The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-26
TREND OF PRICES
IS STILL UPWARD
Fall Demand Expanding at
Most Markets.
THE NEEDS OF NEXT YEAR
THE MOST PROMINENT FEA-
TURE OF THE TRADE.
IRON AND STEEL AGGRESSIVELY STRONG
Wheat Has Been Firm All the Week. Promised
Renewal of Sugar War. Shadow of
NeiII Estimate still Over Cotton.
A R Sc in Beef,
A R Sc in Beef.

New York, Aug. -Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Strength in prices and steadiness of
demand are still the salient features Of
the trade situation. Iron, steel and other
metals, most of the cereals, leather and
cotton goods manifest upward tendencies
as to prices. Other staples with the en-
ception of sugar and anthracite coal, re
tain all their old firmness. Fall demand
is expanding at most markets, particular
ly good reports being received from the
Northwest and that portion of the corn
growing country which this year seems
likely to be notable for surplus rroduc-
ton. Aggressive strength and hrmneSs
is noted in iron and steel, particularly st
Central and Western markets. Com
sideration of next years needs now seems
to be the most prominent feature OF the
trade. aside from complaints of slow de
hveries ON NEARBY orders. Foremost in
advancing is structural material, which
has moved up 50 per ton, closely follow
ed by steel billets, with an advance OF
-
of pig iron, with smaller relative gains.
Other metals show sympathetic strength,
notable in this respect being tin ami
lead
Among the cereals wheat has been
quite firm all the week, partly owlng TO
q whiting down of Northwestern esti-
mates. but also due to steady demand
for the cash article alike on foreign and
domestic account. The relative scarcity
of cash corn is responsible for the adj
vance shown this week in the face ef
q concededly large production. The
shadow of the Neill estimate is stiH over
the cotton market, which, however, IS
iirmer, owing to reports of deterioration
due to heat and drought and partly 10
exceptionally good reports from manu-
featured goods, quotations of which are
tending upwards.
A sudden cut in the prices of refined
sugar has led to the impression that the
sugar war will be re-opened i'm all its
fierceneSs.
Additionally strong features IN the
general trade situation are the active
demand for lumber at most markets ut
steady prices and the frmness in the
less active buying. A supporting feature
in this latter case. however, is the actNe
demand reported both for mems and wo-
mems wear woolens.
Conditions of supply and demand seem
to be at the bottom of the recent
rise in beef prices. This advance has
attracted increased receipts of CRASHED
cattle and some shading of quotations -
noted, but Chicago prices have only beel
equalled five times i'm % years. There
are nearly 100000 less beef cattle
in the country than there were Z years
ago, and in fact there are fewer cattle
in the country now than in any year
since 1882.
Reflection of the smaller supply Of
hides and of the active demand for
boots and shoes is found in higher quo
tations for hemlock sole leather at some
markets.
One of the least satisfactorily situated
trades is that of anthracite coal, i'll
which production appears to have ont
stripped consumption again, and thee is
complaint of price cutting.
Wheat, including flour, shipments for
the week aggregates 3,343 $50 busaels,
against 4,040,009 bushels last week. g.
JO0,4l DllSnelS IN Une corresponding
week of 1893; 5.1496S3 bushels i'm 1897;
3,2S1 ,S54 bushels i'm 1896 and 1871 OPS
bushels in 1895. Since July LIST this
season the exports of wheat aggregate
29,50S,S94 bushels, against %, 906552
bushels last year and 25,5S2,999 bushels
i'm 1S97-'9S
Corn exports for the week aggregate
4,596,097 bushels, against 1881 405
bushels last week, 2,64S93 bushels in
this week year ago; 1852, 49, bushels
in 1897; 100000 bushels in 1896 and
1.124. 536 bushels in 1895. Since July LIST
This season corn exports aggregate ST.
123,04S bushels, against 22,87T, 293 bush
els during the same period a year ago.
and 22,34S,295 bushels in 1S97-9S.
Business failures I'm the Unitel States
for the week number 175, as against 172
last week and I'M this week a year ago;
30 in 1897, 800 in 1896 and 100 in 1895.
Business failures in Canada for he
week number 23 as compared with 20
last week; y in this week year ago;
80 in 1897; 81 in 1896 and AZ i'm 1895.