The age-herald., 1899-01-28
DUN'S WEEKLY
 REVIEW OF TRADE The Country in Stronger Position Than
 Last Neck. CONFIDENCE IN BUSINESS The Chief Element, Supported by Strength
 Of Industries. ANALYSIS OF THE MANY MARKETS Pig Iron Has Risen in Chicago on Ac- count of Higher Freight Rates
 From the South Cotton
 Little Stronger.
ANALYSIS OF THE MANY MARKETS

New York, January FIR. G. Dun & Co.'S. weekly review of trade will say tomorrow:
 The country is in stronger position than a week ago. Remarkable strength in its industries is an important, but not the chief element. Public confidence in the business of the country and its securities has been tested to an unusual extent by the sudden fall in stocks and the subsequent rise. Con- fidence in the value of wheat, corn and cotton has been shown by the markets and at rising prices the world buys because it has to buy.
 The vast supply of uemployed capital has been shown impressively and the new and startling independence of foreign money markets fixes attention The lumber move- ment is unusually large for the season, with prices of low grades sharply adyanc- ing. Railroad earnings and tonnage have shown surprising gains. Treasury receipts are gaining and a vote on the peace treaty has been fixed for February 6.
 The Weak Points
 The weak points in the situation may nrst be considered. Wool grows weaker forced by speculation year ago to prices which the market for goods did not sustain and has been much embarrassed in trying to sustain ever since. Western bankers be- gin to advise speculative holders to sell Goods are in much greater demand because prices fairly proportioned to the reduction or about 10 per cent. in wool since a year ago have been made in important openings The sales of wool are still small manufac- turers buying al Philadelphia where prices are yielding rather than at Boston where great efforts are made to sustain them but the goods movement for heavy weights is stili disappointing and comparatively slow Larger orders for light weights keep many works employed. Sales for the week have 6,4OS,40O pounds and for four weeks 1899 200 against 30, ,421 ,070 last year and 26 5i7 60O two years ago.
 Cotton is higher A cent and goods have been strong. Belief that damaged cotton VIII cut down the yield helps increased de- mands Tor goods to raise prlces for both.
 Cotton Receipts Light
 The receipts are light; cotton growers nave seen rise of over one cent per pound from the lowest point to tempt them Prices nave risen on many goods, about 4, per cent. on reported qualities against 50 Der cent. on raw cotton and the consuming demand is strong.
 Pig sron has risen at Chicago because of higher frefShts from the south and at P1ttsburg Q shade for Bessemer and grey forge because of growing demand, but for the moment the rise of 2 per cent in pig is exceeded by the rise of 20 Der cent in products. The pressure for many products is such that the works are able to make their own quotations and rails and bars at Pittsburg and wire nails have slightly ad- vanced. The demand is heavy in all lines covering 30,0OO tons daily on contract for southwestern road and many of smaller quantity; 20,00O tons bars and many for a less quantity covering 5000 steel cars for the Baltimore and Ohio, with other ship car and miscellaneous contracts; numerous bridge contracts with pending from Canada and others from all parts of the world; 10000 tons sheets at Pittsburg, with heavy business elsewhere and a general de- mand never surpassed. Nails are advanced by the combination. pipe works are crowded and negotiations are Tn progress for their consolidation as also in bridge building.
 Wheat has risen cents with much buying based on extraordinary exports and corn has advanced cents.