The record-union., 1898-03-05

in the United States, against 246 last
year, and thirty-two in Canada, against
fifty-nine last year
NEW YORK, March 4.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say:
Nearly all signs point to an unpre-
cedented volume of business being
done or arranging for at the present
time. The aggressive strength or
prices, record-breaking bank clearings
and continued large exports, pariicu-
larry of the lower priced cereals a
very heavy volume of business in iron
and steel and kindred lines, and gem
orally satisfactory reports as. to the
volume OF spring trade at leading dis
trlputlve centers, are among the Wis
ible features of this weeks trade de-
velOpment.
Nearly all the country's cereal pro-
ducts are higher in prices this week,
ana also some varieties of provisions,
Bessemer pig iron, copper, raw cotton
ana TN. The further advance in pig
iron this week would seem to indicate
that the Immense current production is
yet without visible effect on values The
price of copper showed an advance Of
nearly one cent per pound during Feb
ruary, While the consumptive demand
and statistical position are such as to
lead to confidence, at least in the main
tenance in present prices, if not of a
further advance. Few decreases in
prices are noted, sugar being the most
important, while the list of staples
steady and unchanged reach large num-
bers. particularly coffee, lead and
print cloths The strength of raw
cotton has had an encourag ging effect
upon Southern trade, which is gener-
ally reported good, and better than
usual at this season.
The export of corn from Southern
ports is an additionally favorable
feature, while the practical agreement
of Southern iron producers on prices,
and generally satisfactory collections
at most points, has impaired lecid
edly cheerful tone to advices from that
section.
Trade is larger than usual at the
Central West, particularly in dry goods.
groceries. boots and shoes, hardware,
lumber and agricultural implements,
the demand for the latter being a nota-
bic feature at nearly all markets.
Spring trade has opened UP we'll in the
Northwest. and the jobbing trade is
quite active.
Signs are aecumulating that the rush
of all sorts of vessels to the Pacific
Coast to take part in the Klondike trade
has begun to affect charter rates, which
are reported weaker at San Francisco
Cotton goods display strength, al
though print cloths of regular widths
are somewhat easier Ginghams are ir
better demand than for several years
past. Spring business in wooden goods
has been rather disappointing, but a
good demand for mems wear goods for
fail delivery is reported, and the mills
are we'll supplied with orders Woolen
manufactuI are not in the market 1cr
raw wool to any extent, but prices are
still firm
further shrinkage in wheat ex-
ports but corresponding enlargement
of the shipments of corn and the lower
priced cereals is indicated this week
The total exports of wheat (four in
cluded) from the United States and
Canada aggregates 3s252, 900 bushels,
against 3,I22,OO bushels last week, .
oIo.OOO bushels in this week a year ago,
and 2.4O1, GOO bushels in 1896
Business failures in the United States
for the week number 232, as against 1873
for five business days last week, 262
in the corresponding week of last year,
and 20 in 1896. Business failures in
Canada aggregate twenty-seven, as
against forty-five last week. :ifty-one
in this week of 1897, and sixty-siS in
1896.
EASTERN GRAIN MARKET.
CHICAGO, March AT the opening
n for Oh
lively speculative demand for July
wheat. and the market displayed con-
siderable firmness AS usual. Letter
was at the bottom of the strength the
ordering of $40, 600 bushels more Of his
wheat for shipment to the seaboard-
this making nearly 100000 bushels
SINCE this movement began-being re-
sronsible for good deal of buying.
another factor was the signing of the
decree reducing the Spanish import du-
Ties on grain. Opening trades in July
We're made at 91A@91$sc. a shade above
yesterdays closing price, and enough
support materialized to send the price
UP TO 9Ipsc in short time. That proved
10 be the high point of the day.
outside of the items of news men
toned, everything favored the selling
Sf"S VI tHe market, ana this fact soon
mad Its effect. Liverpool was the espe-
cially discouraging feature. That mar
ket showed AMSsd decline. Argentine
shipments We're the heaviest thus far
THIS season, being reported at $40, 900
bushels. This array of bear news grad
ually brought sellers into the marker,
the liquidation, light at first. gradually
grew heavier. prices slowly declining.
In the meantime another factor had
entered the market in the shape of SELL
ing or May by the elevator interest. in
which Armour was especially promi-