The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-07

been in rather less demand this week at lead
Ing centers, and large orders are few in num-
cred themselves for some weeks to come by
their liberal buying in December. In finished
products, however, and particularly in steel.
rather more has evidently been doing. this
being reflected in advances at both the East
beams, plates and sheets. Some heavy orders
for railroad account are reported booked. and
the export trade continues of liberal proper
tions, partly aided no doubt. by the shading
month.
Aside from the aggressive strength of steel
price quotations are little changed from week
ago.
Bank clearings for the week reflect exception
S. 765, 500 Geo. nearly $40 coo 900 larger than
before reported Is per cent larger than last
week; "A per cent larger than in this week
year ago; "a per cent larger than in 1897 70
per cent larger than in 1885 and 10 per cent
larger than in 1894
Business failure are exceptionally small for
the opening week OF the new year, numbering
only 237, against 21S last week. 1888 in this
week year ago, 4SS in 1897; 446 in 1896 and
405 in 1895.
The steadness of wheat this week, partici-
pated in by other cereals, finds explanation in
continued foreign buying, the strength of the
statistical position, the normal time for de-
creases in American stocks having arrived with
supplies still smaller than at any correspond
ing date for ten years past, aided by favorable
advices from Argentina, whence minimum esti-
of wheat on January l, as shown by telegraph
and cable advices to Bradstreet's. gained only
d
gain of % 900 bushels in November and
European and American stocks combined on
January l, 1899, aggregated only lis, 949, 900
bushels. 13, 900 900 bushels smaller than January
last year. 81 900. 600 bushels smaller than
January l, 1897, 70, 900. 900 bushels smaller than
on January l, 1885, 5000. 900 bushels smaller
than on January l. 1895. and SO. 900, 900 bushels
smaller than on January l, 1884, when the
maximum of stocks in recent years was
reached.
Stocks in the United States east Of the Rock
les are the llghtest held for eight years past,
and with the exception of 1891 are the smallest
held for fifteen years past.
The December total of bank clearings proved
a fitting conclusion to year of unprecedented
expansion in many lines, in an aggregate of
seventy-seven cities of $7,335 551. 222, a gain Of
1871 per cent over November's hitherto unap-
preached total of 23.5 per cent over December.
1897, of 56.5 per cent over December 1896. OF 1l2
per cent over the same month of 1894 and of 227
per cent over the same period of 1892. This
latter gain, too shown in spite of the fact
that the stock clearing house at New York City
is estimated TO have reduced the volume of
yearly clearings at that city by IS, 00O, 900 900.
Wheat, including -four, shipments for the
week aggregate c, $50 26S bushels. against $685.
625 bushels last week, 34Sl,576 bushels in the
corresponding week of 1898. g. los, 6SS bushels In
1897. 347 6S1 bushels in 1896 and 25S! us bush
els in 1895. Since July l this year the exports
of wheat aggregate 12S,3SS 977 bushels. against
1872. 443. 2S4 bushels last year.
Business failures in the Dominion or Canada
number 26. against Is last week. As in this week
year ago. 65 in 1897 and SO in 1896 and 1895.