The age-herald., 1899-07-08
BRADSTREET'S
 REVIEW OF TRADE
Holidays and Stock Taking Have
 Caused Some Quiet.
PRICES IN IRON BUSINESS
Wheat Market Has Moved Within Mar row Range and More strength in Lumber Business Fa.ures
 for the Week 136.

New York, July 7-Bradstreet's tomor- row will say:
 Holiday observances and semi-annual stock takings have worked toward quiet in general trade and indus.ry, but it Is sig nificant of the favorable conditions ruling in this as compared with previous years that trade advces point to rather more than the average business done, notwith- standing the checks to demand and ship ment above mentioned. Additional results of the seasons work brought to light are fully as favorable as those indicated in Bradstreets report last week and furnish an adequate basis for the general air of confidence with which the business world faces the latter half of the year.
 Bank cearings returns fully bear out estimates given last week pointing to precedented totals and enormous gains for the six months period over preceding years, while Bradstreets report as to prices points to a steady strengthening of quotations of staples and exceptionally few decreases in prices registered in June. All indications favor total of export trade little below that of last years phenomenal total with the little falling off there has
 
 pean takings of American food products. Preliminary reports as to rail gross earn ings indicate exceptionally good showings for the month and the half yearly period, the gains, in fact, being the heaviest re- ported by us.
 Distributive business on seasonable &C., count is now naturally on a small scale but orders for fall delivery are reported light and making favorable comparison with last year.
 In the iron trade the strength of prices and demand is still the most notable feat ure, further advances in pig iron being mo- table this week. quotations for Bessemer iron going well above the s20 mark The question of supplies of raw and partly manufactured products continues to in- crease in demand, likewise the price. For the first time in five years every coke oven in the Connellsville district is in opera ton.
 Another strong situation Is found in the woolen trade. Prices of the better grades have been advanced this week on active demand from dealers and manufacturers and sympathy with the advance at Lon don. The manufactured product is strong and the new season opens well. Cotton has strengthened quite considerably owing to very heavy rains eliminating in disas- trous floods in Texas.
 The wheat market has moved within a narrow range this week. weather conditions furnishing the basis for most of the changes shown, the closing days of the week witnessing considerable weakness on account of detrimental crop reports.
 Rather more strength is noted in lumber at many markets east and west, and the same is true of leather, particularly Cali fornia skins, for which 1t is understood the government is in the market for considera- ble quantities.
 Sugar has sympathized with tendencies of foreign markets, in which speculative &C., tivity has figured conspicuously. The ex- tension of the guarantee period on refined grades gives color to earlier reports that competition will not be specially bitter dur ing the canning season.
 Wheat including flour, shipments for the week aggregate S,75S,972 bushels, against 926s, ,99s. bushels last week, 24,72s,642 bushels in the corresponding week of 1S9S 2,5O2 600 bushels in 1897, 2,167,O15 bushels in 1896. and 2317,2 ,237 bushels in 1895.
 Corn exports for the week aggregate 4097, IA bushels against 4,4S2 ,116 bushels last week, ,272 bushels in this week year ago, 2,732 ,17 bushels in 1s97 1,S4S,36S bushels in 1896, and 1,055456 bushels in 1885,
 Business failures for the week number 136 against 15S last week, 241 in this week a year ago, 213 in 1897, 219 in 1S96 and 266 in 1895.
 The business failures in Canada for the week number %, as compared with 23 last week, Is in this week year ago, 34 in 1898, 32 in 1896 and 30 in 1895.