The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-17
LARGE TRADE IN
IRON AND STEEL.
Such Activity Has Not Been Seen
For Years, II at All.
THE SITUATION IN OTHER LINES
Is Most Encouraging. Good Demand
aud Advanced Prices Being Re-
ported at All P0ints-Grain Ex-
mort Demand is still Good.

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say:
Likening the general business of the
country to that of water course, II may
be authoritatively stated that nearly all
the channels of seas0nable trade are a.
the present time running full and In
some lines OF business the stream Is vir-
tually out of the banks. This Is partleu-
larry the case In iron and steel. where
production and consumptiye demand are
alike going on ct unprecedented rate, al
a time, too. when IL is usual to look for
quietness and even dulness In this IN
dustry. Nothing like the present activity
I'm this branch Of trade has been oeen
for many years, H. indeed. ii has ever
been equalled. Advices from all the lead
ing centres OF iron production are OF an
exceptionally eager demand for the crude
and manufactured products. and OF adj
vancing prices, the only anxiety express
ed being that by buyers desiring early
delivery. Probably never before in the
country's history has IL been possible Tor
an American steel company to refuse a
profitable order for rails for foreign ac-
count on the plea that its mills were
already fully occupied 40 far ahead as to
preclude its trying foreign. business.
Higher prices for pig iron, sseel billets.
soft steel and all sorts OF car material.
are reported. while the production OF raw
material is at its maximum. ShlDbuild-
ing. too. contributes its portion Of ac-
tivity to the iron trade by its urgent
calls for material.
GOOD IN OTHER LINES.
In other lines of business the situation
as regards prices. is favorable one.
notable among the advances reported
being nearly all the cereals. cotton, cof-
fee, lumber, copper, lead and a variety
OF other less prominent staples Follow
ing the slight recession shown In wheat
values of last week. an improved demand
for export has again developed. which
is evidence OF the fact that stories OF
keen competition from Argentina and
Russia have been more or less discount
ed. the United States remaining as for
some time past the principal source Of
supply OF the world. Increased interest
is being taken in cotton at the advanced
price. and the situation OF the manufac-
tured product has been strengthened by
skilful management OF the print cloth
situation. which I'm turn has induced a
more liberal demand for kindred products
for the spring trade.
THE LUMBER TRADE.
Seasonable quietness Is reported In the
lumber trade, but prices retain all their
old strength, and an active demand Is
looked for for the turn OF the year.
Holiday trade Is reported extremely
active at most markets. The country's
export trade Is OF the largest volume
ever known. that OF November surpass-
ing the total for December a year ago.
with the indications fayoring a total
trade for the calendar year at least one
sixth larger than year ago. and our
sales abroad aggregating two dollars for
every collars worth we buy.
GRAIN EXPORTS.
Wheat. including -four. shipments for
the week. aggregate s.0i6.625 portland.
Maine, not received, against $685. last
week. 1904. 800 in the corresponding week
of 1897: 2.G55.9i3 In 1895 and 1854, 1888 I'm 1894.
Since July 1st this year the exports Of
wheat aggregate 100 400. 7ls. against 49,
s09O97 last year.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
3251 1886. against 4.3ss.535 last week; 4.129.-
SIS in this week a year ago; 2.Sl4150 in
1896: 2.057970 in 1895 and 65S,066 In 1894.
Since July LIST this year, corn exports ag-
gregate 72.27s7o0. against H. ,443 during
the same period last year.
Business failures are about nominal.
numbering 23s for the week, against 237
last week, 2S3 in this week a year ago,
$50 in 1896. 3S5 in 1895. and 800 in 1894.
In Canada 81 this week, against % last
week, and AZ last year.