davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
BRADsTREET's REVIEW.

NEW YORK, Feb 1S--Bradstreet's to-mor- row will say: Favorable features dominate the general business situation as whole and few commercial conditions present themselves which can be regarded in any degree dis turbing. Chief among those factors which make for continued or growing strength in commercial lines may be mentioned the re- newed tendency toward advances in quotations of all staple articles and the steadiness of prices in other lines where increases not at the moment reportable. Perhaps second in tn. list of suspicious features is the continuance of marked activity in nearly all branches loi the iron and steel trade, more particularly In the Central West, where 1t is authoritatively reported over 30 per cent of the pigiron furnace capacity is in blast The failure of the South ern furnace men to reach a price agreement Is of course depressing feature in that sec ton, which, however finds counter balancing factor in the intention to advance prices re- ported from Bessemer ore producers. The vol ume of distributive trade shows increase,
 notably in dry goods and groceries, at so man,
 widely separated points as to warrant tn.
 conclusion that spring trade is receiving per. ceptible impetus At the West iron and steel mills are reported generally busily employed and unwilling to take orders for future dey- cry At Chicago 30 GOO tons of steel rails hay.
 been sold in the last two weeks. The bicycle trade Is reported starting up, well at the West, but Is st. slow at the East where.
 however, the cotton goods situation Is one of hopeful strength. owing to the strength of raw
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19

material and the restriction of production due 10 the New England mill strikes. As to the strength of cotton sugar and rice and the de- mand for iron all favor the Southern trade situation, which Is also being helped by the growing foreign trade in cotton goods The actlVlty Tn Alaskan shipments keeps vessels busy on the Pacific Coast and freight rates ar- urn. California crop prospects are not en-
 business failures continue to decrease. aggre- gatlng only 269 for the week. against 273 lase we %eek sS SSS In the corresponding week of 1884, z!o Tn lSs6, 327 in 1895 and 233 in 1894.
 AS apoVe intimated the price situation Is one oI local strength. Compared with week ago, not one article of staple use Is reported lower. although al some low grades of wool would have .o pe snaoed If sales were made. This was ow- ing to the absence of manufacturers from the nsarl .i diuring the past few weeks. Prices of neaaiy n aii Kinds of grain, but notably wheat, corn ttn,,, ana flour and of most metals. and par tscuiariy stee! blllets. copper, lead and tin. nave mer ara aavanced The agreement by the Besse- s aisi ore producers will probably result in an aayanee Ta on the coming seasons output.
 ,,Se Sereal exports tend to increase. Exports of ~ea1 ana 'nour included) for the week aggregate 1sSz' iss, a bushels, against S.41sOoo bushels nao weeK; 2,l2O 900 bushels last year. 3,149.- VS T ousheis in 1896 and 1sOS. 900 bushels in 1895 ,poik tne poik or this increase over last week Is eHai i6edDie 10 large flour exports.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
LOCAL MARKETS.
EXCHANGE AND BULLION.
WHEAT AND OTHER GRAINS.

