The herald., 1898-12-17
Bradstreet's Report

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say:
Lnkening the general business of the
country to that of a water course, 1t may
be ,authoritativ stated that nearly all
the channels of seasonable trade are at
the present running full and in some lines
Of business the stream is virtually over
flowing. This is particularly the case in
iron and steel, where production and con-
sumptve demand are alike going on a an
unprecedented rate, at time, too, when it
is usual TO look for quietness in this indus
try. Nothing like the present activity in
his branch of trade has been seen for
years, If, indeed, it has ever been equaled.
Advices from all the leading centers of
iron production are of an exceptionally
good demand for Its crude and manufac-
tured products and of advancing prices, the
string early delivery. Probably never be-
fore in the country's history has it been
possible for an American steel company TO
refuse profitable order for rails for for
eign account on the plea that its mills
were already tully occupied SO far ahead
as to preclude its trying for the business.
Higher prices for pig iron, steel b!llets.
soft steel and all sorts of car material are
reported, while the production of raw ma
terial is at It's maximum. Shipbuilding, too,
contributes it's portion of activity to the
iron trade by its urgent calls for material.
In other lines of business the situation
as regards prices is favorable one, nota-
BILE among the advances reported being
ber, copper, lead, and a quantity cf less
important staples. Following 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 discounted, the United States remain
ing as for some time past the principal
source of supply of the world.
Increased interest is being taken in cot
ton at the advanced price. Seasonable qui-
etness is reported in the lumber trade but
prices retain all their old strength, and an
active demand is looked for with 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 for November surprising the total
for December year ago, with the indca-
tions favoring a total trade for the calendar
year at least one-sixth larger than year
ago. and our sales abroad aggregating two
dollars for. every dollars worth we buy.
Wheat, including -four sh, pments for the
week aggregate 6,0S7,625 bushels, Portland,
Me-, not received, against $685. 1852 bushels
last week. 4,604, 800 bushels In the cores
ponding week last year, 2.C56. 943 bushels In
1895, and 1854. 1886 bushels In 1894. Since July
this year the exports Of wheat aggregate
los, ,043,179 bushels, against lis, sos, ,O97 BUSH
els last year.
Business failures are about normal, num-
ber!ng 233 for the week. against 2S7 last
week. 2S3 in this week a year ago, 359 in
1925, and 1929 in 1894.
Business failures for the week in the Do
minion of Canada number 80, against 20
last week and 43 in the week year ago
Bradstreets financial review will say
An enormous aggregate of transactions
in both bonds and stocks, with an unusually