The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-09

ducers are very generally sold up 10
the middle of next year. Prices snow
no marked change, plates and sneets
being relatively weaker, while bars are
strong. Copper shows little change
but tin is lower again. Activity IN
hardware is largely confined to holiday
specialties.
The strength of wool is apparently
unimpaired, though the demand is
quieter. London prices have again
moved higher. and the small available
supply Of fine grades supports the be-
lief that prices will still move upward.
The granting of 10 per cent advance
at nearly all the large cotton mills
throughout New England would, on the
basis of census figures, point to an in
creased purchasing power being Sc
cured by nearly 100000 people.
Wheat Qncluding 1our) shipments for
the week aggregate 5,133.33l bushels,
against 1868, 400 bushels last week; t.
S6S952 in the corresponding week OF
1898, 6,266, 159 in 1897, Apo. ia in
1896 and 2,45S3 23 in 1895. Since July
lst this season exports Of wheat aggre-
gate IDOL, 227 bushels, against 1O3,-
1864 last year and ia, 2O4, 79S In
1898.
Business failures in the United States
this week number 22O, compared with
III last week, 237 in this week a year
ago, 292 in 1897, 381 in 1896 and BIB in
1885. Business failures in the Domin-
ion of Canada for the week numer 81
as compared with rs last week, - in
this week a year ago, % in 1897, AZ in
1886 and SO in 1895.
NEW YORK, Dec. S.-R. G. Dun &
CO.. Weekly Review of Trade" which
issues tomorrow, will say:
The approach of a new year usually
brings so much of hesitation in bust
ness that the small shrinkage this year
is surprising. Probably never before
have the productive forces of the coun-
try been so largely covered by contracts
at this date, insuring employment and
profit far into the coming year. This
results not from any mere speculative
excitement, but from actual demands
for consumption running far beyond the
producing capacity hereafter, and push
ing it to remarkable expansion. The
increase in foreign trade has been in
significant compared with the increase
of $2,40O,O00000 in the payments
through clearing houses. For the week
the payments have been 2O.3 per cent
larger than last year, and ISL per cent
larger than in 1892.
Prices of pig iron are strongly main
tanned, though extraordinary efforts
promise an increase of over quartel
in producing capacity within a year
because the entire output of most o.
the furnaces for the first and in par
Of the last half of next year has beer
sold already.
The demand for cars and other rail
way equipment is enormous Tin i.
weak. Copper declined to 1634, but leat
and spelter are stronger Hides are
again stronger at Chicago.
Wool has advanced further, Will
much speculative buying, though mos
manufacturers have supplied thei
wants for the present, and are less dis
posed to purchase at prices now aver
aging higher than at any time sine,
June 10, 1891. Higher prices demand
ed in the interior and rising prices
abroad give confidence, in spite of thu
| fact that goods have advanced from
the lowest point this year only 1872.
Failures for the week have been "a
in the United States, against 24S las
year, and 33 In Canada, against ~ las
year.