WHEAT-Futures fell off, but spot prices re- mained steady. There was not much doing. Tidewater quotations are follows: $1 421a for No l, $1 43&%@1 45 for choice and $1 Tje@ 50 per ctl for extra choice for milling. CALL BOARD SALES Informal Session-9:15 o'clock-May-s00o ctls. s1 4o1a; 20oo, s1 4OX; 10000. $1 4OA. December 4O00 $1 32A. Second Session-December-4000 ctls. st 32% 40o0, $1 32as; 4000, N 32k. MayS00O. $1 40&; 5000. |. s1 40ss.
 Regular Morning Session. Deesmber.-2ooo ctls sl 329s: GGO0. sl 32H<: 4O00. s1 32% May 5000 sl 40as; 200O s1 40A; 10. 600. s1 A.
 Afternoon Session - December = 2000 ctls. $1 33k 0,000 s1 331s BARLEY-Both spot and future prices re- mained without material change. Business was quiet.
 Feed sl o5a1 o7A dark to good and s1 10 s1 1cQ1 1o1t per ctl for dark Coast. CALL BOARD SALES
 Informal Session-s:15 o'clock-May-1o 900 ctls s71sc; 400O, 9Sc
 Second Session-May-2OOo ctls. 9Sc; 2ooo. ss@c; 5000 9SAc.
 Regular Morning -May-1O.ooo ctls, 9S%c; 2o0o 9Sssc; 400O, 99c 5000. 9s7tc.
 Afternoon Session-May--200 ctls, 99c; 5000. 99Ac. OATS-The demand for Feed descriptions Is improving as stocks in consumers hands are running low. Milling is higher, this being the only change.
 Fancy feed q 22,s@1 25 per ctl: good to choice, s1 i7iaG1 221a; common. s1 12h@1 15; Surprise. s 25@1 30; red, s1 35Q1 45; gray. $1 15 $1 3591 5o. Clipped Oats sell at $1@2 per ton over the raw product.
 CORN-The market Is firm enough, but the demand Is nothing extra.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
EASTERN MARKETS.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET.

NEW YORK, Feb 1S-The tone of the speculation was doubtful and hesitating in Wall street to-day and the large preponderance of the days dealings was in Sugar and th> Changers. Nearly 60 per cent of the total transactions in these stocks Coupled with the fact that the total sales of all stocks showed a marked decrease in the recent aver age the large proportion absorbed by these specialties formed a significant commentary upon the condition into which the market has fallen After the opening weakness due to sympathy with the London and some other foreign exchanges had been overcome, 1t look ed as though the strength radiating from the Changers had prevailed in the market but the increasing weakness of Sugar. coupled with a fall in the prices of local New York special ties in the final hour decisive factor in driving prices below last nights level
 The radical utterances made in the course of the debate precipItated in the Senate un the Maine disaster also ended in the distrust in the minds of spectators and prompted li- quidation. Business on the decline was by far the most animated of any during the day
 The Union Pacific. Denver and Gulf securi- ties were strong on rumors that the reorgan- ization in prospect would bear easily on them
 The bond market held firm except that some or the speculative issues yielded in the late transactions in the Union Pacific 4s. the Texas and Pacific Eds and Rock Island extension 5s Total sales, s4.520.000
 higher and the old 4s registered the new ts and the 5s m higher bid
 Total sales of stocks to-day were a51 5oo shares. including: Atchison preferred 3S67 Canadian Pacific, 3i0O; Burlington 173Si; Lake Shore. 3SSS; Louisville and Nashville. 7020: Manhattan, s24O; Metropolitan Street Railway e559: S559: New York Central. 61SO; North American, 5gCO; Northern Pacific. 36l5: do preferred. lO $50; Rock Island. 69aO; St Paul. g, 115; Union Pacific. l531; Union Pacific. Denver and Gulf. 1S.sV; Tobacco, 4ls7; Peoples Gac 3545; Con solidated Gas. 3s50; General Electric. 3555; American Sugar. S7,174; Western Union, 5o52
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19

