The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-19
DID NOT AFFECT BUSINESS.
Increase of Production has Gone on III
Spite of Maine Disaster.

New York, February lS.-R. u. Dun q
Co. in their weekly review OF trade will
say:
The dreadful disaster to the Maine,
much as it has affected all hearts, has not
much affected business. Nothing has
occurred to check the increase in produc
+ion or in working force. The proposal
of general strike in the cotton mills tc
support the New Bedford strikers does
not thus far seem likely to meet much
response. An advance of. ten per cent in
wages by Some copper mines is expected
to be general throughout the lake region
excepting the Mossbi district, and prices
of ore from other ranges this year have
been advanced fifteen per cent with Nh
allotment of e, 000,o tons outside Car
negie mines, VIII CHI betokens an output
much the largest ever known.
Exports exceeded imports in January
by $57, 6S6.546 and in the past six months
by $500, 407 ,642, the customs and INTERNAL
revenue in seventeen days of February are
more than So, 800, 600 larger than IN the
same part of January, and the S3, 5O0, oul
imports of gold in January are already
exceeded this month. Wheat has risen
3 3-S cents, and exports continue SO heavy
that material advance is natural AT
lantic exports in three weeks nave Deen
g. 466, 4o5 bushels, flour included against
5,26l, 97l last year and Pacific exports
have been 2. 476,652 against / ,474, 7o2 last
year. Such shipments, with heavy en-
gagements for the future in spite OF ii,
430, 83l bushels of corn exported against
12,507, 214 bushels i'll the same weeks last
year are conclusive proof of the urgency
of foreign needs.
Wheat receipts hold up we'll, though
not exceeding last years as much as e1.
ports, in three weeks 7,775,560 busnels
against 4, 1884, 740 last year. The bottom
fact is that the world needs wheat Whlcn
this country only can supply for about
six months to come. Cotton has hela UNI
changed for spot, though a little lower
for options, prospects Of decrease IN the
next yield being the main support.
The iron output February l., WIN re-
ports of stocks on hand not held by the
great steel companies, Indicate consump-
ton at least, 30U0 tons per week greater
in January than the previous maximum
attained in November, 1897. Minor
metals have advanced, tin to 1420 on
considerable consuming demand, copper
to IL IA for lake on heavy exports and
lead to $50 and spelter to 40 on specula-
ton, but failure to organize the tin poo
causes weakness. American selling at s.
and lower at the West. Shipments OF
boots and shoes from Boston in February
have been the largest ever known at thii
season, exceeding those of 1886 by l.;
per cent, and those of 1899 by 16 per cen
and heavy buying is reported in women's
light Shoes better than in previous year
Some makers have sold half tho annua
product in mems shoes, though other
have done little or nothing. unable to gel
prices they desire. The range OF price
for mems boots and shoes has advances
an average of about 2 1-2 cents per pair
Leather is practically unchanged an!
hides change very little at Chicago, wit
Colorado and buff o shade lower. In tn
cotton manufacture production is re
stricted by strikes and some grades are
shade dearer. The recent opening of hig
grades woolens at advanced prices meet
less demand than was expected with les
activity in lower grades and unexpected
numerous cancellations in light weights
indicating larger buying than consumE
ton has yet warranted.
Failures for the week have been 295 il
the United States, 303 last year and 35 il
Canada against IS last year.