The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-15
Expansion in the General Bust.
ness of the Country
Has Never Before Been Equaled,
Says Dun & Co.
DOUBLE LAST YEARS.
The Chief CIez ring Houses Show
an Increase
Of 1898 Per Cent Over the
Same Week in 1898.


Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade says;
There is still increase in all legitimate
business and the productive power or
great Industries increases even though
some of their stocks decline. The sharp
reaction in speculation week ago IN
no way affected the producing capacity
of furnaces or mills, and has been IN
part recovered, while the disturbance
of business caused by the formation OF
great combinations has in large meas
ure ceased. The money market is IN
safer and more wholesome condition,
and in spite of four heavy payments by
large SyndicateS, amounting TO apoul
$50 600, 900, has grown easier The only
stringency has been in call loans.
1t is not owing to speculation alone
that payments through the chief clear
ing houses have been so per cent
larger than in the same week of 1892,
and 1888 per cent larger than last year
New York transactions far exceed those
of any previous week 81, 46S, 5O2, IO9 IN
amount, but outside New York the
clearings were Ais per cent larger than
in 1898, and 446 per cent larger than IN
1892.
The truth is that no such expansion
in the general business of the country
has ever been seen before and II such
records only were considered there
would be ground for fear that wild
passion of trading had again lifted the
whole business community off It's rect.
But instead, there is found surprising
increase in the chief industries. Nam
ing first some of which only returns
of raw materials imported give definite
indications, raw silk imports increased
81 per cent for eight months OF the
fiscal year over last; hides 40 per cent;
India rubber &c; tin p, and hbres ~
per cent.
The output of pig iron April 1 was
245 746 tons weekly against 22S,198 tons
March 1, with 115.118 tons decrease in
stocks unsold and 16,60O tons in war
rant stocks. indicating consumption
in manufacture of 1O56.043 tons in
naces to get into operation, with their
possible output of 10000 tons more
weekly, has helped to keep prices of
pig quite steady, although strong, but
the demand for finished products is far
from satisfied. The Maryland Steel
company has orders for $4,000 tons steel
rails for the Chinese Eastern Plates
have sold at S21O for sheared at Pitts
burg, but the leading mills there and
mills elsewhere are crowded for
months, and many will not quote at all
Large contracts were closed in Struc-
tural works, one for 5000 tons, just be-
fore the advance in prices, but Chicago
orders this week cover 5000 tons bridge
work and everywhere there is much
business in sight.
Bar and sheet mills are hindered by
prospects of consolidation, but though
few orders for bars are taken just now
at the west, the Philadelphia market Is
more steady. Steel bars rose 81 per ton
at Pittsburg; and the heavy demand
for sheet makes prices very irregular
with many orders refused.
The ConnellSVille coke product, 49,
1913 tons for the week, SURPRISES all rec
ords and prices are steady as before
quoted. Lake copper is strong at $3.50
and scarce. and tin went up with Lon
don declining only % per cent.
In spite of some strikes because
wages were not raised much as
hands excepted the cotton industry has
a very good demand and most of the
southern combination of fine goods
makers is proposed, like that of Fall
River mills, which has kept prices quite
steady of late
Wooden mills have begun to buy wool
more largely, though at prices much of
ing demand for goods, with light weight
purchases continuing surprising for the
season. Sales of wool at the three mar
kets have been 16, 792, 900 pounds in two
weeks, against 3,385,000 pounds last
year.
Wheat advanced about half a cent,
accounts of injury discovered since
report. Were the worst of the stories
true, there is yet spring wheat seeding
to make up for deficiencies, though the
season is getting rather late. Exports
have been reduced, Atlantic flour in
cluded, amounting to 1850, $50 bushels
last year, and Pacific to 564, 562 bushels
against 2093, 942 bushels last year, with
other exports S06,377 bushels.
Corn is a shade stronger and in two
weeks exports have been 61S4, 693 BUSH
els, against g. 146 681 bushels last year.
the United States, against 254 last year
Canada