The record-union., 1899-10-21
Though In Some There Are Signs That Buy
ing Has Been Checked.
Prices Are Still Advancing in AL
most Every Line, Supported by
Rising Prices of Materials, and
Works Everywhere Are Still
Crowded to Their Utmost Ca
pacity to Garry Out Contracts.

NEW YORK, Oct. 20.-R. G. Dun C
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade Will
say tomorrow:
In most lines business continues to
expand, though in some there are signs
that buying has been checked either
because prices have outrun the views
OF buyers, or because recent purchases
have been so heavy that nobody is left
in need. Prices are still advancing in
almost every line, supported by rising
prices of materials, and works every
where are still crowded to their ut
most capacity, while at many points it
is found hard to get enough competent
hands. But the volume of business
expressed in values rises much more
than prices, showing a remarkable in
crease in quantities. of goods ex-
changed.
The outbreak of war in South Africa
has brought no such changes as many
feared. In England the markets have
treated it as an event. already over
discounted, and relations with this
country were not appreciably affected.
The outgo of cotton is just now check
ed, but of other great staples and man
mand is surprisingly sustained
Wheat has declined 11Sc in price, in
spite of unfavorable crop reports and
Western receipts do not keep up with
the unprecedented movement of last
year, having been but 23, ,454, 400 bush
els, against 30,592, ,494 bushels during
three weeks of October last year. But
Atlantic exports, flour included, have
been in three weeks of October 10,650,-
FOG bushels, against $3.50, 226 bushels
last year, and Pacific exports 1889, ,1SS
bushels, against 2,2S9,312 bushels last
year. Beyond doubt prices would rise
far and fast with such foreign de-
mand, if official and other current re-
ports Of yield were fully credited. Corn
exports add testimony as to foreign
needs.
Wool has also enlisted a powerful
speculative interest, and sales of H.
293,000 pounds for the week at the
THREE cer.ral markets represent about
twice the consumption. But it is stat
ed that manufacturers, exclusive Of the
American Woolen Company, have been
buying quite freely, and while goods
for mems wear outside of worsteds
were not particularly active, there has
been excellent business in dress goods
Failures for the week have been 145
in the United States, against 221 last
year, and twenty in Canada, against
twenty mine last year
NEW YORK, Oct 20.-"Brad-
streets" tomorrow will say: More
nearly, perhaps, than exer before does
the volume of general trade and indus
try tax existing transportation facili-
ties handling the same. From nearly all
parts of the country, but particurly
from the West and South, come reports
of car scarcity. From both coasts OF
this country come reports of insufficient
tonnage offering to handle goods seek
ing foreign outlet, and freight rates
are considerably higher than they were
a year or more ago. This latter feature
is fact which may have important et-
fects upon our foreign trade during the
balance of the year.
With few notable exceptions prices
continue strong. Some weakness in
wheat prices is directly traceable to
higher freight rates, because of the
partial closing of the door to relief
from growing domestic stocks. Touch
ing the wheat situation. however, 1t
may be said that while present statis-
tics of stocks of domestic and European
are bearish, estimates of the years crop
continue to afford strength to the bulls
position. An average Of five leading
European estimates points to IL world 5
crop this year not far from :, 2,500.000, ,UU0
bushels, and falling off of 325.0U0. 900
to 315000,000 bushels from last year Is
indicated, against which, OF course, is
to be reckoned increased supplies, visi-
bic and invisible, of at least two-thirds
of that amount.
Wheat Qncluding -four shipments for
the week aggregate 4 4160,61S bushels,
against 5,263,634 bushels last week, H.
2S2, 2,S1S bushels in the corresponding
week of 1898, $3.50, III bushels in 1897,
4,067,211 bushels III 1896 and 2.6JS, J5f
bushels in 1895.
Business failures for the week num-
Der 22f as compared with 164 last
week, 213 in this week a year ago ~
in 1897, 292 in 1896 and 30 in 1S9J.