The Portland daily press., 1899-02-04
rPIplMIos OF TRUSTS.
pnn g Co. rbink the Matter .. Reinx
Overdope.

New York, February ar g. Dun
& Go. weekly review OF trade tomorrow
will say;
Failures In January were smaller than
In any previous month except August,
1895, and July, 1897. The misunderstanding
failures were the smallest excepting
August, 1898. There were only seven
failures for 500, 900 or more, and the
average of liabilities per failure is smaller
than In January of any other year. Con-
siderinR that January is usually one Of
the largest months Of the year in failures,
the return is surprising as well as encour-
aging.
There Is an epidemic of cancellations.
Never before have so many organiza
tiops OF that sort been In tperation or In
progress. While ignorant prejudice con.
dennis all, though many are beneficial, It
seems probable that the business II is at
present being overdone
The most remarkable feature of the
week has been the decline of tive cents in
wheat, with only half n cent in corn aud
only a sixteenth In cotton. The govern
ment estimate of that wheat crop, 60, =
600, 600 bushels has more influence than
any other from that source for number
of ears because 10 Is recognized as the
result Of great efforts TO get at the truth
aud IL therefore considered about the low
est estimate admissible. With ordinary
consumption and present exports of $780,
COO COO bushels from the crop of 1928,
flour included, there will be less than
100, 600, 900 bushels for replenishment of
stocks, for farmers holdings and for ex-
ports In the next five months, and the
exports of 4,gia, 436 bushels, -four included
81 Il z A ar
year, and 1876 GOA from Pacific ports
against 776 $40 last year. BESIDES 800, SOB
from Duluth and Portland, Me-. shows
stress OF foreign demand which may
well excuse some recovery In prices.
A very strong market for cotton goods
has prevailed and prevents raw cotton
from declining. The advance In goods
has been unusual and is sustained by
heavy buying especially of print cloths
and kindred products, The prospect Is
that the outgo will place dsalers and
manufacturers in n stronger position than
Trey held for ye ars. with smaller stocks
OF goods unsold. A better tone appears ip
the wooden goods mar ket also, with some
important grades which were opened at
great reduction In prices recently ad-
yanoed which has stimulated the de
mand for all grades. Sales of wool have
been fairly large, 80. 752, 400 pounds for
the year thus far against 10. 7o2, 40 last
year
Ine iron industry is advancing prices
of products rather than of materials. Pig
has remained without change this week,
anticipating six of seven furnaces will he
put into blast as soon as possible. The
demand is strong but not apparently ur
gent at the chief markets. Eastern bars
and plates have advanced with very heavy
demand ana cut nails have been hoisted
by the association OF makers. The rush
of orders for the future does not cease and
the works are generally covered for
months ahead with moro orders for ships.
steel cars and for exports
In the minor metals, tho speculative
fever as London has caused considerable
advance and the tin plate com bination
has advanced prices IS oeuts Failures
for the week have been 2-4 in the United
States against $50 last year and 20 in
Canada against 80 last year