The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-04-12
REVIEW OF TRADE.
Few Falures-New Furnaces s,arted-Ae.ivity
In the Boot and Shce Business
Grain, Flour and Feed.

rev raiures-New Furnaces Started-Activity
In the Boot and Shoe Business.
X. @. Dun g. Co.'S weekly review of
trade reports as follows for last week:
faiiures In the first quarter of 1899
We're I'm number 2772, against 1857 last
year, and the liabilities S27,152.31.
against S32.946,565. a decrease of 17.6
per cent Geographical aspects make
the return peculiar with n slight in
crease of defaults in New England, an
Increase of Is per cent in the South
east ana 70 per cent in the central
states. There was a decrease of nearly
4O per cent in the Pacific and south
western states, Al per cent in western
states ana AZ per cent In middle states.
NO other year of the twenty-four
covered by Duns quarterly reports
mas SHOWN as small failures during the
hrst quarter excepting 1880 and 1881,
ana no other except 1880 and 1886 as
small liabilities per failure.
The average of defaulted liabilities
per nrm In business, only S22 10, Is
smaller than in the first quarter of
any year except 1880, and the ratio of
defaulted liabilities to solvent pay
ments through clearing houses. only
u IL per $l,OOO Is also the lowest for
the quarter except in 1880.
The famine in iron, caused by urgent
demand, far exceeding present supply,
not only continues. but has caused
haste to start forty-eight additional
furnaces, with an output estimated at
39972 tons weekly. These are expected
TO Increase production this month, and
yet more In May and June, and some
weakness has been attributed to the
prospect. But the price of gray forge
mas again advanced to S14 so at Pitts
burg, without change in other quota
tons. The demand for products Is
still enormous. Contracts for the East
River bridge, covering 1900 tons acid
open-hearth steel. have been placed
at Plttsburg and one covering 5000
tons for n Newark building besides
one at Philadelphia for 5000 tons ship
plates, with many for bridge and other
works, and in pipes new business Is so
great that 1t forces farther advance in
prices, while parties are trying to con.
solidate. The Republic Iron and Steel
Company Will be I'm the combination
or western bar mills and the hoop and
cotton tie association will soon be
completed.
In another industry progress seems
to have been caused by firmness of
manufacturers, who notified custom
ers that options for boots and shoes
not accepted before April could be
Withdrawn. A great number of orders
followed. 1t Is said, and April begins
Win tne largest shipments Tor that
week In any year. 9S,734 cases, making
the total for the year larger than In
any excepting 1895.
Manufacturers who bought leather
at low prices months ago have COM
Portable margins, but those who buy
at the higher prices lately quoted are
seeking an advance, which, as before,
Jobbers generally refuse. The market
for copper is stronger at 1Sc for lake,
and, while domestic consumption is
heavy the increase Of 400 tons in
European supply in March is not con-
sidered encouraging.
Wheat has been fluctuating without
much visible reason. rumors being
wildly contradictory. as usual at this
season. and commanding not much
more confidence than usual. The ex-
ports from Atlantic ports for the
week, -four included, have been 2,074,-
769 bushels. against 2240172 last year,
and In spite OF all reports the current
receipts continue to exceed last years.
The prospect for continuance of large
exports OF staples has not improved
within the past ten days.
Failures for the week have been 14l
In the United States. against 232 last
year, and II In Canada, against 80 last
year.