The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-07

Advauctng-Heavy Export OF Cereals
New York, March 3.-R. G.. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade will say
tomorrow: The business for the past
month was far the greatest ever known
in February. Clearing house ex-
changes we're about $1,000, 00o. 900
against s5.567. $50, S44 last year. and
$40 larger han in 1892. In all the
years OF weekly commercial reporting
there has been no other ween In which
reports from all parts of the country
have been on the whole SO good as they
are this week. Moreover, during h
past week there has been a general adj
n in wages, immediate or prospec-
tiev. At most points the advance OF
10 per cent. or more was entirely VOL
UNFAIRLY. 1t has averaged from 5 TO 10
per cent. in tinplate works and about
10 per cent. in other cases, and as II
affects much over loo, 900 hands IL will
add greatly TO the purchasing power
Of the wage earners.
The returns of failures in February
while showing larger liabilities han
in January, are highly encouraging.
"A rather Unusual uuiiDtB vi ia So
| failures in scattered branches OF man
ufacture has swelled the aggregate. in
GLIDING n concern for $1,00O,O 600 in
electrical apparatus, but in nearly all
branches the statement indicates a re-
markably healthy condition in spite
of these failures, while in trading the
defaulted liabilities are smaller than
in January or any previous winter
month for six years.
In prices the striking feature has
been the rapid advance in iron and
| steel products, resulting from a de-
mand greater than the works in the
| country can supply. All the works of
importance have been crowded with
! orders running to July and later. Be-
lated buyers have given life to con-
| Germs long inactive, and as these can
| add but little to the output the market
have been entirely controlled by the,
buying demand.
All sorts of prices have been entire
ly controlled by the buying demand.
All sorts of prices have been paid,
some for early delivery, and some for
delivery after July LIST, but $3.50 is
quoted for Bessemer pig at PittsDurg,
$12.50 fer grey forge, and at the east
S14.25 is quoted for anthracite No /.
Prices of finished products have also
been advanced 81 per ton for eastern
and western bars, plates aud structur-
cal forms, and SO for wire nails. The
demand has lot yet been checked. and
some heavy orders have been taken at
all points, even at the highest prices
named, but the export business Is like
ly to be stopped for the present.
Holders Of wheat have been looking
for the report OF the agricultural de-
partment regarding stocks held by
farmers March LIST, but commercial
reports indicate that such are the larg-
est ever held at this date. They have
to support them the western receipts
from farms, which have been larger
than for past years in February-for
four weeks, 1851, 900 bushels against
10, 004. 600 bushels last year, while the
exports have been for four weeks, H.
S29, 756 bushels, against 9,S78, 636 last
year. The Pacific exports have been
COS, 1877 bushels for the week, against
GA, 1893 last year and from other ports
1929 bushels have been shipped dur
ing the past week.
Rarely, IL ever, has there been as
great a demand for grain at this sea-
son as now appears, but the price has
yielded lac for the week, although
corr has advanced ac for spot, the re-
ceipts having fallen.
The textile industries are making
progress. There has been a strong In
crease In the demand for cotton goods,
resulting in further advances in the
prices for some, while in wooden goods
a slight advance appears n~otwithstand-
ing a decline in the prices OF wool
during February. The decline has not
been general in wool, nor has he d-
vance in goods. The heavy weight
season has been disappointing and the
manufacturers are willing to get on
for the time as best they can In the
hope that larger demand VII come
from the clothiers a little later.
Failures for the week have been 186
4. A. JT,f.ad Ctataa oOaiUGt 9E1 last