The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-03-23
TRADE REVIEW.
Activity In the Iron Industry, and Exports
Of Merchandise Increase.


r. @. Dun & Co.'s Weekly Review Of
Trade reports as follows FOR last week:
Neither peace nor war reports have
changed the onward current of busi-
ness. Orders for more than 225,6O0,e00
gold from Europe have blocked any
drift toward stringency in rates for
money and treasury receipts of about
81 100000 per day have Kept In check
any question about the currency, while
exports of products have continued at
a rate considerably increased, and the
demand for products of the great int
lustries shows steady expansion.
Prompt action by the senate and house
1as removed all fear Of embarrassme
through conflicting purposes at WASH
ngton. The government Is making
'eady without any waste of time, while
frankly assuring everybody that II
looks for a peaceful settlement and
hopes that its preparations may prove
Unnecessary
The backbone of the situation Is the
excess of merchandise exports, more
than Sal OOO, GOO i'm February, with an in
crease of S2,2GO0G0 In miscellaneous pro-
duets, 81, 1000 600 in provisions, H,J00,00)
In cotton and S7000,000 in brcadstuns,
compared with last year. and Sl5,101,-
300 In all products. In two weeks of
March exports have been 16 per cent
arger than last year, and imports have
gained but 81 per cent, although es-
pecially swelled by receipts of India
rubber, sugar and hides. The outgo Of
cotton surpasses all expectations,
though the price was stronger last
week and the export demanded appar-
entity paid no attention to market iluc
tuations. Receipts from plantations
continue much greater than at the cor
responding date from the largest crop
nntsn tAffa fnt
ibout the future crop are now the main
'eliance of spectators.
Wheat also moves in spite of all
speculation. Atlantic exports, -four in
cluded, have been 1,S2i569 bushels.
against 1,253,S90 last year and from Pa
,ific ports, 1,37l,S26 bushels. against
'6S,505 last year. making FOR three
weeks from both coasts 10,659.125 bush
els, against 4,53s,441 last year. The
price has varied with conflicting re-
ports, but closed Ac higher for the
week. Wool shows no change in quo
.ations. though eastern markets are ex-
tremely dull and the indifference of
manufacturers has made transactions
only 2,062,3 pounds, against 10,Ss1, 900
Tor the corresponding week last year,
md 5,0SS, 200 for the corresponding week
IN 1892. The London market Is rather
higher and holders in the interior are
expecting n material advance in prices.
Bessemer pig and gray forge are both
slightly stronger at Pittsburg, the pro-
posed combination of valley furnaces
helping, but pig is not changed in price
elsewhere, nor are finished products at
any point, excepting wire nails which
are cents per keg weaker and steel
;ails which are s9id to be sold at sl7 80
at the East by some establishments.
Contracts have been made for 10000
tons with eastern works for domestic
delivery, 1000 tons for Australia, 5000
tons with 1000 tons bridge work for
South Africa and the Illinois Steel
Company is filled with orders for the
year. The Carnegie Company has sold
5000 tons of deck plates to ship build
ers of England, and several Chicago
orders for plates exceeding 1000 tons
each are for railroads, car and agricul-
lnral implement manufacturers and
projectile works. The wire combina-
lion, having failed to effect the broader
arrangement contemplated. is seeking
to complete control of about so per
cent. of the wire output of the country.
While activity is great in the central
and western region there Is less de-
mand at the East.
Failures for the week have been POS
In the United states against 261 last
year and 27 In Canada against so last
year.