diff and 16s Cd from Newcastle. N.s.W.. which means 15s from Sydney, Free engagements .en New Wengton 0taSls siS per ton s seatls Rs. ss: Scotch. s10; Cumberland, si0 in bulk and s11 50 in sacks; Pennsylvania Anthracite Egg. slS; Camel; slo per ton: Rock Springs, Castle ton in bulk and s14 In sacks.
 R1CE.Chinese mixed. s4 25Q4 30 per ctl: waiian. s4 s21sa4 75; Japan. & sOG5: Rangoon,
 sPIcEs-Pepper has been advanced to 1O@ white; Pimento has been raised to 16G12hc
 COFFEE-C. E. Bickford's circular says: Our last circular was dated January 27 since which time the market has been on the whole normally active. at times quite brisk Prices are, however. little easier for all ex- cepting the very lowest description Qnferior to commonl which are scarce. and the very high est grades of washed Guatemala. the latter being still In demand at former rates Salva- dor unwashed. which sold at the beginning of the period at 91ac, has gradually declined to s%c. this price being made yesterday on sales of about 250 bags. These figures apply how ever to the ordinary grade of current quality ing to grade and style considerable DOT ton of the recent arrival of crop Costa Rica Is being delivered on contracts to arrive made early in the season for special qualities but the spot sales thus far are furnishing a new range Of prices and we alter quota tions so far as conditions permit.
 ''The New York market for Brazis has dergone no change, prices for spot coffee being as last quoted
 "To-day's stock consists of 1137 Costa Rica. 71 Nicaragua, 1855 Salvador 1902 Guatemala and AIS Mexican; in all 10 5S3 bags, against I'll bags same time last year.
 ''The steamer Newport is due about the 18th with 4250 bags.
 We quote Costa Rica-17ik9lSc for prime washed; 1411@15c for good washed; l1ik91sc for good to prime washed peaberry; 161s@l7c for good peaberry; 14917c for good to prime; lz Q12hc for good current mixed with black beans: 911911hc for fair; 51s9s1ac for common
 Saivador-14@15c for good to prime washed; ; 126l31kc for fair washed; 15G161ac for good to prime washed peaberry; 10@11e nominal for su- perior unwashed; S%@9c for good green un- washed: 12Q1Sc for good to prime unwashed peaberry.
 Nicaragua-S&@ @11c for good to superior un. washed; 1261Sc for good unwashed peaberry
 Guatemala and Mexican-17G19c for prime L. fancy washed: 14kg16c for good to strictly good washed; 13@1412c for fair washed; 7@lOc for medium; 5G6Ac for common to ordinary 16l2@1Sc for good to prime washed peaberry 12q13c for good unwashed peaberry; S&Q1c for good to superior unwashed.
 SUGAR-The Western Sugar Refinery Com pany quotes terms net cash: Cube Crushed and Fine Crushed. s%c; Powdered, 6asc; Dry. Granulated SAC: Confectioners A. SAC: Mag nolia A, 5asc; Extra c. 5Ac: Golden c. 5hc Candy Granuated. 57sc: California A, 5lsc per lb: half barrels Ac more than barrels. and boxes
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
EXPLANATION

The arrow flies with the wind. The top hg- ures at station indicate maximum temperature for the days. those underneath it. If any, the amount of rainfall, of melted in inches and hundredths during the past twelve hours. Isobars. solid lines. connect points of equal air pressure; isotherms, or dotted lines, equal tempera ture. The word high means high barometric pressure and is usually accompanied by fair weather; low refers to low pres sure and is usually preceded and accompanied by cloudy weather and rains. Lows usually first appear on the Washington coast. When the pressure is high in the interior and low along the coast, and the isobars extend north and south along the coast. rain is probable; but when the low is inclosed with isobars of marked curvature, rain south of oregon is i'm probable. With a high in the vicinity of Idaho. and the pressure falling to the Cali fornfa coast. warmer weather may be expected In summer and colder weather in winter. The reverse of these conditions will produce an opposite result
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
EASTERN LIVESTOCK MARKET

