Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-25
lJIN'S REVIEW OF TRADE.

NEW YORK, February PAR. G. Dun
& Co.'S weekly review of trade will say
tomorrow:
The situation is without precedent. BUS
mess has never been better on the whole,
and in some great industries the gain is
astonishing. Exports surpass last years
as much as imports, though the excess
over imports then was heavy Failures
are smaller than last year and smaller
than n either Of six years past. Stocks
are stronger, the average for the active
railway securities being little higher
and for trusts much more, owing to the
extraordinary advance of $3.50 in tobacco.
Payments through exchanges show q
greater volume of business than ever be
fore at this season, and nearly one-haf
larger than in the best of previous years.
The outgo of breadstuffs and cottons con-
tinues heavy. But there are some who
fear that such prosperity cannot last
Popular impressions have to be reckoned
with because they control events. Yet at
every point of danger except one the
signs are in every respect favorable. The
upward rush of 1856 per cent. in the price
of pig iron since January l, ard 1L6 per
cent. in prices Of iron and steel products
does indeed raise a question whether ex-
ports of such products may not be tenn
porarly checked. but if they could be en-
tirely stopped as they are not, the balance
due this country would still be large The
crush of demand for finished products al
a time when nearly all the works are
crowded by orders covering production
until July l or later, causes many to re-
fuse to contract beyond that date except
at higher prices and a rise under such
circumstances may prove the one thing
needed TO sober buyers and to bring into
the list OF producers other establishments
heretofore idle. While a fairly large ca
pacity of production is still in reserve, the
demand now pressing for cars, vessels
bridges. buildings and pipes is partly to
anticipate an expected rise in prices. The
best sign is that the great producers ap-
pear to be anxious to maintain their hold
on foreign markets, although just now
unable to take orders for future delivery.
1t is a sign of similar import that the
boot and shoe manufacturers, just at this
time, seek better markets by a somewhat
general reduction of 21sc in prices. al
though leather averages slightly higher.
The shipments from the East have been
smaller than in four Of the past six years
in quantity and only Is, 756 cases larger
than in 1892. and having gained nothing
during all these years in proportion TO
population, the eastern manufacturer nat
urahy seeks more business. The increase
in prices Of grain leather has not him
dered much while a few large sales of
hemICck sole are not necessarily at quoted
prices. A great many factories have been
out of work, and sales at reduction do
not cover all grades Of goods
Nobody can judge what the clothiers
may buy as yet and the wooden manu-
facturers have a very uncertain demand
ahead. but judge that there VIII be a
heavy demand for goods before long and
many Of the smaller mills are looking for
chances in the wool markets. Little weak
ness is there seen except for fleece and in
quarter and three-eighths blood and
combing wool prices are generally strong
with scarcity Of supply, but sales for three
weeks have been 10000 pounds, against
&. go two years ago, with free wool.
and although there is some hesitation re-
garding the price of the material The ur-
gent demand for goods Of all qualities,
stiTen;ng the prices OF staples as we'll as
Of fancy goods. gives the highest conf
dence to dealers. Cotton has sold an
eighth lower.
Wheat has gained only 1ssc in price al
though Atlantic exports. -four included.
have Teen a557.3 64 bushes. against 2,089. III
last year. and including other exports
81 7cS bushels. against 3.e55 79s last year
The exports have been SO heavy that