Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-27
BRApsrREET's REVIEW OF TRADE
Signs of Activity and Prosperity
Outnumber Contrary Omens.

Sirns of Activity and Prosperity
Outnumber Contrary Omens.
NEW YORK, May 26.-Bradstreets on
tomorrow will say:
Favorable features OF current trade stlll,
as for long time past, largely outnumpeF
those of an opposite character. Wholesale
distribution is naturally less active as the
season advances, but comparisons with last
year are still very satisfactory. Much is
hoped for from better weather conditions
stimulating retail trade, hitherto held IN
check by the backward spring season. In
dustrial activity is widespread and the prices
of most staples are either very hrm or tend
ing upward, except in the case OF products
affected by weather conditions. That often
relied upon barometer of general business
condition, the iron and steel trade, reports
increasing rather than decreasing activity,
Notwithstanding the approach OF warm
weather. In some lines, in fact, the situa-
tion is becoming rather excited. The pres
sure of consumptive demand really seems
likely to either do away with entirely or
shorten very apprecably the summer shut
down period Features in this trade are
very heavy buying by heavy interests in
the central west, advances in prices OF all
grades of pig iron and many varieties OF
the more finished products, and predictions
OF still higher prices to come, coupled with
denials by leading interests or the corner
in the market for crude pig Indications
done or offered is far in advance of all pre-
vious records. Export trade is feeling the
check, due not entirely TO advancing prices
however, but to actual inability to take new
business at any price.
The market for manufacturers of cotton
is a good second to that of iron and steer,
strength being a feature in nearly all
branches and a number of advances being
registered for the week. The raw product,
however, reflects little of this strength,
though the advance in finished products
may be taken to have offset slightly i'm
proved crop conditions, result OF needed
rain.
Wool is rather less active, so far as new
business is concerned, but reflects recent
heavy speculative buying and relatively
higher prices at interior points than at the
seaboard in firm quotations.
The demand for lumber and building ma
terials generally continues unabated and
there is talk of brick manufacturers follow
ing examples set by other trades and com
bining to regulate output.
Raw sugar is firm and the opening OF the
fruit season gives confidence in steady
prices for the refined article, Boots and
shoes hold recent advances and hides and
leather are firm in sympathy.
The trade situation is, however, not en-
tirely without its drawbacks. Reports from
winter wheat become increasingly unfaYor-
able conservative estimates pointing to
l00,O00,000 bushels smaller crop, owing TO
insect damage, and near futures are higher
on the week Export trade in several lines
is smaller than of late partly owing TO less
urgent demand for our food supplies and
partly to smaller shipments OF manufac-
tured goods. Wheat Cncluding -FOUR ship
ments for the week aggregate 3,lSS,3l9
bushels against 2212,206 bushels last week
4309, 1873 bushels in the corresponding week
Of 1898, 2O81,326 bushels in 1897, 2,O64950
bushels in 1896 and 2,426,677 bushels in
1896
Since July l. this season, the exports of
wheat aggregated 20S ,469,37S bushels against
210,S96,97S bushels last year
Corn exports for the week aggregate
3S45Sls bushels against 2753,4l4 bushels
last week, 6,164 i5l bushels in this week a
year ago, 2,1s5,933 bushels in 1897, LEO 1893
bushels in 1896 and l.O40,S42 bushels in
1895.
Since July /. this season. corn exports