CHICAGO Feb ,s.-CATTLE-Sales were at an extreme range of s3 S0QD5 50 for the poor est to the best beef steers; bulk at $4 2oQo. Stockers and feeders. 8 s0@4 60. Calves. $6 2s 6r6 75 for best grades, others selling at tA 20 G6.
 HOGSThere was active general demand for hogs, prices were strong at an average of Sc advance. Hogs sold all the way from s s5 for common lightweights, up to $4 15 for prime heavy shipping lots, the bulk of the hogs goine for s4GD4 10, while pigs sold largely at 8 60Q 3 95 Both local packers and shippers bought freely.
 SHEEP-Trade In sheep and lambs was fair. ly active at recent quotations Lambs solo at SAGA 50 for few inferior hocks. up to s5 60 for prime Colorado fed lambs, not many going below $5. Sheep sold at g 60QS 50 for inferior lots up to S4 50 for strictly choice, fed West erns selling at s4G4 5O ., ooo 1000.
 KANSAS CITY.
 KANSAS CITY, Feb 1s.-cATTLE.Rsceipts official $500 Dressed beef, largely $4 25Q4 90, top price, s 15 Cows and heifers. steady to 10c lower. s2 25qs e5. Western steers. 8 25d4 50. bulk. s 75a4 s5. fancy yearlings selling up to ss 20; Bulls. lOc to l5c lower, g 5oq4. sfSas to SC Higher bah S s tas s S9g4; lights. 8 s5@s 5; pigs. ss 5oSs 7s steady; lambs. easy. Western sheep. s soG 35; lambs s4 50q5 40; native muttons, s 75G oU; lambs, S4 ooI5 ou. DENVER. DENVER, Feb. 1S-CATTLE-Receipts 600. Market steady good cattle; common, easie,. Beef steers. s 4044 20; cows. s2 50QS 7o stock CTS and feeders, B S5Q4 50; bulls, stags, etc, s243.
 HOGS-Receipts. 100. Market, steady. Light packers, s S5Q3 90; mixed. B 75J3 S5; heavy 8 70d3 so.
 SHEEP = Receipts, 100. Market, firm. Wethers, s s094 20; ewes, s 25Q3 90; lambs, s4 50Q5 30
 OMAHA. OMAHA, Feb. B.-CATTLE-Receipts, 1900. Market steady; native beef steers. 8 7OG4 90; Western steers, s3 50Q4 50; cows and heifers. s3d3 90; bulls. stags, s2 40G3 60
 HOGS-Receipts, $500. Market 5c higher; heavy $S S5Gl3 90; light, 8 S5Q3 95; bulk of sales. B S5Ql3 S7h.
 SHEEP-Receipts. 2ooo. Market. steady; fair to choice natives, 8 7014 75; fair to choice hs sa
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
CHICAGO GRAIN MARKET.

CHICAGO, Feb 1s.-It was evident at the start in wheat trading that the short scare, so prominent a feature of trading all week. had nearly all died out under the influence of the heavy dealing during yesterdays session. In addition the most important of the early news nearly all In favor of bears and weak and lower opening the inevitable result May, of which the closing price yesterday was Sl O4h, was offered at from s1 03h down to s1 03 and the price dropped to q O2k, or 4Ac lower than the highest price paid yester- day. In this decline Argentine news was prom inent. Argentine shipments for the week amounted to l.2Ss.000 bushels, against 712 600 bushels the week previous and 152, 900 bushels last year. Cable news also rather dis couraging to holders, both Liverpool and Paris showing small declines. The character of The news however. soon changed. Liverpool tine. said that continued heavy rains were doing considerable damage and the market was advancing with sellers scarce. This caused cessation of selling here and strated a buying demand which soon sent the May price back to s1 03h. It reacted then to s1 O21sc after Il o'clock. Toward midday the mar. ket became quite strong. New York ard Bos- ton reported the taking of freight room for 75O. 00C bushels of wheat for export to Liverp1o all of which was credited to Letter Several of the large sellers of yesterday, notably Cud- movement was started by the Letter freight room arrangements. May advancing to S1 Of and ;1 Huly 10 o,, ssSc. At the close May was bring
 There was large general trade in corn The close was asc lower for May
 The market for oats was only moderatelv active and cratic. May closed Xc lower.
 .-,.t Ihere was fair trade done In provisions with with the market generally tending toward factor throughout. There was considera h,e proht-taking: At the close May pork was l2c changed. "' i'oe ah-
 The leading futures ranged as follows:
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
THE STOCK MARKET.

