The San Francisco call., 1899-10-30
MORE SPOTTED MARKETS.

+ RADE conditions showed some change last
week. The monotonous reports OF everish
activity everywhere varied by the state
ment that the retail and distribuve trade had fallen
on in localities, accompanied by impaired collec-
tions various points The general business OF the
country large, however, suffered depreciation,
as shown by the gain in bank clearngs, which
352 per cent over 1898 and 57.3 per cent 1892
the year preceding the panic The falling off in indi-
ydua sections was ascribed to the unreasonable hot
weather. which always affects trade and not to any
congestion in merchandise Indeed conditions rather
favor a continuation OF the wonderful activity
than otherwise The money market is decidedly
easier, stocks have lately shown improvement
very large purchases OF provisions and ammunition by
the British Government have sweed the balance due
the United States from abroad while the transactions
in iron and steel the heaviest known early
in the season. amounting to 100000 tons for next
years delivery twohirds the combined capacity OF
the works. In addition the railway earnings are
reported immense and largely those in October
In fact the eastbound traffic from Chicago during the
past month has been double that OF the same month
last year And when it is seen that prices keep up
all along the line there is believe that the
slight falling off in the movement OF merchandise here
and there due to anything else than the unreasonable
warm weather.
The great staples stand about the same as last week
While iron and steel are still at high pressure the
minor metals such as tin lead and "copper" are weak
with increased offerings Cotton is off fraction,
the views OF European buyers below those of
American sellers. Cotton goods, however are excep-
tionally strong, and wooden goods are in active
demand, with further advance predicted Wool itself
is again active, large sales being reported at firm
prices Hides and leather stiff in sympathy with
the recent advances in boots and shoes, while lumber
after brief halt due larger stocks, is again firm
Coffee has ruled firm, with some revival OF the spec
ulative demand. The failures for the week were 100
against 226 for the same week in 1893
Conditions this coast continue brilliant. All
classes of trade active and prosperous and those
large business for months. The export demand for
all sorts OF commodities, both foreign and Govern
ment account better than it is to-day, the
only drawback being a continued scarcity of cars.
Even hay and beans, for months dull and cheap are
now advancing, with enormous Eastern demand
for the latter, and heavy orders for the former on
Hawaiian account Provisions live stock hides WOOL
dried and canned fruits, wine oils, eather-in fact
almost everything that California produces-are more
active than for years. and what is still better, at
unusually high prices The early rains have greatly
enhanced the general confidence in the future and
credits accordingly easy, while there are no COM
plants of collections from any quarter Failures are
few and small rule for when business is as brisk
as at present it is easy matter to meet liabilities
The prediction made early in the year that 1900 would
be the banner year for California is being abundant1v
realized.