Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-12-22

New York, Dec 7.-Bradstreet's says:
''Likeaing the general business of the coun-
try 10 that of a water course, II may be
aEthoritatiVely stated that nearly all the
channels Of seasonable trade are at the
present tire running full, md in some
lines OF lssinesS the stream is virtually
out of the INKS. This is particularly the
case IN iron and Steel where production
and consumptive demand are alike going
or at an unprecedented rate, at time.
too, when It is usual to look for quietness
and even dullness in this industry. Moth
ing like the present activity in this branch
OF trade has been seen for many years past.
II. Indeed. II has ever been eqaaled. Ad-
vices from all the leading centers of iron
production are of an exceptionally eager
demand for the crude and manufactured
products and of advancing prices. the only
anxiety expressed being that by buyers
desiring early delivery. Probably never
before in the countrys history mas it been
possible for American steel company
to refuse a profitable order for rails for
foreign account, on the plea that its mills
were already fully occupied so far ahead
as to preclude its trying for the business.
Higher prices for pig iron. steel billets.
soft steel and all sorts of car material are
reported. while the production of raw ma
terial is at it's maximum. Ship building,
too. contributes its portion of activity to
the iron trade by its urgent calls for ma
ierial.
Situation N other Lines.
I'm other lines of business the situation.
as regards prices, is a favorable one, nota-
BILE among the advances reported being
nearly all the cereals, cotton coffee lum-
Der. copper. lead and a variety of other
less prominent 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 nave been
more or less discounted. the United States
remaining, as for some time past, the prin-
clpal source of supply of the world. In
creased interest is being taken in cotton at
the advanced price, and the situation of
the manufactured product has been
strengthened by skillful management of
the print cloth situation, which in turn has
induced more liberal demand for kindred
products for the spring trade Seasonable
quietness 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 re-
ported 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 q year
ago, with the indications favoring a total
trade for the calendar year a least one
sixth larger than year ago, and our sales
abroad aggregating two dollars for every
dollars worth we buy"
Surprising Year.
r. G. Dun & Co. in theIr weekly review
of trade say: December is adding sur
prising close to the most surprising year
OF American history. November surpassed
all other months of the century In volume
of business and production. and thus far
December is doing even better In payments
through clearing houses, in railroad earn
ings. in foreign trade. in output Of pig iron
in activity and strength of securities. But
that is saying great deal. for IN all these
and other tests November was far the best
month of American financial history
Failures for the week have been 26l in
the United States. against 329 last year.
and 81 in Canada. aganste2S last year"