The San Francisco call., 1898-02-14
OUR ENORMOUS BUSINESS.

United States may be realized by a glance at the bank clearings for the past week. They amounted to the stupendous sum Of $Iy434,o75,ooo, and were 52 per cent larger than for the week in I8o7 58 per cent larger than in ISo6 "A per cent larger than in 1895, and S2 per cent larger than III 1894. The only city of any importance to show a decrease last week Denver, which fell of I8 per cent for some cause not known and probably local The gain in San Francisco was 253 per cent, and it may be remarked in passing that this city uniformly stands eighth in volume of business and one of the ten whose clearings are always written with eight figures.
 The railroad earnings of the country also large for mdwnter, those for January being S3Soooooo, I66 per cent better than in January 1897 This is per haps due to the opening of the spring trade which Is sudden and earlier than usual itself gratifying sign of the general prosperity of the country.
 The two leading features of the week the abrupt improvement in the iron and steel trades and the continued increase in the demand for cotton. This latter has greatly stimulated trade in the South and Southwest, which report more active call for merchandise chiefly on spring account. The busi- failures show the usual decrease those last week being 278 against 3oI for the same week in 1897 and 3SI in I8o6 The exports of wheat fell off somewhat though they were 100000 bushels larger than for
 
 contrary showed an increase, being larger than for some years. The output of iron is immense and yet told that this bids fair to fall short of the demand for finished products the present activ- ty in building of various kinds continues The dis tributve trade of the country never as good as it is now, and advices from all parts of the country report collections satisfactory The recent advance of Y per cent in woolen goods is maintained with 1tv herat ie up in many localities. The hide and leather trades in rstclass shape and the hide market has again advanced under extreme scarcity, which is causing annoyance to dealers and leather man ufacturers.
 There to be a disposition all over the country to invest in corporate enterprises, as affording safe and profitable returns This is one of the best signs of the times yet observed. It shows that the people have confidence in financial and industrial operations o large capitalists, and that good deal of the sense less outcry against this class of business has died away, 1t does when times are good This ten dency IS shown by the bush feeling in securities Ill Wall street, and, to closer home by the noteworthy activity in the San Francisco market for local stocks and bonds. Attention has already been called to the latter and glance at the transactions the Stock and Bond Exchange will be revela- ton to those who do not keep track of the daily dealings in these securities There is nothing better to hold than frst-class stocks and bonds They are always available at moments notice in case of de- sired financial accommodation, and are therefore called quick assets
 The local situation presents no new features oi importance this week. Wheat is quoted rather higher than during the preceding week and IS in- trinscaly strong. Barley continues to advance and IS getting shipments to Europe this season have been heavy. The other cereals hold their re- cent advance. The activity in provisions shows no dmnution and dealers report trade better than ever before at this time of the year Hides have gone ID again Dried fruits and -asins still in the dumps though at the present rate of slow and steady nur- chasing by the East stocks bid fair to be well h;ttled down by the time the new crop comes forward Hogs have advanced and are firm at the improved prices, with growing scarcity reported in choice hogs. Beef and mutton rule steady at the good prices. The wine trade is still in bad way owinp to the lack of agreement between the different in- terests but there indications that the market shape itself into better condition and those in the trade express general confidence n the future o the industry
 Crop prospects have been greatly improved by the recent rains, and while moisture is needed in the great valleys, especially in the south-centra part o the State, district is suffering. The usual spring rains will doubtless bring us through all right
 
 There is such thing dignity. San Jose should resent the act of Councilman in selling himself SC