The San Francisco call., 1899-07-31
HALCYON TIMES IN TRADE.

= ENERAL trade continues without especial lea
7 ture Conditions established long ago still
~ prevail and from one shore of the country to
the other there is but report OF continuous pros
perty. The bank clearings for the past week showed
a gain OF 432 per cent over the same week in 1898
and Milwaukee and Buffalo were the only two cities
Of importance to exhibit falling off. The failures
were 49, against 225 for the corresponding week in
1903 This story is repeated with such unyarying mo-
uotony week after week that it no longer excites re-
mark. We are getting so accustomed to prosperity
that we accept it as q matter OF course.
The staples have not abated whit of their firm
ness Lumber is firm and the demand is active
that building operations reported hndered IN con
sequence Dry goods continue in active fall demand
and woolens are also moving off we'll. The
facturers are purchasing wool freely in conse-
quence OF the improved call for the manufactured
product. Cotton goods stronger rule, in
spite of cheap cotton and the market is in fair shape
The leather market is characterized by scarcity OF
stock. and at Chicago combination OF packers has
advanced the price OF hides that many
leaving that market. Boots and shoes sympathize
with the irnness in leather and hides and the ship
ments in July were the heaviest ever known. The
iron industry continues to make brilliant showing
Though the output of pigron during the first half OF
1900 was the heaviest known it insufficient
for the immense demand, and the stock on hand to-
nt this time last year In addition the product for the
last half Of the year is said be all booked. The
glass trade is also in fine condition. said be the best
for many years. And thus it goes all along the line
Conditions in California like those in the East,
remain unchanged, With the exception of hay ali
farm products are in good demand at remuneratve
prices While grain is not high, the quotations. tax
ing the cereal markets as whole above the nor
NAL while the demand is generally good. Fruit is
still bringing fancy prices and the usual midsummer
glut in fresh fruit is as pronounced as usual owing
to the enormous shipments to the Eastern markets.
which have removed much OF the surplus. The can
ming demand is also sharp and much Of the output
Ct California canned fruit sold to the East and
Europe before the fruit ripe. AS for the dried
product the fall prospects brilliant quotations for
most descriptions being high with promise OF fur
ther advance later 1t may be years before we
have another such fruit year Hops in active re-
quest fine prices but the growers generally
fusng to sell Wool keeps up and is very firm, while
the livestock market is all that could be desired by
the most exacting stock raiser. The activity in pro-
visions continues and every few days there an ad-
vance in something other.
Wholesalers in general merchandise report steady
and active business and there complaints about
croft margins The export trade of the port is lively
and exporters still complaining of the dearth of
vessels to carry away the goods A further advance
III lumber sufficiently indicates the state Of this indus
try. In short, business is what it ought to be:
active, without undue speculation with prices which
admit OF fair and sure profit. These are halcyon
times in trade and we should make the best OF them
for commerce, like man, has its periods of elevation
and depression, and the wise man makes hay while
the shines