The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-07-22
Host Wonderful Year In The Ma.
tons Commerce.
Western Crops Report
Most Encouraging
Three Years of Progress and No
Signs of Hating.

New York, July 21.--R.G. Dun s. Co.
say:
Optimism is always popular but more
than half the time dangerous. Seven
years of haltiug and reaction historically
follow three years Of rapid progress. But
the three Of progress have not yet passed
and the most cautious search discloses no
sign Of hating.
Official returns of the most wonderful
year in the nations commerce show a
decrease OF $50, 300. 600 In value of the
great staples exported. but an increase Of
about $50, 600 Geo in other exports. mostly
manufactures. Imports greatly increased
In raw materials for manufacture, but
materially decreased In most other pro-
ducts. In July exports of staples have
begun to Increase with much less increase
in imports than has appeared fer months
In the exports of the manufactured pro.
ducts. continued and heavy excess Of
merchandise exports Is foreshadowed, and
the ablest foreign journals admit as the
course Of security markets during recent
troubles abroad clearly shows that Eu-
rore can no longer expect to pay In Anne
rioan stocks Curious operations in en-
change, based ON stocks and bonds de-
posted az security disclose belief of hrck-
srs that IL will pay to bs on the snort
side.
Fears Of deficient crors has beea buried
under western receipts from farms,
amounting TO i3.s6l, 0i6 bushels wheat
for the month thus far, against 3,773, los
last year, and Is. sss, 655 bushels corn,
against 6.o1S3i5 last year. Traders have
at last walked up to perceive that farmers
do not pour out grain In this fashion
when crops are scanty.
Exports of wheat. Atlantic and Pacific,
have been 7,7t9,lss bushels during the
month thus far, against 1899. 800, last
year, and u corn, 9,0e3,04 against 8,
,097, SAT last year. Prices declined sharp
sy with assurance Of ample supplies. wheat
30 ami earn IA, which Is the more sig.
niflcan in view OF the previous heavy ex-
ports OF both. Cotton also is going abroad
largely, though the price remains 6. 100.
Pig iron has not Ldsaneed this week,
but mainly finished products, steel rails
TO $50 at pittsburg; 5iiists to 81; sseet
bars TO $3.50; sheets Co So at Pittsburg,
and cut wire nails both s. per ton.
The American tin Plata settled with It's
hands hy grantIn; Is par cent moro wages
end raised the price of plates $40 per
box. Still demands do not aeate, though
works have to refuse many orders In
plates one large order for iipment to
B . Clydeiwas received; In bars less urgen.
cy OF demand appears at the East, but iu
she Is works are about filled for the year
and in structural shapes. besides $500
tons. for bridges ami 1900 for buildings
at Chicago, proposal Ia reported Tor 5000
IONS 60 build palace for the Mikndo OF
Japan.
Mere furnaces are added to the produe-
ing list each week, and SO iron mines
have Teen added this year. though the
supply of ere is still short.
Wool Is still advancing, Coates Bros.
circular of the 15sh, showing a raise o I
alec since May 18th. speculation being
particularly active In fine wool because
IL is rising abroad though In less demand
for manufacture here than combiug and
medium grades. At the three markets
35,956. 100 pounds have been sold In three