The San Francisco call., 1898-02-05

NEW YORK Feb AR c. Dun & Co., s Weekly Review of Trade will say In its issue tomorrow: Actual payments through clear ing-houses in January made remarkable showing being much larger than in any pre- vous nonth 363 per cent larger than the same month last year and Fl per cent larger than in 1892. The failures in January were smaller than in any previous year or Whlch there Is record, and were probably smaller than in any other January since 1881. The statement by branches of business given this week shows a surprising gain in most departments of manufacture and trade. Mean while the money morket is as confident as ever; gold does not come from Europe in large amount only because bankers find 1t worth while to lend money abroad, and the balances are heavily in favor of the United states.
 Perhaps the most striking feature Of the week has been the decline Tn wheat. With ex- ports of 3,094, ,517 bushels, against l71Oo4o last year. flour included, from Atlantic ports, and 776, $40 from Pacific ports against 44S,ooo last year, the temper of the market has been weaker. The report or the agricuitural de- partment has had some influence, although its figures not generally credited as reliable. The wheat market has turned largely upon the operations of Chicago speculator. but the fact remains that the price depends largely upon foreign needs and upon the comparative scar city of American supply.
 gaining in consumption of pig iron, although the production of the material Is still in ex- of immediate demand. but not enough to cause decline in prices in Pittsburg or Chi cago. Even the Southern producers are able to get a fair price at Chicago and al the East. and anthracite pig Is unchanged. The demand for finished products has been very heavy and includes for structural work 5000 tons for the State Capitol building in Pennsylvania. 4OOO tons for the courthouse at Denver, 5000 tons for elevated railways at Chicago and numer- small buildings in various parts of the country The demand for car building has been very heavy, both at the East and West, and the plate demand increased at the East account of orders from shipyards. For plates the demand from tinplate works has been very active. The prospect of combina- tion of wire manufacturers has stimulated the demand and raised the price for wire rods. Tin Is quiet and steady at SIS S5, with vis- ible supply February 1 of S1. 12O tons. against S2, 333 year ago. Exports of copper in Janu- ary were about 10. 225 tons, against 9066 last year, and the price is held at 11c for Lake
 There Is better demand for cotton goods since the general stoppage of works at the East. but there is no indication as yet of ma terial gains respects unsold stocks on hand.
 In woolen goods the demand is altogether more satisfactory, an advance of about 20 per cent being paid on most grades of the finer woolens and worsted. and nearly all the mills active. The sales of wool at the three chief markets were 1861. 400 pounds. of which 3,973.oo0 were domestic against 13, ,563, TOO last year. of which 4o3,4 400 were domestic
 Failures for the week were 335 in the United States against 311 last year. and 39 Tn Can ada, against 63 last year.