The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-05
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
Point to An Unprecedented Volume
of Business Says Bradstreet's.


New York, March 5.-Bradstreet's
says
Nearly all signs point to an unprece-
denied volume of business being done
or arranging for at the present time.
The aggressive strength of prices, record
breaking bank clearings and continued
large exports, particularly of the lower
priced cereals, a very heavy volume of
business in iron and steel and kindred
lines, and generally satisfactory reports
as to the volume of spring trade at the
leading distributive centers are among
the visible features of this trade devel-
opment. Nearly all of the cOuntry's
cereal products are higher in prices this
week and also some varieties of pro
visions, Bessemer pig iron, copper, raw
cotton and tin.
The further advance in pig iron this
week would seem to indicate that the
immense current production is yet
without visible effect on values. The
price of copper showed an advance of
nearly one cent per pound during Feb
ruary, while the consumptive demand
and statistical position are such as to
lead to confidence, at least in the main
tenance of present prices if not of a
further advance. Few decreases in pri-
ees are noted, sugar being the most i'm
pOrtant, while the list of staples steady
and unchanged numbers pork, coffee,
lead and print cloths.
The strength of raw cotton has had
an encouraging effect upon southern
trade, which is generally reported good
and better than usual at this season.
The export of corn from southern ports
is an additionally favorable feature,
while the practical agreement of south
ern iron producers as to prices, with
generally satisfactory collections at
most points has impaired decidedly
cheerful tone to advices from that sec
ton. Trade is larger than usual at the
central west, particularly in dry goods,
groceries, boots and shoes, hardware,
lumber and agricultural implements,
the demand for the latter being a nOta-
bic feature at nearly all markets. Spring
trade has opened up well in the north
west and the jobbing trade is quite ac-
tive. Signs are accommodating that the
rush of all sorts of vessels to the Pacific
coast to take part in the KlOndike trade
has begun to effect charter rates which
are reported weaker at San Francisco.
Cotton goods display strength al
though print cloths of regular widths
are somewhat easier. Ginghams are in
better demand than for several days
past. Spring business in wooden goods
has been rather disappointing, but a
good demand for mems wear good for
fall delivery is reported and the mills
are well supplied with orders. Wooden
manufacturers are not in the market
for raw wool to any extent, but prices
are still firm.
A further shrinkage in wheat exports,
but a corresponding enlargement of the
shipments of corn and the lower priced
cereals, is indicated this week. The to-
tai exports of wheat, flour included,
from the OnlIeQ states anu OdHdud'
aggregate 3,252,OOO bushels, against g.
722. 900 bushels last week; 2,075,O0O
bushels in this week a year ago; 2,407,-
OOO bushels in 1896, and 1922, 900 bushels
in 1895.
Corn exports amount to 5,054, 694
bushels, as against 3, 692, 600 bushels last
week; 5,255, 900 b. shells this week a year
ago; 2,775, 600 bushels in 1896; and 49,
600 bushels in 1895.
Business failures in the United States
for the week number 232 as against 1873
for five business days last week; 262
in the corresponding week of last year;
27O in 1896, and 252 in 1895.
Business failures in Canada aggre-
gate 27, as against As last week; 81 in
this week of 1897; sc in 1896, and SO in