The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-18
DAMAGE LESS SEVERE
From the Recent Blizzard Than
First Estimated.
SPRING TRADE Is SHOWING
In Trade Reports--AdvanCe
in Leading Staples.
SPRING TRADE Is SHOWING

New York, Feb 17-Bradstreets tomor-
row ILL say: Following the long continued
cold wave, eliminating in heavy snow and
sleet storms and incement weather gen
orally throughout nearly all sections of the
country. come reports of reviving spring
trade and of efforts to ascertain the extent
to which material interests have suffered.
All things considered, the damage so far
! indicated, while serious in some sections,
has proved less than might have been ex-
/ pected in view of the severity OF the vista
ton. Exception is, of course, made in the
case Of the winter wheat crop, from which
| trustworthy reports as to damage are not
! forthcoming at this early period OF the
| year. From the south come reports Of
more serious damage, particularly to the
! growing fruit and vegetable crops Even
! here, however, permanent damage, aside
/ from the reported loss of the unpicked
cotton, seems to be conferred in the states
of Georgia. Florida and louisiana. Sat-
isfactory reports Of a resumption of spring
distribution come from the west induced
I
a good volume of business is reported in
the east and in the middle states as re-
suit of the receipt of delayed mail orders,
| though transportation Is still interfered
with. Receipts of livestock have been
checked at western centers, but estimates
of losses Of cattle do not much exceed 10
per cent, ranging downward to as low as
5 per cent, and this only in the case of
cattle on the ranges. A satisfactory busi-
ness appears to be doing on the Pacific
coast and export business is fairly active.
San Francisco reports considerable con-
servatiism among merchants on account of
the dry weather. Relief is hoped for, how
ever, from the usua lspring rains. A good
volume of business has been done at New
York and Boston following the stormy
weather and business in dry goods, partic-
ularly cottons, has been fairly active, with
values firmer or tending upward. A bet
ter business is reported in dress woofens
also and an improvement is even reported
in mems wear goods for fall delivery. Bust
ness in wool has naturally been quiet; but
Boston reports large transactions in for
eign woods pending. Among the industries
iron and steel are still rtxe elacymeit
iron and steel are still extremely active
and further advances are reported, shared
in by sympathetic gains in copper and
spelter. Consumers of pig iron who de-
layed covering their wants are reported
anxious regardAg supplies of materials
A regretable feature, from one point Of
view is the reported growing Indifference
on the part of American producers toward
export demand, though excuse for this is
found in the fact that domestic demand
is sufficient to keep them fully employed.
Shipbuilding is likely to be very active, and
reflection of this demand is found in the
urgent inquiry for steel plates at num-
Der of centers. While the demand for and
movement of lumber has been interfered
with. the strength of prices is unimpaired
Wheat. including flour, shipments for
the week aggregate 2.254. III bushels,
against $50, 500 bushels last week, 1884,
744 bushels in the corresponding week of
$685. 2.12OS9s bushels in 1897. 3149O12 bush
els in 1896 and 1S0S.973 bushels in 1895
Since July IS this season the exports
of wheat aggregate 159, $50 bushels,
against 157. 4S2 2S1 last year. Corn exports
for the week aggregate 1,160,S 45 bushels,
against $50, 622 bushels last week. 50566 70
bushels in this week a year ago. 6,441. 420 /
bushels in 1897, 1925 039 bushels in 1896 and
500. 1857 bushels in 1896. Since July this
season corn exports aggregate 104 S40,12
bushels, against 40, 56S 246 bushels during
the same period a year ago. Business
failures show a decrease, numbering only
$50 this week. against 1913 last week, 269
in this week year ago, 800 IN 1891. ZIG |
in 1896 and 327 in 1895
in Capoda
only 20, against IS a week ago, IS in 1898.
IS in 1897 and 1896 and IS in 1895.
DUN's REVIEW OF TRADE.
New York, Feb. 17.-R G. Dun & Co.'S |
review Of trade will say tomorrow: Pig /
iron has advanced, but the largest con- |
ever recorded in any month is |
in part due to the hasty purchases Of pro |
ducts about to be controlled or advanced |
in prices by a combination. There are so |
many of these in the iron and steel indus |
try that the present market does not |
clearly indicate the magnitude of demand /
and disappointment in some branches is /
not improb bic. But the rise of 81 in steel /
rails, with the entire capacity of all works /
engaged until after July l, is not unnat- /
ural. nor the strength in plates, for which |
dent. and the same is true of bars, the |
quantity required for cars. railway and
a gricultural implements being enormous
In pipe the association lifted prices per
cent, with a very heavy order from the !
Indiana Gas works, as does the expected |
combination in sheets.
No fictitious demand has caused the rise
in grain. for the exports continue so heavy
in wheat and corn that the advance Of
Sl4c IN wheat Is abundantly justified and
the rise Of &C in corn seems scarcely
enough for the coca sion. Atlantic exports
have been retarded by the blizzard, but
have been :. 2s5, rs bushels. -four Included.
against s. 142 o57 last year, and for the crop
year thus far the exports, including -four. /
have been I56 707, 10 bushels. against 49,
IA l42 last year. When II s remembered
mat the exports OF corn are almost as
large as the largest ever known. there Is
reason for establishment at the continual
foreign demand. That 1t paris,s in spite
II the strong advance IN prices here since