The San Francisco call., 1898-04-04
A FINE BUSINESS.

C ENERAL trade conditions throughout the \I United States are about as they were week
 ago. The bond and stock market in Wall street continues less unsettled in sympathy with the constantly changing aspects of the political situation, and the public rule have left the ket for spectators play with. Interest there have naturally increased under the pressure but the continued imports ot gold, already mentioned, tend to keep the money market free from strngency hence there anxiety It is well known that there Is still S3ooooyooo in New York and S12 ,5ooooo in outside banks, against which gold is likely to be imported, the balance of trade is still enormously in favor of this country. As far money is concerned this na- ton was well prepared for at present We have more actual coin in sight and in vaults than Spain possibly raise in the European capi- tals, even ii the European inanciers disposed to accommodate her. which, with the possible ex- cepton of France, they unwilling to do.
 70 The merchandising of the country proceeds with serenity There is but little decrease in the dstribut ing trade and that only in one or two sections The failures last week 22o, against 2oo during the same week last year. The bank clearings were 2o3 per cent better The failure records bear witness to the satisfactory conditions ruling commercial lines this year total for the quarter just closed of 35I5 endorsements involving liabilities of S36,IoSooo a decrease in number from year ago of B per cent and from years ago o P per cent, while as re- gards liabilities there falling of from last year of 30 per cent, and as compared with I8o6 of over 42 per cent.
 The price record continues favorable. The depre- citations for the week confined to oats, four prints and hides, while the advances included wheat corn, lard, coffee, cotton and sugar. Most of the leading staples showed change during the week Hence it will be that the general commerce of the country is proceeding as if there were no such thing war.
 There IS nothing especially new in local trade There seldom is at this season of the year The con- dition of the crops is pretty definitely deter mined, and it is generally admitted by all interests that the yield of grain will be moderate at best and that of hay light High prices will probably rule for this latter staple during 1898 and least the early part of ISoo unless all present signs prove ilusive The state of the fruit crop is less defined but nobody ex poets crop of apricots this year. and small yield of peaches IS equally probable; but fair crop of prunes and other small fruits will doubtless be har vested and sold at good prices owing the deficiency m the two other fruits. Wheat and barley have been irregular owing to the uncertainty of the weather but there quite advance in both during the week. and and several kinds of feedstuffs went up in sympathy. The other staples have been less satis-
 
 coming in, but it is neglected and quotations for it have thus far been established. Hides and leather rule quiet and unchanged in price, Beef has advanced a fraction, but pork has declined owing to free re- cepts The East at last waking up to the fact that our fruit crop has been severely damaged by frost, and tone to dried fruits in New York IS re- ported in consequence The dried fruit market bids fair to be pretty good this year. which will be
 blessing to the orchard interest Already local and country holders of apricots refusing to sell at advanced bids from buyers, and peaches and prunes are reported in better request at firmer prices
 Merchandise Is meeting with an average demand and there violent fluctuations in anything to report Money continues easy and in ample supply for so- vent borrowers at the usual rates of interest The local bank cearings showed marked gain in March "over the same month in 1897, which indicates bet ter volume of trade this year. War talk has thus far not affected local trade, except in those lines which are directly dependent the East, such as wool, hides etc. but actual hostilities would doubtless produce marked change, one way or the other in almost every branch of trade. Tn, 5e who like to observe commercial conditions will watch with inter est the international situation from on It is to be hoped that they will be disappointed in the outcome, nor is it likely that they will be-
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