Mining stocks were dull again yesterday and prices showed a slight decline from the pre- ceding day.
 Local securities were weak. with the usual good business
 The San Francisco Gas and Electric Com pany will pay its regular monthly dividend of soc per share March l.
 The Confidence Gold Mining Company of Tuolumne County has levied an assessment of 30 cents per share delinquent March 21.
 The Sierra Nevada assessment of 20 cents per share will be delinquent in the boards to-day.
 The New York and Honduras Rosario Mining Company has declared a dividend of 10 cents per share. amounting to $15,Oo0. payable March D.
 Company will pay dividend of $3 per sharo, amounting to s45O 000 to-day
 The Homestake Mining Company of South dend of 25 cents per share The January out put ameunted , od to IF 700 ounces gold, valued a, about s2lG,ooo. which compares with l3. 400 s222. 23O. The decrease In the production in January Is due to the cold weather. for the week ending February 12. active ex- plorations continued in the New, Security. Black; Main, all Standard and other ledses on the 150 1s0. 265 BIS, 336 and 470 foot levels The stopes on the l5o. 200 sis sss ssS. 4s5 and 5ss following veins Security, MoyIe. Bullion. Black. Incline, Maguire and Fortuna: The stopes generally are looking well. In the is being followed. At points c and D on the 33s foot level high grade ore is also being taken out In the Incline vein, in winze No. 5. the stope shows inches of very good ore on the footwall side. The stopes north and south from the wnze in the Mcguire vein. on the 4s5 foot level show to inches of good ore. which is improving. There is inches wide of good ore in the stopes from winze No. and raise in the Fortuna vein on the 5S2 foot level.
 Standard Mill statement-Ore crushed for the week. 127 tons; assay value vanner tailings. $7 Sz concentrates produced. 1 ton; assay
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
GENERAL MERCHANDISE.

BAGS-Calcutta Grain Bags. 1898 delivery 5%@s%c Wool Bags. 27@30c; San Quentfns' So
 COAL-Harrison' circular says: During the week four vessels arrived from Washington with l1.600 tons of coal; three from British Columbia TAI tons; two from Oregon I5o tons; to as:; one from Newcastle, 1030 tons; total, 2o ZSo tons. Since the cali for domestic coais has eased off, there Is further excitement 10 chronicle in the fuel market; there are no changes in values, and probably will not be- unless owners of coal carriers should further advance their freight rates. which advance will of necessity be added to the coal There is al ways a regiment of 'alarmsts' In a commit nifty, who are ever prepared to predict fam ines and short supplies of leading articles of commerce, but there Is no valid reason for predicting fuel famine in 1898. Higher prices will open other avenues for supplies. which are temporarily out of the market and our principal producers would be most imprudent to permit Imports from these sources by rais- ing the scale of values.
 "Our continuous dry weather is making it. self felt by causing considerable advances on coal freights from Australia and Great Britain
 During the week there has been an increase of fully one shilling per ton; the last quoted cabled rates, name 17s from Swansea and Car
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
DUN's REVIEW OF TRADE.

