Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-05
TRADE SIGNS GOOD.
THEY NEARLY ALL POINT TO AN
UNPRECEDENTED BUSINESS.
WAR STORIES NOT DISTURBING.
There Is Confidence That the Au-
thorities Are Doing what L. Pro-
per to Provide for the Public De-
fence.

W." lOtSh, Marcn 4.-BrauStreet TO-
morrow will say: Nearly all signs point
to an unprecedented volume OF business
being done or being arranged for at the
present time. The aggressive nature OF
prices record-breaking bank clearings
and continues 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 trade at iead-
Ing distributlve centres, are among the
visible features of trade development.
Nearly all OF the country's cereal pro-
ducts are higher in prices this week, as
also are some varieties Of provisions,
Bessemer pig-iron, copper. raw cotton,
and tin.
The further advance in pig-iron this
week would seem to indicate that the inn
mense current production IS as yet with
out visible effect on values. The prices
Of copper showed an advance OF nearly l
cent per pound during February, while
the consumptive demand and statistical
position are such as 10 lead TO confidence
at least in the maintenance Of present
prices, II not of further advance. Few
decreases in price are noted, that IN
sugar being the most important, while
the list OF staples steady and unchanged
numbers pork. coffee, lead, and print
cloths. The strength Of raw cotton mas
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 a decidedly cheerful
tone to adyices from that section.
Trade is larger than usual at the Cen
trail West particularly in dry-goods,
groceries. boots. and shoes hardware,
lumber. and agricultural implements, the
demand for the last named being nota-
BILE feature at nearly all markets.
Spring trade has opened up well in the
Northwest and the jobbing trade Is quite
active. Signs are accommodating that tle
rush OF all sorts OF vessels on the Paclnc
Coast, to take part I'm the klondike
trade. has begun to affect charter rates
which are reported weaker at San Fran
cisco.
Cotton goods display strength. although
print-cloths of regular widths are some
what easier. Ginghams are in better de-
mand than for several years past.
Spring business in woollen goods has
been rather disappointing, but good de-
mand for mems wear goods for fall de-
livery is reported and the mills are well
supplied with orders. Woollen manufac-
turers are not in the market for raw
wool to any extent, but prices are still
firm.
THE DUN REPORT.
Messrs. r. q. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Re
view of Trade will say tomorrow:
Stories Of the most reckless sort, DIS
proved promptly, and many of them be-
fore they are told, affected speculation In
stocks much last week, and at times this
week, but they have not disturbed the IN
dustries There is a confidence that the
authorities are doing what is proper TO
provide for public defence, and business
is moving on with the assurance that 1t
will not be seriously disturbed.
In grain. cotton, meat products, and
petroleum. the markets have been
strong. with gradual increases in the de-
mand for manufactured products
The failures i'm February have been
smaller than in any other month, except
three. of the previous ffty-two months'
with a remarkable decrease in the fail
ures for 100000 and over though in num-
her and amount the smaller failures show
less change than might have been expect
ed indicating that in good times or bad
large proportion is due to causes apart
from the general condition of business.
The ratio "a defauted liabilities to pay
ments through clearinghouse Is but Sill
ner 81 900. a lower rate than has appeared
in the first quarter of any year, except
1880 and 1881, OF the past tWenty-three
years. ,---
The hest evidence of general improve
nent is the fact that payments through
clearinq-housss for the past week nave
been $50 per cent. larger than IN 1877,
and outside Of New York, with its specu-
latiye interests, Y.6 per cent. compared
with last year, the gain has been o6.Z per
cent for the week, and 1873 per cent Tor
February. -. -.
The production Of pig-iron is the great
est ever known. Foundry at the East Il
slightly lower Basic pig having been OF
fered in q sharp competition at ABOUT SiV,
though southern makers in Alabama ana
Tennessee. excepting two. nave agreed
mon a plan OF sales through commits
sion. The demand for hnlshed prouuctS
covers work far ahead in plates. struct-
nal forms sheets. pipe. and rails.
The strike In cotton-mills does not
enread but helps to a slightly better de-
,,,and for some goods. while I'm woollens
tho business Is slow in some OF the inner
Qualities which have been much adj
,anced in price. and in these and other
Grades as well cancellations have often
exceeded recorders, indicating less distrl-
hutton than was expected AT the au-
,,sOcpd priCeS,