The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-27
BUSINESS BRISK Again.

- HE blizzard in the East having subsidized bust
ness has resumed its normal proportions. This
is shown by the bank clearings, which ex-
hibited a gain for the week OF 37-7 per cent over
the same week in 1893. Baltimore showed an
increase of 1905 per cent and New YORK one
of 48 per cent. Pittsburg, the seat OF the iron
industry made handsome gain OF IS per cent
Only three cities OF Importance recorded loss-San
Francisco, 237 per cent; Kansas City, lis per cent,
and New Orleans, 25.2 The loss in San Francisco
was doubtless due to the prolonged dry weather,
which renders merchants cautious and dlsncl1ned to
undertake any new ventures until they favorable
times ahead.
Supporting the cheerful showing of the bank ex-
changes there is the exhibit OF failures, which were
IoI against 233 for the week in 1898. so, as
far as these barometers of trade are concerned
business is making fine exhibit
But there seems to be incipient lull ahead
What it will amount to it is impossible to say now
1t may not amount to anything and it may assume
visible proportions 1t is threatened check to
export trade in consequence OF the rise in prices IN
some commodities. This is already apparent in the
iron trade prices of which up to the parity OF
foreign markets, and OF the business which we
have hitherto enjoyed has gone abroad in conse-
quence OF this. Our domestic demand for iron and
steel however, is immense and may be sufficient to
keep the market active with loss OF some for
business, but II II SnOuQ SnSIl
ing in quotations would doubtless bring the foreign
demand back again No anxiety this score is
shown by the manufacturers especially the works
are still crowded with orders reaching months ahead
In any event however, the American merchants
will not let the foreign trade slip out Of their hands
if they can help it Already the boot and shoe manu-
facturers have taken time by the forelock and are
cutting prices 21a cents to keep the trade Other lines
may have to follow.
Wall street showed some weakness during the
week and there pronounced disposition to raid
the market, but values made no serious break. The
sotness was probably the regularly recurrent
tor after a marked advance
The local situation is quiet. Business is fair and
the merchants are not complaining more than usual
but it lacks snap The continued dry weather. while
not thus far alarming, is sufficiently protracted to
render everybody economical and careful about the
future The situation has got to the gambling point
If it rains within a few days the State will probably
harvest very large crop of grain, which mil
lions to it. but if the rain holds off fortnight longer
it will come too late for important districts and
it is here that the gamble lies The dry weather hav
ing apparently become CHRONIC nobody has felt like
spending any more money than he possibly help
and this makes trade dull all over We do not need
great deal of rain to mature the grain crop but we
need some very soon.
The principal fluctuations of late have been in the
eating line. Meats OF all kinds have gone up, and
cured provisions have advanced in sympathy with the
raw goods. To cap the climax the humble Goldfish
has suddenly become scarce all the United States
and has gone up in regular mining stock way, to
the dismay of housekeepers. Every few days some
eatable or other goes up and it is beginning to cost
something for board
Real estate feels the effect of the dry weather and
is dull both in city and country 1t is still good
asset however and easiIy commands loans at tbe old
Money continues plentiful and collections are
up to the average at this season of the year There
have been no large failures for some time and the
small not numerous. Local business is
helped along by Government orders for the Philip
pines and the downtown streets exhibit their usual
activity, so we in pretty good commercial shape
! after all