Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-01-05
UNCLE SAN Fixes PRlCES|
'AsRtAI RECORD MADE ii The PAST YEAR

+
Expansion Of Trade L. Most Me-
narlkable viotory-1illlens Loaned
Abroad. While Gold Inaportss In.
Grease - BreadstuAs In Demand
and An Lines share In Prosperity.
New York. Dec. S1.-R, g. Dun & Co. o.
weekly review OF trade says: The year 1888
has not only been one of victory, OF im-l
portant increase In territory and Of in-
expansion Of the influence of the
United States among other nations but has
surpassed all other years in financial and
Industrial results. The center OF financial
power has crossed the ocean. After pay.
ing debts of several millions abroad and
conducting war loan to an honorable end
the country Is lending 80 many millions In
Europe that, for the first time. banks
abroad look to New York to dictate the
rate of exchange. Exports have been about
1880. 100000 and the excess over imports
about $617, 100000 against 1857 000, 600 In 1897
and in only two previous years has the bal
ance risen to $500, 0G0, 000 In no past calen-
dar year have the net imports Of gold
reached $4,000, 900, but this year they have
been about $14O.000.OOo November passed
all previous months in value OF produce ex-
ports over imports, but December has gone
much beyond November.
Demand Unequalled.
Power in the worlds markets comes
with a demand for breadstuffs and other
necessaries never before equaled. Exports
Of cotton have been over 100 900 bales,
about 1896. 1000 pounds. and in no pre-
vious year as much as 100000 bales. or
$500, 0O0, 900 pounds. Exports of breadstuffs
have been in value $2SS. 91S. 294 in II months.
and have never been as large in any other
year. Exports OF wheat for the year. lack
ing day or two. have been 21S, So, CSC BUSH
els. flour included. slightly exceeded only
by 225.G65.S12 in 1892. and Of corn 2O0.s79.O77
bushels. only approached by 1912, $50 In
1897. The heaviest exports of both grains
and flour In any previous year were 3d.
100000 bushels smaller. only 3eo.22o5la in
1887. Though wheat was raised to $1.91 in
May. the highest quotation with the
highest monthly average for 30 years,
$15323 so that the average for the first half
year was SILL, exceeded slightly in 1891,
but the highest since 1888. the December av-
erage has been only 70 cents. 25 cents below
that of last year, but the years average.
% cents. Is the highest since 1881.
Due to Industrial Progress.
1.-THE triumph in finance has been largely
duo to industrial progress. The output of
pig iron has been about II ,645, 600 tons, tho
greatest yet reached in any year by 100000
tons, and greater than Great Britain ever
reached by 2soo,ooo tons. Yet the con-
sumption in manufacture has been still
larger in spite of net exports Of pig: in ten
months 1G3,OS9 tons for unsold stocks were
reduced In II months $4,000 tons. Exports
of iron manufactures in ten months were
about $S7. GA. $3.50 in value, against imports of
$13,497,817.
Bradstreet's Report.
Bradstreet's says: "Concisely stated, the
reports received as to the years business in
a nj ttn ,kr1y o1v,k <<,o
precedented volume of domestic and export
trade. which is reflected in bank clearances
that break the high record Of 1892. The gen.
eral level of prices Of staples and securi-
ties at the close of the year is at the high
est point reached for five years past. These
general results in the country at large have
been achieved, too, Notwithstanding the
outbreak and conclusion Of q foreign war,
and in spite, also. Of unfavorable condi-
lions in some industries, notably textile
manufacturing, which, combined with un-
favorable weather early In the year and
the lowest prices for cotton on record, ex-
ercised an unfavorable influence. But the
close Of the year finds an improvement even
IL those directions, and returns as to retail
trade. and particularly holiday business,
are strikingly good in all sections.
BEST reports as to distributive trade nat
tons Of the country, which were the first
to feel an improvement resulting from free
foreign demand for our cereals, but indi-
cations are not wanting that this improve
ment is gradually percolating throughout
the entire business community, and coupled
with unprecedented export trade in man.
ufactured goods and the fact that we are
selling two dollars worth abroad for every
dollars worth we buy, renders possible the
gains reported in distributive trade over
1897. ranging from 10 to 40 per cent, with
likewise good reports from the manufac-
turing centers excepting the textile indus
tries already mentioned. The export trade
Of the country for the year, as above init
mated. is the heaviest ever known. and will
probably exceed $1.25O, 600 in value, thus
being nearly double the Imports Our ex-
port trade In manufactured goods, II
might be observed, is the heaviest ever
known. and for the first time in our coun-
try's history exceeded the value of imports
OF similar goods
The Record of Fixtures.
There were l,63S failures in the United
States in 1898. involving liabilities Of $141,-
1917. decrease from 1897 in number Of
11.2 per cent. and in liabilities Of 9.5 per
cent. Compared with 1896 and 1896 the pro-
portion Of decrease shown is even larger,
and compared with 1896 failures were fewer
by Is per cent. and liabilities smaller by
s. per cent
Took His Own Life.