Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-16

Bradstreet's for last week says that
industrial and trade activity is still a
pro-eminent feature of the general bust
ness situation. Price strength, too,
is notable, especially in view of the
midwinter rise of February, except IN
the case of the leading cereals and
wool. In manufacturing lines the stu
alton is one of great activity. Addi-
tional advances in wages announced
this week seem likely to swell the num-
her of workers whose wages are reported
advanced TO close to IT'S, 600. The iron
and steel trade is still excited by re-
ports of feverish demand, inadequate
supplies and further advanced quota
tions. Iron ore interests appear to
have been taken by surprise this
season, and nearly all the available sup
plies have been disposed of at very low
prices considering the heavier proper
tionate advance in pig iron and all
classes of finished material. Shut
downs for repairs and other reasons
have reduced pig iron output quite
materially, and current production is
said to be considerably below that of
January LIST. The number of old fur
naces being furnished up and put in
operation is steadily increasing, but
the effect as yet on production is not
very marked.
1.-THE demand for cotton goods is very
active, and nearly all classes are firmly
held, though finished goods have not
advanced to the same extent as the
cruder makes. Cotton remains steady,
and the reduced movement ut the South
is making tho minimum estimates
more favorable.
wheat is weaker, Notwithstanding
crop damage reports, and other cereals
are in sympathy Herewith, chiefly be-
cause of the growth of bearish views of
supplies held by farmers and ten
dency to discount the generally OK
pected heavy government estimate of
wheat in farmers hands,. F."
K. G. Dun & Co.'s Review for the
current week says: by far the best
assurance of good business in the
future is found in the general rise of
wages. Traders and manufacturers can
sell only when wage earners can buy,
and in proportion to their buying
power. The general advance in earn
ingS of cotton mill operatives, in most
cases 10 per cent, of iron and steel
workers, generally 10 per cent, and tin
plate and sheet workers, from to 10
per cent, and of coal miners, in some
large districts, about as mnch,. has set
a pace which most establishments will
follow which have reduced wages in
past years of depression. Those who
fail to comprehend what such change
may mean have only to consider that
tenth increase in the wages OF all labor
would put into the markets new buy
ing demand in amount about three
quarters of the entire value OF exports
to all countries. Tho volume of bust
ness shows no signs of decrease and for
tho first full week of March has been
about 51.T per cent greater than in the
same week of last year, and CO. 0 per cent
greater than in 1882. Tho course of
foreign trade, exports having exceeded
last years over per cent, while i'm
ports have Increased at this point only
8 per cent, promises very heavy bal
ance in favor Of this country, and as
yet the enormous deferred payments
due from other countries on account of
past merchandise balances have not
been appreciably reduced. Even the
considerable shipment of stocks from
Great Britain to this country during
the past month has not disturbed at
all the large amount of exchange de.
ferred and hypothecated here. "