The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-19
EXPORT TRADE is HEAVY
PEACE OR WAR REPORTS Do
NOT CHECK BUSINESS.
oUTGooF CoTToNsURpAsSEs ALL HOPES
Wheat Makes a Good Showing '-Bessemer
Pig Strong at Pittsburg- Cotton Goods
Are Dull and LoWer--WoOIen
Goods Advance,
Goods Advance.

New York, March 1S.--R. g. Dun &
COmpany's weekly rev.cw of trade to-
morrow will say:
Neither peace nor war reports have
changed the onward current of business.
Orders for more than $25.500.000 gold
toward stringcncy in rates for money,
and Treasury receipts of about 81, lO0,-
900 per day have kept in check any
question about the currency, while OK
ports of products have continued at
rate considerably increased, and the de-
mand for products of the great indus
tries shows steady expansion. Prompt
action by the Senate and House has re-
moved fear of embarrassment through
conflicting purposes at Washington. The
government is making ready any waste
of time, while frankly assuring every
body that it looks for q peaceful settle
ment and hopes that its preparations
may prove unnecessary.
The backbone of the situation is the
excess Of merchandise exports. more
than $41 100000 in February with an
increase of 81, 100000 in miscellaneous
products. 81, 100000 in provisions, 81
100000 in cotton, and STGO0,000 in
bread-stuffS compared with last year,
against $15, 100000 in all products. In
TWO weeks of March exports have been
16 per cent larger than last year, and
imports have gained hut ST per cent.
although especially swelled by receipts
OF india rubber, sugar and hides. The
OutgO of cotton surpasses all expecta.
tons, though the price was stronger
last week, and the export demand ap-
parently paid no attention to market
fluctuations. Receipts from plantations
continue much greater than at the
corresponding date from the largest
crop heretofore produced, so that guesses
about the future crop are now the main
reliance of spectators.
Wheat also moves in spite of all spec
ulatiOn, Atlantic exports, -four inclu-
ded have been 1924 $50 bushels, against
]. .2J3,390 last year, and from Pacific
ports 1871 .S26 bushels. against 26S, 305
last year, making for three weeks from
both COASTS 1859, 12J bushels a2ains;
4, 4,53S. AL last year. The price has va
ried with conflicting reports, int closed
u higher for the week Wool shows no
change in quotations. Though eastern
markets are extremely dull. and the in
transactions only 2,062.50U pounds,
against 10.S91 900 for the corresponding
week last wear, and 5.0SS.200 for the
corresponding week in 1892. The Lon
don market is rather higher. and hold
ers in the interior are expecting Il MA
terial advance in prices.
Little encouragement appears in the
market for cotton goods, with print
cloths a sixteenth lower chan week
ago. and standard grades undersOld by
many of less note. The demand Is large
but not large enough. In wooden goods.
ON the contrary. the material advance
in prices has raised the only obstacle to
increased transactions. and somewhat
frequent cancellations indicate that
dealers have been disappointed in their
distribution. The small yielding in WOO,
may result in a greater decline if this
tendency in the manufacture continues.
Bessemer pig and grey forge are both
slightly stronger at Pittsburg, the pro-
posed combination of valley furnaces
helping, but pig is not changed in price
elsewhere. nor are finished products at
any point, excepting wire nails, which
are five cents per keg weaker and steel
rails which are said to be sold Mt $3.50
at the east by some establishments
Contracts have been made for 10000
tons with eastern works for domestic
delivery, 12,Lvu tons for Australia, s.
600 tons with 1000 tons bridge work
for South Africa and the Illinois Steel
Company is filled with orders for the
year. The Carnegie Company has sold
5000 tons deck plates to ship builders
of England, and several Chicago orders
for plates exceeding 1000 tons each are
for railroads, car and agricultural i'm
plement manufacturers and prOjectilt
works. The wire combination having
failed to effect the broader arrangement
contemplated is seeking to complete
control of about 80 per cent of the wire
OUTPUT of the country. While activity
is great in the central and western re
zion there is less demand at the east
Failures for the week have been POS
in the United States, against 216 last
year, and 81 in Canada, against 30
last year.
BRADSTREET'S REPORT.
New York. March 1S.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow win say:
The aggregate volume of the cOuntry's
business continues sufficiently large to
allow of favorable comparisons with past
periods alike in this and in preceding
years. Aside from a queting in de-
mand at few leading Eastern markets,
where uncertainty as to the outcome of
foreign complications is advanced as
reason for unwillingness to embark in
new business, the situation is bne pos
sessing nearly all Of the favorable fea-