The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-26
THE CONDITION OF TRADE
Strength in Prices and Steadi-
ness in Demand.
PRICES TENDING UPWARD
Good Reports Received From the North
west - Aggressive Firmness in
Iron-A Big Surplus in
Corn Production.

New York. Aug. 25.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: Strength in prices
and steadiness of demand are still the
salient features of the trade situation.
Iron, steel and other metals, minerals,
leather and cotton goods manifest up
ward tendencies as to prices. Other
staples, with the exception of sugar
and anthracite coal, retain all their old
firmness. Fall demand is expanding
at most markets, particularly good re-
ports being received from the north
west and that portion of the corn
growing country which this year seems
likely to be notable for surplus produc-
ton. Aggressive strength and firmness
is noted in iron and steel, particularly
at central western markets. Consid-
Grafton of next years needs now seems
TO be the most prominent feature of the
trade, aside from complaints of slow
deliveries on nearby orders. Foremost
in advancing is structural material,
which has moved up s. per ton, closely
followed by steel billets. with an adj
vance of SO, and steel rails and nearly
all grades of pig iron, with smaller
relative gains. Other metals show
sympathetic strength. notable in this
respect being tin and lead. Wheat has
been quite firm all the week, partly ow-
ing to a whiting down of northwest
ern estimates, but also due to steady
demand for the cash article alike on
foreign and domestic account. A sud
den cut in prices of refined sugar has
led to the impression that the sugar
war will be reopened in all it's fierce
ness. Additionally strong features in
the trade situation are the active de-
mand for lumber at most. markets at
steady prices and the firmness in the
higher grades of wool, notwithstand-
ing less active buying. A supporting
feature in this latter case, however, is
the active demand reported alike for
mems and WOmen's wear wool goods.
Conditions of supply and demand seem
to be at the bottom Of the recent rise
in beef prices. This advance has at
tracted increased receipts of grass-fed
cattle, and some shading of quotations
is noted. but Chicago prices have only
been equalled five times in % years.
There were nearly 100000 less beef
cattle in the country than there We're
seven years ago, and, in fact, there
were fewer cattle in the country now
than in any year since 1892 Reflection
of the smaller supply of hides and of
the active demand for boots and shoes
is found in higher quotations for hem
lock sole leather a some markets. One
of the least satisfactory situated trades
is that of anthracite coal, in which pro-
duction appears to have outstrip-
ped consumption again. and there is
complaint of price cutting.
Wheat. including flour shipments,
for the week aggregate 3.343,S25 BUSH
els, against 1910, 600 bushels last week:
3,563.4 76 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1898: 5,154, 653 bushels in 1897:
32s1,S 54 bushels in 1896, and 1871 1928
bushels in 1895. Since July LIST this
season, the exports of wheat aggregate
90. $685. 1894 bushels, against %, 006.552
bushels last year and 26,5S2, 999 bushels
in 1898.
Business failures in the United States
for the week number 175 as against 172
last week and this week a year ago;
210 in 1897; 800 in 1896, and 1870 in 1895.
Business failures in the Dominion of
Canada for the week number 90, as
compared with 20 last week, 81 this
week a year ago, 80 in 1897, 81 in 1896
and AZ in 1895.