The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-14

industrial aad Trade Activity Contins
ues-Price strength Maintained-Con-
tfnued Advance i'm wages-Iron and
steel Trade Excfted-CereaI Exports

New York, March 10.-Bradstreet's
OF tomorrow viii say: Industrial and
trade activity is still a prominent fea-
ture OF the general business situation.
Price strength, too. is notable, especial
ly in the midwinter rise OF February.
except in the case Of n leading cereals
and wool.
In manufacturing lines the situation
is one OF great activity. Additional ad-
vances in wages announced this week
seem likely to- swell the number Of
workers whose wages are reported ad-
vanced 10 close to 49, 00.
The iron and steel trade IS still ex-
cited by reports Of feverish demand
inadequate supplies and further ad-
vancec quotations. Shutdowns for re-
pairs and other reasons have reduced
pig iron output quite materially, and
current production is aid to be con-
sfderably below that of LIST.
The number of old furnaces being fur
nlshed up and put in operation Is
steadlly increasing, but the effect as
yet on production is not very marked.
An easier tendency in wool is one
or the disappointing features of the
week, the outgrowth particularly of un-
satisfactory demand for mems wear
goods, but also a reflection of reports
OF projected combinations in the finish
ed goods trade. The demand for cotton
goods is very active and nearly all
classes are firmly held, though finished
goods nave not advanced to the same
extent as the cruder makes. Cotton re-
mains steady. and the reduced move
ment at the south is making the mini
mum more fashionable.
LunDHr lC AnffEQ a Z Y0nCf m rlyat- 1-l
prices are firm, because of we'll cleaned
up stocks.
a and refined sugar have alike
cause of u~nfavorable Cuban crop adj
cause of nufavorable Cuban crop ad-
vices and also in sympathy with the
Improvement going on in European
beet markets. Refined has been mark
ed up, Notwithstanding the rade war
now going on.
Wheat is weaker, Notwithstanding
crop damage reports, and other cereals
are in sympathy Herewith. chiefly be-
cause of the growth Of bearish views
of supplies held by farmers and a ten
dency to discount the generally ex-
pecLed neavy government estimates of
wheat in farmers hands.
reports from leading markets east
and west are of an active spring lob
ping demand particularly for dry
goods, but shared in by clothing, shoes
and other staples.
Wheat, including flour, shipments
for the week aggregate 4.39S, S21 BUSH
els, against 5,S15, 5S5 bushels last week.
4,4S4,161 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1898, 1889, 4S2 bushels in 1897.
2'aO2,2O9 bushels in 1896 and 2,791, 1860
bushels in 1895. Since July LIST, this
season the exports of <wheat aggregate
iI3,!ll,155 bushels, against 16S, 941, 514
bushels last year. /.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
< < A n n hI1Chn1 ~ = n ooo .
els last week, 1926, O56 bushels in this !
week a year ago, 5,310,514 bushels in
1897, 1,lOS,67S bushels in 1896 and SS2.-
9o6 bushels in 1895. Since July 1st this
season corn exports aggregate III. 242.- !
ez' bushels, against 122, sos, 795 bushels !
curing the same period a year ago..
Business failures for the week num-
per III as compared with 40 last week.
~ In this week a year ago, 227 in 1897
2S3, in 1896 and 262 in 1895.