The record-union., 1899-03-11

NEW YORK, March 10.-R. G. Dun
& Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade" VIII
say tomorrow:
BY far the best assurance of good
business in the future is found IN the
good advances ofswages. The general
rise in the earnings Of the cotton mill
operatives in most cases is 10 per cent;
of iron and steel workers generally ~
per cent, and tin-plate and sheet work
ers from 5 to 10 per cent, and of coal
miners in some large districts about as
much. This has set a pace which most
establishments will follow who have
reduced wages in the past years of de-
presjnn.
Those who fail to comprehend what
such a change may mean have only to
consider that tenth increase in the
wages If all labor would put into the
markets a new buying demand in
amount about three-quarters of the en-
tire VALUE of exports to all countries.
The vlume of business shows no
signs of decrease, and for the first full
week of March has been about 81 Il per
cent. greater than the same week of
last year, and 600 per cent. greater
thar in 1892 Most people would not
expect the production of pig iron to
b affected by the weather, yet in the
Pittsburg district alone the furnaces
running are said to have produced 49,
600 tons per week less than their jan
uary output
Copper is scarce for spot at S11.15,
with lead weaker at S4.30.
The wooden manufacturer has been
hampered by doubts about the price of
wool. Now a big combination of
worsted producers has been formed,
with several other combinations pro-
posed in goods of other descriptions, but
these do not encourage buying and the
season looks disappointing. In wool
markets the sales are barely equal to
the ordinary consumption of the mills
dependent upon them, and the prices
are rather weak.
Exports of wheat do not yet fall be-
low last years, as many have for some
months expected; and Atlantic exports.
flour included, have been for the week
1880, 402 bushels, against 2.S90,S79 last
year, and Pacific exports 603 107 bush
els against 1,2S0,61S- last year, with
-other exports of 407, 500 bushels West
ern receipts were 4.071,170 bushels,
against 2,275,S1S for the same week last
year, and the output from the country
goes far to check apprehension as to
deficiency of the crop. The price is
tabout 2 cents lower for spot
Failures for the week have been $50
in the United States. against 24S last
year, and thirty-seven III Canada,
against thirty-six last year.
NEW YORK, March 10-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say:
Industrial and trade activity is still
a prominent feature of the general
business situation. Price strength, too,
is not all. especially in view of the mid
winter rise of February, except in the
case of the leading cereals and wool. In
manufacturing lines the situation is one
of great activity. Additional advances
in wages announced this week seem
likely to swell the number of workers
whose wages are reported advanced to
close to 115,000. The iron and steel
trade is still excited by a feverish de-
mand, inadequate supplies and further
advances in quotations.
An easier tendency in wool is one of
the disappointing features of the week,
the outgrowth particularly of unsat-
isfactory demand for mems wear goods.
Raw and refined sugar have moved
upward.
Wheat is weaker, notwithstanding
crop damage reports. and other cereals
are in sympathy, chiefly because of the
growth to discount the generally eX-
pected heavy Government estimates of
wheat in farmers hands
Reports from leading markets East
and West are OF an active spring job
bing demand. particularly for dry goods,
but shared in by clothing and other
staples. On the Pacific Coast bust
ness is fairly good except at San Fran