The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-22
TRADE OUTLOOK GOOD
BUSINESS SITUATION IS ONE OF
QUIET STRENGTH I'm THE
VARIOUS BRANCHES
ACTIVITY STILL UNABATED
Well Nigh UniversaI Testimony to
Damage Winter Wheat Crop Has
Had Little Eject Upon Prices
That PrevaiI-ImprOved Wealth.
er Conditions Adding Strength to
the Situation.

NEW YORK. April A.-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say: The general business
situation is one of quiet strength, while
industrial lines activity continues I'M
abated. The well-nigh universal testi-
mony to damage of the winter wheat
crop has had surprisingly little effect on
prices, as yet, owing partly to improved
weather conditions Strengthening the
hcpes of larger area in spring wheat,
and, also, to good crop reports abroad,
and increased visible supplies as COM
pared with year ago, encouraging for
e1gn buyers in their neglect Of American
offerings. An enlarged demand for this
ccuntrys manufactures prospects In some
degree counterbalances the falling off in
the value of agricultural exports, notably
cereals and cotton, shown as compared
with year ago. For the month of March
drop of $1S,000,O00 in exports Of brew
stuffs, cotton, provisions, live cattle and
mineral oils has been partly made up
by gain of nearly 100000 In other
products, leaving the net deficiency as
compared with year ago per cent
imports reflect the increased purchasing
power OF the country, the total for March,
In fact. being the largest since May. 1897
For the nine months period exports, as a.
whole, are a little less than double the
Imports
In iron and steel new business Is of
even smaller proportions, a notable ex-
ccpt1on however, being in the line Of wire
goods and nails, on which prices have
been very generally advanced. Quotations
Of pig iron, steel billets and nearly all
the cruder forms are firmly held, while
for many finished products, such as plates
and bars, even higher quotations are ask
ed.
The cotton goods situation is still
strong one. though current demand from
agents Is light. Following the outburst
Of activity in wool. last week, business
has rather fallen off, but values remain
steady. Continued buying of high grades
OF foreign wool for export is reported
Following an advance early in the week
cotton Is quieter, but holds part Of the
advance. The strength of raw sugars is
notable feature. The demand for lum-
Der at wholesale continues good, and
Southern industry seems to be sharing to
the full IN the general prosperity. Leather
and hides are strong, and boots and
shoes hold recent advances.
Wheat including flour. shipments for
the week. aggregate 2,s32s59 bushels,
against 1,9S3,619 bushels last week; $685.
Ioo puSlIelS III lIle corresponding week Of
1893; 1.654,66S bushels in 1897; 1885. 400
bushels in 1896, and 2431 ,634 bushels in
1885, Since July 1, this season, the ex-
ports Of wheat aggregate 1873, 1852, ,17S
bushels, against 191, ,5O3,6Se bushels last
year. Corn exports for the week aggre-
gate 3,091,940 bushels, against 2,666, ,125
bushels last week; 1858, ,4S2 bushels in this
week year ago; 4,769,315 bushels in 1897;
e81, 2O6 bushels in 1896, and 4S2, 800 bushels
In 1895. Since July this season corn ex-
ports aggregate 139, ,O37, ,744 bushels, against
1924 bushels during the same period
year ago.
Business failures show a notable falling
off from those of last week, aggregating
iS7, against 24S in the preceding week, 224
in this week year ago, 216 In. 1897 24O
ins1s96 and 223 in 1895. Business failures in
the Dominion number 80, against rs last
week, Is in this week a year ago, q in
1897, sS In 1896 and 80 in 1895.