The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-11-01
TRADE REVIEW.
Boer War Has decreased The Balance OF Trade
Due This Country.

| r. G.. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of
trade reports as follows for last week:
Fears and not facts, made a war in
South Africa seem IA menace to pros
perity here, and a week of conflict has
| cleared away the fears. British mar
kets for securities have been helped by
the belief that mining shares would
| be worth more with no Boer control in
mining regions, and large purchases
| here of ammunition, packed meats and
other army food have swelled the ball
ance due this country.
| Money markets have grown less en-
| barrassing, stocks have gradually ad-
vanced, Industries are still supported
by volume of demand for which no
precedent can be found, and payments
through the principal clearing houses
| for the past week have been 1866 per
cent larger than last year and 57.3 per
| cent larger than in 1892 SO great an
Increase shows the net result of many
and potent forces making for public
prosperity.
The heaviest transactions in steel
| rails ever made so early cover 1900 900
| tons for next years delivery, or two
thirds OF the entire annual capacity of
the works. The Pennsylvania Is said to
have taken 100000 tons at $33. but all
| the leading railroads made large pur-
| chases, and the price was then ad-
vanced to $35 per ton, the same works
having been delivered during the past
| year at SIS to $19
Great contracts for material follow,
one concern having bought 100. 900 tons
bessemer pig at Pittsburg for 1928, while
$24 90 is paid for early deliveries, and
$4,000 tons billets were sold to one con-
cern there and 10000 at Wheeling,
s3S 30 being quoted, with slabs at $3.50 so
and sheet bars at s3G. Such transac-
tions only show the general belief that
high prices will run far into next year.
For structural work many orders ap-
pear, including some OF consequence for
the East and for Cuba, and in bars
the car and implement demand makes
the Chicago market very strong, but at
Pittsburg works anxiety for future
contracts has depressed the price to
2.l5 cents, and in plates some works
have nearly caught up with contracts
and are accepting 2,75 cents. Sheets
are also weaker. 305 being quoted at
Pittsburg, as the proposed combina ton
seems to have failed.
Markets for minor metals are react
ing. tin having fallen to 1882 cents.
with recovery to Sl.25 cents on Dutch
sales In October, 400 tons larger than
usual, and lake copper is largely Offer
ed at 1877 cents. Lead is shade
lower at 4.51h cents and spelter is de-
moralized and offered at cents Coke
holds strong. shortness of cars hinder
ing deliveries. though more ovens than
ever before are producing. While
shipments of boots and shoes in four
weeks of October have been $50. 500
cases, against S43.S14 cases last year,
and less In any other, reluctance OF
buyers TO pay as much as manufac-
turers ask renders spring orders much
below the average.
Wheat remains practically un-
changed, while Atlantic exports, flour
included. have been 1898, S41 bushels
in four weeks. against 134S3.O56 last
year, and Pacific exports 2.l97.77l
against S,124.306 last year. Western re-
ceeipts fall short and In four weeks
have been only 30,022, ,053 bushels
against 40,l5O.699 last year. Without
concert there is probably some waiting
for better prices by farmers. Corn ex-
ports continue to show the magnitude
Of foreign demand for breadstufls.
reaching H,47S,719 bushels. against g.,
b46,697 last year, and tho demand has
been large enough to advance the price
w cents.