The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-12-06
REVIEW OF TRADE.
Iron Manufacturers Catching Up With Orders
Decrease in Wheat Recepls,

r. G. Dun & Co.'S Weekly Review
oi Trade reports as follows for last
week:
Business continues wonderfully large,
prosperous and healthy. As the detailed
list OF failures by branches OF business
cannot be made until next week, it
seems well to say that in four weeks
failures have been reported amounting
to S6,S4S, 500, against $S,GIo,475 in the
same week OF last year.. SII,0Io, Io5 in
1897 and over $I2,ooo,ooo in 1896 and
also in 1895. Yet the volume OF solvent
trade represented by exchanges at the
principal clearing houses has been for
the month 22.5 per cent greater than
last year and 20 per cent greater than
in 1902. Thus the ratio OF defaults to
business payments was Sc 81 in $1,000
for November, 1895, and 81 Is for 1890
and 81 IS for 1907, but 81 rs for 1893
and only 90 cents in 81 900 for 1900. In
many lines the volume OF business has
been larger than in October, notwith-
standing the extraordinary food OF buy
ing ever since the beginning OF last
March.
Wheat remains weak, yielding one
cent and a quarter, although Western
receipts were barely half last years for
the week, and for four weeks only 2I,-
743,5o bushels, against 3S,oo2,73o last
year. Corn declined cent with slight
ly smaller exports than last year for the
week, but for four weeks I5,205745
bushels, against II,47o,ooS last year
Cotton goods have remained strong,
all coming forward not under contract
being snapped up quickly, with contracts
ctI 1,I ,ntA n
woolens a strong demand continues for
dress goods, and cotton warp and all
wool cashmeres tend higher, but there
is not much Change in mems wear, nor
such rise as to Justify the high prices
paid for wool. Sales continue heavy,
but largely speculative, and stimulated
by the rise in London.
The iron manufacturer has to meet
greatly increased cost OF material next
year. Prices for 1000 have been fixed
at S. so for bessemer ore at lower lake
ports, against 81 So last year, and 81 2s
for non-bessemer, against 81 last year,
while coke at 81 rs for furnace, with
high rail rates in every direction, indi-
cate that iron will not be made next
year as cheaply as has been. Prices OF
pig still advance according to the
"IronAge." Bessemer to SIS at Pitts
burg, with very small transactions, and
gray forge TO SCI rs. quotations at
other points being unchanged. Prices
of some finished products are still yield
ing as works run out OF orders and
compete with each other for more busi-
ness, and refined bar is 81 per ton lower
at Philadelphia, common Sc per ton
lower at Pittsburg, and plates So lower
at Philadelphia. with further conces-
sions in sheets because many OF the tin
plate works are now closed. Some OF
the iron works about Pittsburg are run
ming half time.
The shipments OF boots and shoes in
four weeks have been 373,3o7 cases, IA
per cent larger than in 1907 and 80 per
cent larger than in 1894, exceeding
those OF other years even more. But
new business, although considerable in
quantity shows marked decrease be-
cause OF the prolonged rise in prices.
even though that rise has been relative
ly less than the advance in leather which
still continues, or in hides. which has
apparently been checked again.
Failures for the week have BEEN I44
In the United States, against All last
year and ~ in Canada.