The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-05-03
REVIEW OF THE
WEEK IN TRADE.
Surprising Strength Main
tained Under Conditions.

Surprising Strength Malu-
tanned Under Conditions.
New York. April 28.-R G. Dun
& Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade
will say ALL clemens considered it
is rather surprising that business has
not been set back little. The
uncertainty about Samoa and the
| prolopging of difficulty in the Phil
/ ippines might have counted for
something, the rising imports and
falling exports for something, the rise
in foreign exchange By some attrib-
u,ed to foreign sales of copper stocks,
and the bindrance of manufacturing
orders owing to the recent advance
/ in prices. But there has been full
fsith that foreign difficulties would
soon be cleared away, and the move.
ment in exchange is generally con-
nected with speculative rather than
legitimate operations since accounts
of trade still indicate large excess
of exports After every rise in
prices manufacturers have to con-
slider whether hindered consumption
with increased production will make
them difficult, but the confidence
with which combinations are formed
and extended etill shows prevailing
belief that no danger point is near.
The state of foreign trade justified
confidence rather than apprehension.
1t is the season for the lowest exports
of staples, and their prices this year
are extremely low, bat the unprece-
dented foreign demand for manufac-
tured products so far compensates
that the excess Of exports in March
was heavy and apparently has been
in April
The presence of English merchants
in Boston trying to sell English
medium wool which could be deliv-
cred at about 80 cents at the same
time English buyers were taking a
little fine for export and German
buyers 100000 pounds more Aus.
tra.ian from bond shows the opposi-
zion trend of popular taste in differ.
eut countries Clay worsteds here
have advanced Z IL cents and
serges 5 cents, which has given a
stronger tone to the whole market.
Fine wool is relatively cheap here
and dear abroad but concessions all
kinds, ss heavy stocks carried for
years come into presence of new
wool said to be 100000 pounds.
Manufacturers are not now buying
largely. though in four weeks
30,7lS,T85 pounds were sold, of
which 23.3l5,065 were domestic,
against Al, l,712.650 in the same weeks
two years ago, when wool was rising.
The cotton manufacture has made
little change, and the strikes following
the advance in wages given appears &c
have benefited manufacturers not a little
by helping the demand, and curtailiDg
toe supply Of goods. Cotton IS a six.
teepsb lower. with generally improved
prospects .for the coming crop The
boot aud shoe industry surpasses all
other years 10 April shipments, last
year by II per cent. 1895 BY 13 per
cent. and 1892 sy IS per cent, and
manufacturers are generally provided
With orders for months ahead, but toe
advance asked does nos appear to have
been generally paid.
Without business. Bessemer pig is
unchanged at Pisssburg and grey forge
strong at Sl4.5o. though 10000 soas
southern have been sold here at S14- 20.
There are some large structural orders,
a Philadelphia building for II 900 toos,
a western bridge for 5000 Duiu'h
elevator aod tie ST. Lawrence bridge at
Quebec, though toe general run of
orders 10 this line is light. ADD in rails
10 larger sales are reported, though
Inquiries for $4,000 tons are said to be
in this market. Advanced prices are
ro,ed 10 pipe aud decrease in merchants
orders. With smaller business ia sheets,
aud st the west in bars pending the
coz ple,i,on Of the con bioatioo Bot
;hs genera, decrease in pew demand
raises toe question whether prices will
be maintained after curreet orders run
out
Faiio,es for the week, 184 in the
United States, against 1852 lest year,
aud % in Capada, against Is last year