Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-25
IS DECIDEDLY Favorable
The Trade Situation Continues to
Gather Strength as Sum-
mer Wanes.
GOOD OUTLOOK THROUGHOUT COUNTRY.
In manufacturing Lines Production
Appears to he mt IL Maximum and
Prices Are Northumberland of
Supplies of Iron and Steel Dccom-
ing Increasingly Serious.

New York Aug. 21.-Bradstreets says:
THE trade situation gathers strength as
summer wanes. Re orts of expanding fall
demand arrive, accompanied by very cheer
full advices as to tn outlook in most parts
of the country In manufacturing lines
production appears to be at maximum
and the price situation retains most of its
old strength. Notoble in the matter of
added strength are most OF the cereals ana
iron and steel in maLy forms. The impetus
given to wheat prices by the government
report last week has been further reen-
forced by less favorable crop advices from
other countries. noti bly, India, and export
business is reported somewhat improved.
Advices as to the corn crop are still as ia
vorable as ever, some states. notably Kan
sas, reporting phen ,menally large yields.
Judging from numerous reports the scarcity
of supplies of iron and steel is be-
coming increasingly serious, supplies OF
structural and shipbulding material being
reported inadequate at number of points.
There Is an appearance of quiet at eastern
markets not shared in, however, by west
ern centers, where sales are reported large
and price advances numerous. The ques-
ton of outlook as to prices seems to be
largely transferred to next year, and liberal
bookings are reported for the first quarter
of 1900.
1.-The advance in boots and shoes seems to
have been felt but little, and the slight gain
in leather prices imparts very firm tone
to hides. Most staples aside from those
mentioned are firm and unchanged on the
week. Lumber still reflects activity in
building, and advances at western markets
are again reported. Current railroad earn
ings show little reflection of the falling Off
In the grain movement and make excellent
comparisons with pr eceding years and the
like is true of net earnings, mentioned else
where"
n. G. Dun g. Co.'s Report.
R. G. Dun & Co., in their weekly review
of trade, say: The Cramps have dis
charged many hundred hands, and ask Rus
STA to extend time for completion of two
warships, because they cannot get the
steel. Completion of 81 out of 81 vessels
1t Is curious experience for this country.
but shows the gigantic expansion of home
demand
mo one can question the fact that pay
ments through the principal clearing houses
have been in August $50 per cent. larger
than in 1897 forthe month thus far, and out
side New York 23.O per cent No better test
of the volume of business is known, but
there is a growing handicap In the advance
of prices. How long and how far this ad-
vance can go without reaction is the prob.
lem which level-headed business men are
studying. Evidences of checked consump.
ton are rare. but 1t would be childish tc
iioPc eihl az SoiHe punt lll6HeE PRIZES WOulu
not hinder buying.
I'm iron the question is of steel billets,
which the great consuming companies have
bought far in advance, so that all new or.
ders have narrow market For siA
months billets have sold at 81 to Sc higher
than the rails made from them. Other de.
mands not covered by contracts, are main.
ly for various shapes and sizes only pre-.
scribed in contracts.
Wheat has advanced about a cent dur.
ing the week, with Atlantic exports only
2.363.302 bushels. flour included, against
3059,3S0 last year, and Pacific exports 951,
1923 bushels. against l75.400 last year West
ern receipts have been only 3.212. III bushels
against 3,S69,22s last year. 1t is a question
whether the smaller receipts are due to re.
cent changes in crop prospects, giving hold.
ers of grain better outlook. Exports OF
wheat in three weeks have been from both
coasts, flour included, 9,973,764 bushels
against 10,114,246 bushels last year, and the
western receipts have been II 1864, 696 bush.
els, against 9,015,1S9 last year, but 1t Is also
significant that corn has risen three. eighths
of a cent, with receipts of 3,O26, 692 bushels
for the week, against S,5l4162 last year
while the exports have been 4, 034, 1902 bush.
els. against 2,37O.3 1902 last year The figures
clearly do not indicate material decrease
in foreign demand on the whole although
for wheat it Is somewhat smaller than ap
peared in July.
Failures for the week have been In tn,
United States 1885, against 1854 last year, and
In Canada "a, against II last year"