The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-25
Business Has Never Been Setter on the
-:-.~z-'.-' Whole,

-'-.~7 e'- . Whole.
New York, Feb. PAR. g. Dun &
Co:'sNweekly review of trade tomorrow
will say:
me situation is without precedent.
business has never been better on the
whole and in some great industries the
gam is astonishing. At every point of
oanger' except one, the signs are in ev-
cry respect favorable.
The upward rush of 165 per cent in
the prices Of pig iron since Jan. l and
Af'6 per cent in prices of iron and steel
product does indeed raise a question
whether exports of such products NAV
not pc temporarily checked, but if thew
could be entirely stopped as thew are
no!, me balance due this country would
sun be large. The rush of demand for
nnlshed products, at time when near
~ all the works are crowded bv orders
covering production until july 1 or la
Yer causes many 70 refuse to contract
beyond that date except at higher pri-
ces, ana rise under such circumstan-
ces may prove the one thing Fneedful TO
SOBER buyers and to bring into the list
OF producers other establishments here
'tetore IDLE. While fairly large capa-
city of production is still in reserve
Inc demand now pressing for cars, yes
sells, bridges; buildings and pipes is
partly to anticipate an expected rise in
prices The best sign is that great pro-
uucerS. appear to be anxious to main
taintheir hold on foreign markets, al
thoHghaiust now unable to take orders
for future delivery slo
IL Is a slgn of similar import that the
boot AND shoe manufacturers lust at
this time seek better markets by a
somewhat general reduction of 21t
cents In PRICES. although leather aver
ages Slightly higher.
me shipments from the east have
been, smaller than in four of the past
six years in quantity and only 1875
cases larger than in 1892, and having
gained nothing during all these years
In proportion to population, the eastern
manufacturers naturally seek more
business. The increase in prices of
grain leather has not hfndered much.
while a few large sales of hemloek
sole are not necessarily at quoted pri-
ces. A great many factories have
been out of work, and sales at a re,
duction do not cover all grades of
goods. Hides have. been q shade weak
er at Chicago. the decline averaging
one-sevanth per cent and covering
nearly all classes.
Nobody can Judge what clothiers
may buy as yet and the wooden manu-
facturers have an uncertain market
ahead. but it is judged that there will
be a leavy demand for goods before
long, and many of the smaller mills
are looking for chances in the wool
market.
Little weakness is there seen except
for fleece, and in quarter and three
eighths blood and combining wool pri-
ces are generally strong, with Scarcity
of supply, but sales for three weeks
have been 18,05o.20O pounds against "a
$4,000 two, years ago with free wool
and 100000 pounds in 1892. The de-
mand for cotton goods increases, al
though there is some hesitation re-
garding the price of the material.
The urgent demand for goods of all
qualities stiffening the prices of sta
piles as we'll as of fancy goods gives
the highest confidence to dealers. Cot
ton has sold an eighth lower, although
the material decrease in receipts and
large exports still give hope of an adj
vance. Wheat has gained only 1$
cents in price, although Atlantic ex-
ports -four included, have been 1851
1854. against 2,0s0, All bushels last year,
and including other exports 1929, 736
bushels against 3,656793 last year.
The exports have been so heavy that
many doubt their continuance and yet
grain comes from the farms and goes
abroad as if such doubt had no basis.
The western receipts during the past
three weeks have been 9,379,273 bushels
against II 1875, 426 last year Grain has
gained but " cent with smaller de-
mand for export, although its south
ward movement will be quite beyond
precedent but for last year. In three
weeks the exports have been 6,915,567
bushels against 10 95l,T14
Failures for the week have been 191
in the United States against 239 last
year and 40 in Canada against 80 last
year, .,.5l-s~s..ey .e7{ rst