The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-28
Bradstreets' Review.

New York, Oct. 27.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: A quoting down on
distributive trade, more particularly
at retail, is reported in Geographic ad-
vices to Bradstreet's this week, grow
ing out of the unseasonably warm
weather now being experienced in
most sections of the country. Reflec-
ton of this Is found in less urgent or
ders received by jobbers and in some
what impaired collections at many
points. AS regards prices, however,
there is no appreciate loss of strength,
the great majority of quotations re-
naming steady, and among those MAX
ing changes advances are still nu-
merous.
That the business conditions of the
country remain at an unprecedented
volume is testified to by the heavy
gains noted in bank clearings over
year ago and by the immense in
creases in railroad earnings over ex-
ceptionally good returns last year AS
regards the current activity in trans
portation it may be said that east
bound traffic from Chicago in the past
month has been more than double a
year ago. The ocean freight situation
is gradually improving, partly because
high rates are attracting all olsen
gagged tonnage, and partly because the
check to foreign buying, particularly
VI CefedlS, CduSeu ny lHe dupdIlCe III
vessel rates, has exercised reflex ac-
tion on the latter market. Simulta-
neously with the drop in freight rates
this week has come a hardening of
quotations for cereals, partly the re-
suit of this improved foreign buying
meeting the late decline. Wheat has
been sympathetically strong, as have
other cereals, and wheat -four has been
advanced this week. Among the lead
ing products decreasing in price tin
and copper among the metals have
been n0st notable, the latter it is
claimed, being due to production APP
preaching more to parity to the de-
mand.
The strength of wool is natural in
view of the large sales In WOODEN
goods the demand is favorable and
further price advances are predicted.
Lumber, after a slight hesitation at
some markets. due to enlarged sup
plies, is again very firm, as are also
hides and leather in sympathy with
recent advances in boots and shoes.
The situation of iron and steel is
perhaps the most notable one yet pre-
scented. The feature of the market is
the reported booking by the steel rail
mills of the country of nearly IS per
cent. of their capacity for next years
delivery. In all 100000 tons or rails
are reported to have been booked for
delivery next year. and there Is in ad-
dition considerable unfinished bust
ness on 1899 account, which. it is
claimed, will still further enlarge the
volume of business handled next year.
In all lines of business the demand
is still very heavy; demand for steel,
for cars, for plates. for shipbuilding
and for wire being additional signs of
strength. Demand for hardware is &C
tive at nearly all markets. The scare
ity of supplies noted last week is still
a feature and jobbers are still pushed
for prompt shipments. Complaint that
present high prices are injurlng our
export trade is also heard. Wheat,
| including flour, shipments for the week
aggregate 6416.196 bushels against
| 4,160,6lS bushels last week, 5,5s0,ssl
| bushels in the corresponding week OF