The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-11-04
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Pronounced Most Cheerful by the
Commercial Agencies.
HIGHEST MARX FOR OCTOBER.

Despite Some Variation In the Cur
rent OF Trade Distribution, the Ag-
gregate Movement Continues OF Inn
mense Volume.
New York, Nov. 4.-Bradstreet's
weekly review of trade says: Despite
some variation in the currents of trade
distribution, the aggregate movement
continues of immense volume; In fact,
III the aggregate of bank clearings in the
country outside of the metropolis Is
trustworthy index, as it no doubt is,
the country's trade reached it's highest
mark I'm the month of October Prices
certainly show marked strength in
view of the proportions of earlier ad-
vances. Cooler weather has been well
coined by the retail trade of the country
and some stimulus has already been
noted. alike to distribution and to the
confidence of distributors.
In some lines of wholesale trade, no
tably dry goods, there has been some
quieting of demand without, however
any perceptible effect being exercised
upon values of textiles, which, indeed.
are more firmly held than ever. It has,
indeed, been a record period in the
wool trade, sales at leading centers hav-
ing exceeded all records for the week,
and the strength alike of the raw and
the manufactured material is most
marked. Cotton goods are also very
strong, partly on the extraordinary de-
mand and partly because of the strength
of the raw material.
The great cereals have been rather
dull this week, with a slight variation
in price, and the markets appear to have
come to a standstill pending new de-
velopments. Some improvement is
noted in the ocean freight situation.
however, the high rates, in fact, hav-
! ing tended to bring their own cure.
In the iron and steel trade strength
of values is perhaps the most notable
feature, burt activity has been trans
! ferred from the finished branch of the
trade to the market for pig iron, which
has been very active at full prices.
Reports of re-eXports of American iron
! from Japan are confirmed. A heavy
business was done in hardware dur
ing October, relatively the best reports
coming from the west. Other metals
| fail to show as much strength, cop
per and tin being considerably lower
on the week. In the lumber market
demand varies with the material and
/
! lumber is quieter at western centers,
prices are very firm and intimattons
of a continuance of these conditions or
of further advances are numerous. In
fuenced by the activity in the boot
and shoe manufacturing and distribu-
tive trade, leather is strong and tends
upward, and some advances in hides
are also reported
| n nun ~ e raviayU of fra do
says: British disasters in South AT
Tica have brought to view something
beside the steady self reliance of the
English people. They hold not many
American securities to be dislodged in
any time of alarm. but are inclined
to take more when money looks for
safe investment.
| A little decline of three-quarters in
wheat and 11ac. in corn does not him
der exports, though it is some evil
dence that growers think they have
ample supplies. Atlantic exports of
wheat for five weeks have been, flour
included, 15,6S6,5 bushels, against
1S,1S2,631 last year, and Pacific ex-
ports 2,713,551 against S,917,494 last
year Western receipts of wheat have
continued heavy, but have not rivaled
last years extraordinary outpouring,
amounting to only 35,95S,087 bushels in
five weeks, against 40 ,640,7 ,791 last year,
but western corn receipts run ahead
of last years in the same weeks, and
the exports have been 18,64S,044 bush
els, against II ,55S, 1853 last year.
The enormous sales of wool at Bos-
ton, 81 ,557 500 pounds reported, maxi
ing 1868, 700 at the three chief mar
kets for the week. are extremely i'm
portant. That not all are for con-
sumption, as the trade is naturally
tempted to believe, may be true, and
yet actual purchases by the mills OF
half that quantity would imply eN-
traordinary encouragement respecting
the demand for wooden goods. The
prices have been generally advanced
to an average scarcely below that OF
May, 1892
Prices of pig iron for early deliveries
are still advancing, but as great part
of the demand has protected itself by
contracts running far into the next
year, including purchases of $4,000
tons bessemer this week at $3.50, and
as billets are quoted at $3.50 for spot
but S33 for next year, the market can
be interpreted several ways.
Dealers are refusing to pay the high
er prices asked by manufacturers OF
boots and shoes to such an extent that
future orders are somewhat restricted
Yet the October shipments were 473, ,72f
cases, against 415, ,259 last year, an in
crease of II per cent, and 367 ,939 in the
same week of 1892, an increase oi
nearly 80 per cent.
Failures for the week have been 49,
in the United States against 1874 for
the same week last year, and 25 in
Canada, against 2S last year.
Night of Terror