The San Francisco call., 1899-09-04

= HE farm and the factory are not exactly mana
in hand at present. Theformer is tagging some
what while the latter is advancing with great
strides 1t is not that the farm IS not prosperng but
the factory is booming The industries, which were
REGARDED with an askant eye by the New York bank
ers early in the current year have more than re-
deemed the promises made then, and enjoying
degree OF prosperity never before seen. Manutac-
ured articles are continually rising in price, while Of
late the tendency in some OF the important farm
products has been rather downward than otherwise,
owing exclusively to the abundance OF the crops
Some lines such as fruit and wool, are active at
good prices but cereals have lately been weak Raw
cotton too, has weakened off, owing to rain IN the
South though the condition OF the Texas crop IS
still far from satisfactory. These about the only
exceptions to the almost general record OF the lively
markets.
Iron and steel. of course lead all other products
in activity and strength and the demand for them con-
tinues unabated Foreign countries ordering
American locomotives and bridges, while the domestic
demand is simply immense good part OF the pro-
ductiye capacity OF the country for the first half Of
1000 being already engaged 1t was thought several
months ago, that there would be halt in this de-
mand but it is as excited as ever. Add this the
continued irmness in hardwood lumber, and it will
readily be that everything made OF iron and
wood is likely to be high from
Cotton and wooen fabrics scored another advance
in August under brisk call for goods Hides and
leather and boots and shoes reported selling
quickly at firm prices, though keen competition in the
two latter descriptions keeps the margin OF profit
down to narrow limit Reports OF an expected ces-
sation OF hemp shipments from the Philippines has
advanced the prices OF rope and other hempen prod
ucts Lumber retains its former activity and firm
ness In fact the industrial situation is in excep-
tionally fine fette. employment being general and
strikes few and unimportant.
The country's bank cearings continue to show 4
gain over 1893 though the increase has been less pro-
rounced OF late Last week it was I39 per cent,
Omaha being the only city of importance to exhibit
a decrease. Failures the smallest for a long
time, being only I3I, against 164 for the week
last year.
Locally there is no halt. The export business of
San Francisco is still so active that everybody is
grumbng over the lack OF vessels. The hay mer-
chants have large orders for the Hawaiian Islands
which cannot be filled through want OF freight room
on the vessels engaged in the island trade and this is
but OF many instances. The local cattle market
is still distinguished by high prices for all meats and
the importation of nineteen OF hogs from Ari-
zona the other day produced no effect whatever on
the market The fruit gut is over and prices for can
ring fruit have bounded back to their previous high
level while dried fruits and raisns feeling the
effect of steady demand for the East and abroad.
As for canned fruit. OF this seasons output
sold months ago. Wool and hops are selling at good
prices and only the cheapness OF hay and grain de-
from the general prosperity of the farmer AS
for merchandise the local merchants are doing a
larger wholesale business than for years, and every
few days advance in something or other is an
nounced 1t is the best year in general trade that we
have had since 1892.