bushels last week, !, I4i, S5S 10 this
week year ago, 3, l5S, 3lS bushels in
1896 and SAT, 600 bushela in 1897
II. q. Dun & Co. q Review. issued
Saturday morning, says. Foreign
possibilities have much affected speGu
lation, and caused hesitation in some
large business operations possibly &C.
counting in part for q check in the
rapid advance of wheat. but industrial
production continues larger than ever,
few more works being added TO the
active list, with decrease in the mum
Dor of hands on strike, and renewed
evidence that the volume of business il
larger than in February OF any previou'
year. Nor is there any symptom of {
senseless craze based on rising prices
The legitimate export and domestic
demand presses closer 10 the capacity o.
works, and though there 10 no fiighty
advance in any line, and III all marrow
ness of profit is matter of complaint
new business for this dull season is un
precedented. Payments through clear
inghouseB have been for the week 81.
per cent greater than last year. and II.
per cent greater than 10 1892, and pay
menis outside this city have been 10.
per cent greater than in 1892. Tn
comparison of railroad earnings doe
not cover exactly the week of excite
ment, but shows increase over last yea
Of l2 per cent, and over 1892 of 6. pc
cent, all classes of roads sharing tn
increase, while the tonnage movemen
is also beyond all records and over
: per cent larger than in 1896. Th
money market has been stronger, Wit
net outgo of So. 500, 600 currency fror
, Nsw York, interior banks preparin
for spring settlements. AN importan
statement shows that seventeen bank
; are now oanng AZ per cent on CONNER
cial paper, after the extensive liquida
, ton, against "a per cent in April, 1896
n per cent in April. 1895. when Gus
toners were largely carried by tn
! hanks, and Y per cent in the pani
, period Of 1888 Failures for the tire
; weaks have been 81, 293, i3D, agains
$40, GID, 7si last year and $40, $3.50, $50 i
1885,"