NE" YORK, Feb. 1S-R. G. Dun & Co. s review or Trade: The dreadful disaster to the -haihe' much as 1t has affected all hearts, has hoe much affected business Only In the stock market, where there was selling Wednesday by 'peouiators on thin margins, but in no other specuialiVe market an effect felt, nor in eenefai business. An advance of 10 per cent III wages by some Gogebic mines Is expected lo De general throughout the lake region ex- cepting the Mesaba District, and prices of ore lFoni the other ranges this year have been ad- Vanceo lb per cent, with allotment of 6,0O0.- ooo tons outside Carnegie's mines, which be- 'oaehs an output much the largest ever known
 neat mas risen 3a points and exports con- tlnue so heavy that material advance is nat urai Atlantic exports In three weeks have peen eG S4i e,elS bushels. flour included, against I7s Ss9 iasr year. and Paclnc exports nave been I.f.o,oo-, against l4747 7S2 last year. Such ship iinents. me With heavy engagements for the future. an spite @ % ot M II 4SO S3l bushels Of corn exported. year, are conclusive proof of the urgency of I0relgh needs. Wheat receipts hold up well. tnough not exceeding last years as much as 4.SS4 TAO last year.
 The bottom fact is that the world needs wheat which this country can only supply for about six months to
 The iron output February l. with reports of stocks on hand not held by the great steel companies. indicates consumption of at least 3oOo tons per week greater in January than the previous maximum attained In November, 1S97 The production Is at present greater than the consumption, stocks having increased 9016 tons weekly Tn January. outside of the steel com Ranies, whose stocks presumably decreased some weakness in pig would naturally result put While gray forge has declined at Pittsburg to $S go, with Southern iron offered at Chicago at concessions. no change appears in products Ihoush new business has been somewhat dis appointing the works mainly supplied for months ahead.
 In building of steel cars. in black sheets for tinning In rods, wire and wire nails increased demand and heavy business appear though bar and pipe are weaker and structural orders seasonably slow. Mine metals have advanced, tin to l42Oc on considerable consuming de- mand. copper to II 14c for lake on heavy ex- ports and lead to 3S0c and spelter to 4.10c on speculation. but failure organize the tin pool caused weakness. American selling at Sc and lower at the West
 Failures for the week have been 295 In the United States, against 303 last year, and 35 in Canada, against sS last vear
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19
NEW YORK GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

NEW YORK. Feb. S.-Flour-Receipts. IS, 4e2: exports. 11,647. Market inclined to drag at barely steady prices owing to the break in wheat
 WHEAT-Receipts e25o. Spot steady; No ? red. q 06%a ob afioat to arrive Options opened weak and at a partly %@kc decline, followin- heavy Argentine shipments and un- satisfactory cables. They declined further on liquidation, but rallied in the last hour on reported heavy freight room engagements for Letter wheat and bullsh Argentine crop news. Closed steady at kq1iAc net decline. May. sl Q1 0i closed s1 6oa4.
 HOPS-Firm. WOOL-Quiet.
 METALS-Several departments of the metal market show decided strength. and the gen erai situation has assumed a more favorable turn. At the close the Metal Exchange calls PIG IRON-Warrants, very dull at s6 50 bid and s6 70 asked.
 LAKE COPPER-strong and higher at s11 Ss TIN-Quiet, but firm at s4 10 bid and s4 20 asked.
 asked The firm that fixes the settling price for miners and smelters calls lead strong at COFFEE-Options closed firm at a net ad- vance of 5d10 points. Sales. $500 bags, includ- ing March s 65a5 75. Spot Cofree-Rio; quiet; sUGAR-Raw. strong; fair refining. 11-1sc; centrifugal, s6 test, 3-l6c; refined. firm. creamery, 14lsa2dc: Eigins, 2oc; factory. 1iS 14c
 EGGS = Receipts. 45oo packages. Steady; State and Pennsylvania, 16c; Western, l51zc
 DRIED FRUIT
 NEW YORK, Feb. Is.-California Dried Fruits steady.
 PERFORATED APPLES-Common, 5d7Xc; prime wire tray, SAC; wood dried prime, s1ac; choice, SAC; fancy. 9Ac.
 PRUNES-3GSc.
 PRICOTs-Royal. 5G7hc Moorpark. g O He
 PEACHEs-Unpeeled. 5asc; peeled. 12a2oc.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-19

value ss7 80; plate amalgam produced, Soos ounces value per ounce. 8 0S. The mlii Was M shut down for ten hours for routine inspsct.on and repairs at the power plant also 1oIty- eight hours on account of shortage or water; The cam shafts are in place and the full miIi is now running satisfactorily
 At the annual meeting of the Little Pitts- burg Mining Company Ed H. Airis. George Dern. John R. Riley, Chauncey D. Gardanier and Horace E. Zerbe were elected board or directors the board at its first meeting to se- lect the officers for 1898. The report of the treasurer showed that during the year s4Oo0 had been derived from assessment; that s2706 o7 had been expended, and that there was balance in the treasury at this time Of