The San Francisco call., 1899-08-28
NOTHING EVER SEEN LIKE IT..

I 7 is queer kind OF prosperity that throws men
out of work, but such is the condition OF things
in one or two lines OF trade to-day. The demand
for finished iron products is immense that the fur
naces have not been able turn out the goods fast
enough to fill their orders, in several branches OF
the industry have had to be laid off until suth-
cent supplies be secured. In fact, nothing like the
present trade activity has been in this coun-
try 1t began year or so ago, and thought to be
the natural reaction after long period OF depression
which would subside after few months; but it still
continues, and is even more pronounced than last
year.
Current figures show this tremendous activity plain
w. The tonnage movement from Chicago during the
past three weeks has been 80 per heavier than last
year and 746 per cent heavier than in 1892, the year
preceding the panic The bank clearngs OF the coun-
try have exhibited a marked gain every week this
year sometimes running up to 80 per cent over 1898
Every week. too the failures have been smaller than
for the week last year The gratifying feature OF
all this prosperity is that it is accompanied by very
little speculation being in fact the result OF enor-
nous demand for goods all over the United States
This demand is srikngly illustrated in the clothing
trade leading clothiers reporting that the people
not only buying more clothes than for long time
but buying a expensive class OF fabrics
There can be better proof of widespread prosperity
than this
The weekly commercial reports last week abounded
in illustrations OF the unprecedented demand for mer-
chandise of all descriptions. Iron and Steel notwh-
standing the recent advances, continue point up
ward under an inquiry fully as eager as at any time
during the past year, while lumber, WOOL leather,
boots and shoes and of the other staples
rule firm at full figures. Practically all the industries
months behind the requirements for actual
use and in few the output for year ahead has
been sold. The fall demand is showing remarkable
expansion particularly in the Northwest, while the
great corn belt OF the West in high feather over an
enormous crop at fair prices The only drawback at
present is a drought in the Southwestern cotton
States notably Texas The cattle raisers are in
clover for present prices for beef have been equaed
in Chicago only five times in twenty-five years, and
there 100000 less beef cattle in the United
States than there years ago. In fact, it
is said that there fewer cattle in the country now
than since 1882 Certainly long since prices for
beef and mutton have been high as they are now
while hogs keep up to &c in the San Francisco mar
ket with pertnacity which surprises the packers.
All these conditions tell the tale Of the current pros
perty. We be in of these epochs familiar
to readers OF history, when the land seems flowing
with milk and honey. On this coast the principal
expression OF the prevailing good times is the lack
OF farm hands to harvest the grain and fruit crops
This complaint has been heard ever since the harvest
began, and is something unique in agriculture
Wages have advanced in proportion, but the prices
o: most farm products are good that the
farmer is making more money at the high labor rate
than he did when he getting men for very low
pay.
When business is active both in city and coun-
try, it is difficult to point out where the principal
activity lies Suffice it say that for many years
and the best feature of is that is likely to continue
eo ind