The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-25

NEW YORK. Feb. 2i.-R. G. Dun d
Co.'S weekly review OF trade will say
tomorrow:
The situation is without precedent.
Business has never been better on tho
whole, and In some great Industries tho
gain is astonishing. Exports surpass
last years as much as imports, though
tire excess over imports then was
heavy. Failures are smaller than last
year and smaller than In either OF tho
six years past. Stocks are stronger.
the average for the active railway Sc
curlties being little higher and for
trusts much more owing to the extra
ordinary advance of s4S 10 In Tobacco,
payments through exchanges show a
greater volume of business than ever
before at this season and nearly one
half larger Than In the best Of previous
years, the outgo OF breadstuffs and cot
ton continues heavy, but there are
some who fear that such prosperity
cannot last.
Every Sign Favorable.
Popular impressions have to be rcck-
oned with because they control events.
Yet at every point OF danger except
one the signs are in every respect fav-
orable. The upward rush Of 1876 per
cent In prices OF iron and steel pro-
ducts, does indeed raise 4 question
whether exports OF such products mag
not be temporarily checked, but IL they
could be entirely stopped, as they are
not, the balance due this country would
stIll be large. The crush OF demand
for finished products at time when
nearly all the works are crowded by or
dcrs covering production until July /.
or later causes many to refuse to con-
tract beyond that date except at high
er prices and Il rise under such c!rcum-
stances may prove the ono thing need
full 10 sober buyers and TO bring into
the list of producers other establish
ments heretofore idle. While fairly
large capacity OF production IS still in
reserve. the demand now pressing for
cars, vessels. bridges, buildings and
pipes Is partly 10 anticipate an expect
ed rise In prices. The best sign is that
the great producers appear 10 be an
X!ous to maintain their hold on foreign
markets, although just now unable 10
take orders for future delivery
Sign Of Similar Import.
II is 4 sign Of similar import that the
boot and shoe manufacturers. Just at
this time seek better markets by
somewhat general reduction OF 2ls in
prices, although leather averages
slightly higher. The shipments from
the east have peen smaller than IN four
OF the past six years in quantity and
onlr" 1876 cases larger than In 1892
and having gained nothing during all
these years In proportion to population
the eastern manufacturer naturally
seeks more business. The increase in
prices of grain leather has not hindcred
much while few large sales OF hem
lock sole are not necessarily Mt quoted
prices. 4 great many factories have
been out Of work and sales at rcduc-
tion do not cover all grades of goods.
Nobody can judge what the clothiers
may buy as Vet, and the woolen manu-
facturers have n 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 mar
kets. Little weakness is there seen e1-
cept 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 1S,050, 200 pounds against 3tiS5,o 500
two years ago, with free wool and H.
O56. 200 pounds in 1892. The demand for
cotton goods increased. although there
Is some hesitation regarding the price
OF the material. The urgent demand
for goods OF oil qualities stiffenlnH the
prices OF staples as well as OF fancy
goods. gives the highest confidence to
dealers. Cotton has sold an eighth
lower.
Grain Market.
Wheat has gained only 19sc in price.
although Atlantic exports, flour includ-
ed. have been 1861. 1854 bushels, against
{, ,OSO.417 last year and including other
exports 3,279.735 bushels, against $685.
1893 last year. The exports have been
SO heavy that many doubt their con-
tinuance, and yet grain comes from tho
farms and then goes abroad as II such
doubt had no basis The western re-
ceipts during the past three weeko
have been s,376.iTS bushels, ag1inse
.3S5,ia6 last year. Corn has gained but
,sc, with smaller demand for export.
although its outward movement Will es
quite beyond precedent, but for last
year. In three weeks the exports have
been 6,9l5,561 bushels, against l0,9l,77i.
Failures for the week have been l9l
In the United States, against @S3 last
year and forty In Canada. against
thirty last year.
Iron Mining Deal.
CLEVELAND, O., Feb. 24.-The Plain