Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-09
PROSPECT FOR WAR IS AFFECTING
TRADE CONSIDERABLY.
OTHER CONDITIONS FAv0RALE.
BANKING CONSERVATISM IS NOT
CAUSING FAILURES.
No stoppage of Manufacturing Con.
cerns-Whent Exports Continue
Heavy-IrOn Trade Is Still
Booming - Enormous
Bicycle Business.

New {, April s-R. G. un & Co.'S
Weekly eview of Trade will say to-mor-
row:
when everybody is asking whether 1t is
to be war or peace. the state of business
is not easy to judge. Since nobody can
Judge just how wise bankers may be IN
an emergency, there Is some uncertainty,
but thus far scarcely any stoppage Oh
manufacturing concerns appears, nor any
indications that the producing force Is
likely to be diminished; nor IS any such
symptom to be seen in business reports.
Evidence Of existing conditions is not con-
fusing nor unfavorable. So far, banking
conservatism has not caused failures,
which continue smaller than for many
years. as in March, nor has it caused stop
page of any manufacturing concerns, Lor
lessened the volume of business reported
by railroads in tonnage, or clearingS at
principal points.
1.-THE wheat outgo counts for much, and
continues. Atlantic exports having been
2,2l,2l7 bushels for the week, against
1,52l ,122 bushels last year. and Pacific 1,2E6,-
574 bushels, against Al. SIS last year. Since
corn exports continue. 3.4SS,G00 bushels
against 3.32327 bushels last year, the
strength Of the demand Is not to be at
tributed to speculative agencies. 1t Is
fortunate that Western receipts OF wheat
do not fall short of the extraordinary gain.
but are still 1901, ,305. against 1.ISs,l1o last
year, so that the stories of the nearly ex-
hausted supplies of wheat are fables for
children. The price rose steadily and
closed 20 higher for wheat. with corn 10
higher. ~.
ton are extraordinary, though just now
deferred by the 20 N yoyE instead
outside from Gulf ports. For four weeks
it has averaged nearly 81. 10000 per week
lower than in 1895 from the largest crop
ever grown, in spite of the fall in price price
which has not changed during the week,
in spite of many reports Of decreased pro-
duction. In such conditions. heavy indus
trial demands for great force OF opera
tives have been effective.
THE truth is that every Industry meets
enormous Overproduct1on, compared Win
corresponding demands in any otner year
keeping almost their whole force employed
and some are increasing force. In one
branch Of woolen manufactures, Two car
pc. mills have stopped, or are about 70
stop. as it Is between seasons, but much
complaint of cancellation because of high
er prices and possibly in some cases be-
followed by reduced production. Sales of
wool are insignificant and prices have de-
clined &c for finer grades. and over cent
in the average for all quotations. only be-
stocks held by manufacturers.
In the iron and steel industry. with de-
mands greater than ever before from gen.
eral sources. urgent orders from the gov
ernment enlarge work, but do not ad-
vance prices.
Bradstreet's tomorrow will say:
"A sensible quieting of demand for staple
goods is perceptible in the various detailed
trade reports coming to hand this week.
At the East. the drift of matters affecting
our foreign relations has been such as to
discourage new business, but this tendency
has been considerably accentuated by un-
timely cold weather. which has checked the
usual Easter demand to considerable ex-
tent. Reports from the West are that the
heavy rush of spring business is about
over. and that orders coming in now are Of
a filling in character, Here again reports
of unreasonable weather are met with. A
fairly good business is reported at the
South. but slight check to our. export
trade is reported, growing out of the rails
ing of freight and insurance rates conse-
quent on the disturbed foreign outlook.
Frost is reported to have done considerable
damage to the peach and other frui, crops
of the South. and to early planted tobacco.
4 fairly satisfactory trade is reported at
open. and anticipation is that prosperous
years business will be done.
Rather less activity is noted in most of
have M moved fairly well. ginshams 'M especial. sL
ly being in excellent demand and except
for low grade cottons. notably print cloths.
which have made a new low price record OF
2 cents per yard this week, the situation is
as favorable as could be expected. Wool
Is dull, refecting uncertainty as to future
business and unsatisfactory margins of
profit.
1.-The iron trade continues to report a
large volume Of business being done. but
1t is becoming evident that this Is chiefly
upon orders previously booked. Engage
ments for future work have diminished
alike in number and volume. particularly in
the East. pending the outcome of foreign
complications.
"A feature Of trade at leading cities this
week is the active business in bicycles in
Chicago and New York. where sales are