The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-25
WITHOUT A PRECEDENT
Is Dun's Characterization of
the Business Situation,
FAILURES ARE SMALLER
Than in Six YearS--An Inter-
esting Export Situation.


weekly review OF trade will say tomorrow;
Tn. situation IS without precedent. Bust
ness has never been better on the whole'
and in some great industries the gain IS
astonishing. Exports surpass last years
a. 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
securities being little higher, and for
trusts much more, owing 20 the extra
ordinary advance of S4s in Tobacco.
Payments through exchanges show
greater volume Of business than ever be
fore az this season and nearly one-ha1
larger than in the best OF previous years.
The outgo OF breadstufs and cotton con-
tinues heavy.
But there are some who fear that such
prosperity can not last. Popular impress
sions have to De- reckoned with, because
they control events. Yet at every point
OF danger except one, the signs are in
every respect fayOra Die. The upward rush
Of 16.5 per cent in the prices Of pig iron
since January and 17.6 per cent in prices OF
deed rase question whether exports OF
such products may not be temporarily
checked, but if they could De entirely
stopped. as they are not, the balance due
this country would still be large. The
crush Of demand for finished products, at
a time when nearly all the works are
crowded by orders covering production IN
I'll July I or later, causes may refuse to
contract beyond that date except al high
er prices and a raise under such circum-
stances may prove the one thing needful
70 sober buyers and obring into the list
OF producers other establishments hereto
fore idle. While a fairly large capacity
OF production is still in reserve, the de-
mand now pressing for cars, vessels.
bridges, buildings and pipes is partly 70
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 IN
able to take orders for future delivery.
II IS a sign OF similar import that the
boot and shoe manufacturers. just al this
this time seek better trade markets by a
somewhat general reduction Of 21a cents in
prices although 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 1856 cases Iarg-
er than IN 1892. and having gained Moth
ing during all these years in proportion TO
population, the eastern manufacturer
naturally seeks that business. The in
| crease IN prices of grain leather has not
hindered much. while few large sales
of healock sole are necessarily at quoted
prices a great many factories have been
out OF, work and sales at reduction do
not cover all gardes of goods.
Nobody can judge what the clothiers
may buy as yet, and the wooden manufac-
turers have a very uncertain market
ahead, but judge that there will be a
heavy demand for goods before long and
/ many Of the smaller mills are looking for
/ chances in the wool markets. Little
/ weakness 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 IS, 81, go pounds
against 81. 75S 800 TWO years ago. with free
wool. and Il, coz, 200 pounds in 1892
The demand for cotton goods increases,
although there is some hesitation regard
ing the price of the material The urgent
demand for goods Of all qualities, stiffen-
ing the prices OF staples as well as Of
fancy goods. gives the highest confidence
/ 10 dealers. Cotton has sold an eight low
e.. although the material decrease in re-
/ ceipts. and large exports, stiIl gives hopes
Of an advance.
Wheat has gained only 1asc in price. al
though Atlantic exports. -four included
have been 1851 364 bushels. against 20s0.-
All last year. and. including other exports
Il. 27s. 735 bushels. against 1856, 7s3 last year
The exports have been 50 heavy that
many doubt their continuance and We
grain comes from the farms and then goes
abroad as If such doubt had no basis
The western receipts during the pas
three weeks have been 995L473 bushels
against .235. 40 last year. Corn mas gain
ed but half cent. with smaller demand
for export. although its outward move
ment viii be quite beyond precedent bu
for last year. In three weeks the export
have been 6,el5.567 bushels, against 1881,
"a
Failures 70 rthe week have been III Il
the United States. against 80 last year
and % in Canada. against 3 0Iast year.
New York Feb. 24.-Bradstreet's # {
morrow viii say; Iron and steel and CO.
ION goods have shared in pubIc interes
this week. because Of urgency in denan
and consequent buoyaacy in prices.
, the former industry the striking fea-u'
, has been the continued call for Supple
alike OF raw and II manufactured mat
rial. not only OF domestic bur even O
foreign account and il is e. yet too ear
to ascertain the efec- Of the numero-
and heavy advances announced during ii
week upon the export demand. L is
I, course 10 be remembered hat iron al
, steel are in active demand az advancir
; prices the world over and II IS erc7ura-
: iuE q ind that export BUYERS Of pig i--
are following Up their demands. 2o-wI,'
O standing recent advances in thls line
; is beginning 10 be questioned. howeve
? whether tais country can aold Is expo
/. trade in some products Il present 7-i
tendencies continue = notable eEa-2
az :his Is furnished n steel rails. wh!1h g
now Up "a parity VIA quotations IN ota
countries and some business = said % hs'
: gone abroad becslse OF this Iron q,
steel prices. as a Whole are from = 90
per cent higher than they were az n
tine q year as7. and. considering ;ae CT
OF production ard output. Il Is assert,
! that pro6-s a-s 1t. little 5e-ow those
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