Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-28
THE BUSINESS SITUATION.

Bradstreet's, in last weeks issue,
says that satisfactory trade and
price conditions apparently still reign.
Steady demand for export and con-
fidence in all OF this years wheat crop
being needed, have proved stimulating
in the face of heavy receipts and ad-
mittedly large present supplies Pos
sibility of war in the Transsaal, too,
has been IN additionally Strengthening
feature. Iron and steel sre higher On
moderate volume of new business,
and the steady placing of orders indi-
Gates confidence In present values well
on into the middle of next year. Pig
iron, however, is nearer q parity with
consumption, tho ultimate effects of
enhanced quotations upon demand are
not yet settled, and imports from
abroad while not likely to be of heavy
volume immediately, are feature
which may have to be dealt with next
year. The scarcity of beef cattle is
rafected in still higher prices. and
strength is shown in domestic hides,
which also feel the impetus of steady
demand from manufacturers of leather.
| No signs of abatement in the sugar
war are to be seen, price cutting is
active and prices are demoralized.
Other groceries, however, are firm, as
are most other lines, with the ex-
ception of cheese and tin, which note
some easing in price FROM the recent
| advance.
Bank clearings reflect further ex-
pansion 10 an aggregate of 81, 1913,
966, 900, l0.7 per cent larger than those
of last week. 43 per cent in excess OF
those of the same week one year ago,
80 per cent larger than those of 1887,
III per cent larger than those of 1896
and from 30 to l3o per cent heavier
than in corresponding weeks from 1885
to 1898 inclusive. business failures for
the week number LAT, ms compared
with 149 last week, 1se in this week a
year ago, 237 in 1897, 32l in 1886 and
l9S in 1895. -
R. G. Dun & Co.'S Review says
Products used IN manufacturing and
transporting have advanced much more,
because of the enormous increase in
volume of business done and in antici.
| pating business for the future. Higher
prices cause shrinking demand, othel
things being equal, but this year Other
things are not equal Perhaps war pos
sibilities abroad had something to dc
with pressure in stocks, but the great
body of street car and industrial stock:
carried on loans had much more. L
had become evident that somebod,
would be found to buy as long as any
body would lend the money to bul
with, and transfers to stronger hand
could be effected only through
liquidation at lower prices. Railroad
earnings were cheering in the first hal
of September, 10. l per cent larger thai
last year, and 1873 per cent larger thar
in 1892, all classes gaining over boti
years. Eastbound tonnage from Chi
cago, largely owing to the grain move
ment, has been 1l8 per cent larger thai
last year and SIG per cent larger thai
in 1892.
Wheat exports fall a little beloy
last years, but In three weeks, fiou
included, have been Se.656, ST. bushel
from Atlantic ports, against 1898, %
last year, and 1,02l, 298 from Pacifi
ports, against 907, sol last year. Blu
Western receipts have been q, 1853, So
bushels against 23,029, $40 last year
and even more impressive are the re
ceipts of 1855, 932 bushels corn
against Hit, 4S3 last year, and tn
exports of 9,20l, 427 bushels, agains
5,943, 966 last year. Prices moved littl
either way until Friday, when shar
advance made week gain Ia. Furthe
government reports have been SO ia
credited abroad that cotton has rise
to 6.62 cents, but it comes forwar
more freely than in years of maximum
crops