The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-05
BUSINESS TUPROTEMENT.
Remarkable Increase In Volume as shown
in tleRranccs'

Remarkable IncFfote VI Nbiunt az 'h'Nh
in tlcaranoes.
NEW YORK, Feb. Ar. D. Dun
Co.'S Weekly Review OF Trade. will say:
Actual payments through clearing
houses in January made remarkable
showing. being much larger than in any
previous month. 363 per cent. larger
than the same month last year and ~
per cent larger than the month in lSsz.
The failures in January were smalier
than I'm any previous year of which there
IS record and were probably smaller than
in any other January since lN,l
The statement by branches OF business
given this week shows surprising gain
In most departments. Meanwhile the
money market Is as confident as ever,
gold does not come from Europe in large
amount only because bankers ma IL
worth while 20 lend American money
abroad and the commercial balances are
heavily IN favor Of the United states as
heretofore.
Perhaps tho most striking feature of
the week has been the decline in wheat.
With exports Of 3.09lJl7 bushels against
f.770.53G last year. -four included. from At
lantic ports. and U6.SiO from Pacihc
ports against aiSB bushels last year.
er. The report Of the Agricultural De
partmont has had some influence. al
though IT'S figures are not general crcdlt-
ed as reliable.
The wheat market has turned largely
upon the operations of chicago spec
ulator. but the fact remains that the
price depends largely upon foreign needs
and upon the comparative scarcity or
American supply The outgo OF corn
continues heavy 2.19S.7sG bushels against
234S. 400 for the same week last year and
the excess over last year when exports
were much the greatest ever known
creates a very heavy foreign demand.
The SPOT price of cotton remains un-
changed. but the fact that receipts con-
tinue larger than during the same week
Of 1895 after tho heaviest crop ever known
checks speculative operations Tor an au-
vance.
The iron and steel manufacture IS
steadily gaining IN consumption In pig
iron. although production of the material
IS stiu In excess OF immediate demands
but not enough TO cause decline IN prices
at Pittsbure or Chicago. Even the South
ern producers are able 10 get fair price
at Chicago and at the East and anthra-
cite pig is unchanged. The demand for
finished products has been very heavy,
md includes structural for the state
Capitol buildings of Pennsylvania; 1000
tons for the courthouse az Denver; SO0O
tons for elevated railways az Chicago
and numerous small buildings IN various
parts of the country. rhe demand Tor
car building has vccn very heavy boln
East and West. and plate demand greatly
Increased on account Of orders from ship
yards
The demand from the tin-plate works
has been active. The prospects OF a com
bination Of wire manufacturers has slim
ulated the demand and raised the price
OF wire rods 1908 ovens are in blast
with Connellsville coke. and the price IS
81. 90 for furnace. Tin IS quiet and steady AZ
35c.. with a visible supply February lst
OF 81 100 tons. against 1882 year ago.
Exports Of copper in January were
about 1925 tons. against 9C66 last year
and the price is held at II cents for lake.
There is better demand for cotton
goods owing 10 the general stoppage OF
work in the Fast, but there IS indication
Of material gains at second hands Wool
lens have been active, the sales OF wool
M the three chief markets were 6S6l4
pounds. Of which $4,000 were domestic,
against is5s3.7O0 last year Of which SisS'-
400 were domestic
Failures FOR the week were 3S5 IN the
United states. against 2ii last year and
30 In Canada, against SO last year.