Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-22
BUSINESS SITUATION.
ACTIVITY CONTINUES UNABATED
IN INDUSTRIAL LINES.
(By Telegraph to virginian-Pnot


New York. April 21.-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say:
The general business situation is one
of quiet strength, while in Industrial
lines activity continues unabated. The
we'll nigh universal testimony of dam
age 10 the winter wheat crop has had
surprisingly little effect on prices as
yet, owing partly to improved weather
conditions strengthening the hopes of
larger area In spring wheat. and al
so TO good crop reports abroad and In
creased visible supplies as compared
with year ago encouraging foreign
buyers in their neglect of American
offerings.
An enlarged demand for this coun-
try's manufactured products in some
degree counterbalances the falling off
in the value OF agricultural exports
notably cereals and cotton. shown as
compared with Il year ago. For the
mouth OF March a drop of SIS. 000, 900 ii,
exports of bread SUITS, cotton, pro-
visions, live cattle and mineral oils hae
been partly made up by a gain OF
nearly $l0.000000 in other products.
leaving the net deficiency as compared
with year ago seven per cent.
Imports reflect the increased purchas-
ing power OF the country, the total for
March. i'll fact being the largest since
May, 1897. For the nine months period
exports, as whole, are Il little less
than double che imports.
In iron and steel new business is of
even smaller proportions, notable eX-
ceptlon however, being in the line of
wirc goods and nails, ON which prices
have been very generally advanced.
Quotations of pig iron. steel billets and
nearly all OF the cruder forms are
firmly held, while for many finished
products. such as plates and bars. even
higher quotations are asked. Mills and
furnaces are reported crowded With
business on earlier orders, and the dis
position of buyers to delay placing
their business for the latter part of the
year is reported as viewed with equi-
nmity.
The cotton goods situa ton is still a
strong one, though current demand
from agents is light. Heavy orders
booked for gray goods some time ago
make for strength in this line, but con-
Neriers complain that finished goods
have not advanced proportionatcly. Re
tail distribution of staple products had
weather, thus encouraging hopes of flu
ture good recorders from Wholesale
hands. Following the outburst of activ-
lily in wool last week business has rath-
er fallen off, but values remain steady.
Continued buying of high grades of
and there is some talk OF high grade
American woods being bought for ship
ment to England. Following an advance
carly i'll the week. due to good foreign
adViceS and smaller than expected crop
movement, cotton is quietcr. but holds
part of the advance. The strength of
raw sugars is u notable feature. Abroad
quotations of beet sugar have been ad-
Nanced, While the Cuban yield is not eX-
pectcd TO be large, and Bradstrcet'S ad-
n l,..tf
average crop being grown in louisiana
Raw sugar is higher on the week but
refined lags behind, though consump-
tion is enormous. The demand for
lumber ut wholesale continues good.
and the Southern industry seems TO he
eharing to the full in the general pros
perity. Retailers. however,. report buy
crs slow to pay the advanced quota
lions.
Leather and hides are strong. and
boots and shoes hold recent advances.
w at. including -four. shipments for
the week. aggregate 2.9S2,959 bushels
against l9S3,G19 bushels last week: b.
800. LOG bushels in the corresponding
week Of 1898; 1,s5i, 66S bushels in 1897.
1,l9s, 400 bushels in 1896. and 2,i3l ga
bushels in 1895.
Since July this season the exports
of wheat aggregate 1913. 262 us bushels
against 19l SOB CSC bushels last year.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
1901. $40 bushels against 2.6G6. l25 bush :
els last year. 1893, iS2 bushels in this
week year ago; 4.769.3i5 bushels in
1897; 9Si,206 bushels in 1896. and $4,000
bushels in 1895.
Since July 1 this season corn exports
aggregate 1SS,047,744 bushels against
IA. 123.324 bushels during the same pc
Rod a year ago.
business failures show notable fall
ing off from those Of last week, a3grc-
eating 1877 against 2i3 in the preceding
week. 224 in this week year ago, 2iG
in 1897 2i0 in 1896, and 223 in 1895.
Business failures in the Dominion OF
Canada number 80 against % last
week: II in this week n year ago; %
i'm 1Sg7 81 in 1876 and 20 in 1895