Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-01-27

more decided weakness than they did a
week ago. Mild weather is frequently
mentioned as an influence tending to, CHECK
retail distribution Of reasonable goods,
chiefly because Of the effect on country
roads. Spring trade opens slowly, as
usual at this time of the year, but conf
dence is still unimpaired. As already
intimated, the immense current produc-
ton of pig iron amounting to fully 1000
600 tons per month, has begun to exer-
else an influence upon the price Of that
staple, but decreases reported are still
only fractional.
The outlook in the steel rail trade is
reported as flattering one. Large orders
for railroad account already booked have
been increased within the week, an exam
pie of this being furnished by sales of 15,-
900 tons reported from Chicago at full
prices Higher prices for wool abroad,
based partly on short yield reports, are
reflected in the ffmness Of domestic quo
tations, although demand, while compar-
ing well with most preceding years, is
smaller than it was at this time in 1897,
when tariff changes weie being anticipated.
The industrial situation, with the single
exception of the cotton industry, is one of
exceptional strength. As yet, the strikes
in this branch of trade, however, are
largely confined to Massachusetts,.
Men's-wear woolens are moving fairly
well. At the West, distributive trade is
slowly improving, while at the South "a
fnir January trade is reported, rarticu-
larly in the Mississippi Valley. Good le-
turns from last years Louisiana sugar crop
find expression in higher prices for sugar
lands. The good export demand for cot
ton precludes too heavy accumulations at
primary points, in spite Of the crop move
ment. Mild weather in the Northwest
affects trade to some extent. A point of
interest, however, is the report that fur
goods manufacturers, usually shut down at
this season are running full time on Alas.
kan orders. Business is active on the
Pacific coast. California crop prospects
have been improved by the srecent rains,
and ship and boat building are very active
along Puget Sound and at Portland.
Quite shrinkage in cereal exports is
indicated by reports to "Bradstteet's'
this week, Total shipments Of wheat,
flour incudedf from the United States and
Canada amounted to only 1926, 900 BUSH
els, against 5,229,0OO bushels last week,
100000 bushels in this week year ago,
.3,S49,0 OG bushels in 1896 and 2,S4O,0OO
bushels in the third week ofJanuary, 1895.
Indian corn exports also show heavy
falling off, amounting to only 3,4S6,00O
bushels this week against 4,46l 900 bush
els last week, 3.52O,OOO bushels last year
and 8, 1872, 900 bushels in the correspond
ing week OF 1896.
A further falling off in the number of
business failures is reported in the United
States this week, the total beng only 800,
against 323 last week, 429 in this week
year ago, 3l4 in this week of 1896, 3l2 in
1895 and 33S in 1894
Failures in the Dominion of Canada
show further falling of, amounting this
week to only 46, against IS last week, 81
in 1897, % in 1896 and IS in 1891, but
slightly exceeding those of 1895, which
numbered IS.
Irregular speculative conditions have
prevailed during The week. Realizing of
profits and bear attacks on prices have
been seen, the latter being based on the
revival of the Cuban agitation in the
House OF Representatives at Washington
and Of silver measures in the Senate. On
the other hand, at declines there was
evidence of buying, and in one portion Of
The market no small degree of strength
has been shown. This group included the
stocks of the Northern and Union Pa
ciics and the companies whose titles in
clude the name of Oregon. The basis for
their activity and strength was the grow
ing belief that the companies in question
will obtain an enormous amount of traffic !
in the coming Spring and Summer from
the transportation of passengers and
freight destined to the Alaskan gold fields.
The strength shown in this part Of the
market 10 some extent counteracted the
bearish demonstrations in other parts Of
The market. In the bond list, which was
very active, though not to such an eX-
tent as last week, the features we're also
largely furnished by this so-called "Klon-
dixie" group Of companies. Another
feature was the local traction stocks, but
Manhattan was subjected to more or less
realizing, and Metropolitan Street Railway,
which advanced to 1881, suffered mid
week decline. London itself was not a
factor in the market here, in fact, the
public there was inclined to take an I'M
favorable view of the revival of silver agi-
tation in Congress. On the other hand,
Berlin and Amsterdam have been large
purchasers Of Northern Pacific and Union
Pacific securities. The industrials, with
the exception of Sugar, were neglected,
and that stock was irregular, and, generally
speaking, weak, except when covering of
the short interest gave it temporary add
vances.
The Vanderbilts were strong in spite of
como s,,ecnlatir realizinn and the orano- |