The San Francisco call., 1899-05-06
DUN's WEEKLY REVIEW OF TRADE

NEW YORK. May 5.-R. G Dun & Co. in
their weekly review of trade tomorrow will
say:
The failures in April were the smallest in
any month since records by months began IS
per cent smaller than in April of last year
not third of the amount in 1887. and not half
the amount of April of any previous year.
Both in manufacturing and in trading they
We're the smallest ever known in that month.
and in trading the smallest ever known in
any month. The ratio through clearing
houses less than 20 cents per $1,000.
against 80 cents in January and 81 10 in
March; 81 SO in August and IS O2 in Sep
tember, 1896. A great share OF the risk
in the business world has been eliminated.
1t is not inconsistent nor strange If business
halts, because ii has been crowded to the ut
most Tor four months in anticipating future
needs on account of new combinations pro-
posed. In some cases prices have been ad-
vanced so far as to check new business. and
in others works have been engaged far
ahead that new orders cannot be taken. Yet
new business in amount which would have
been astonishing two years ago. is still com
ing forward and the voluntary advance in
wages by the firms central association, and
by the Frck coke works whose shipments in
April. 30.452 cars the heaviest ever
known show confidence in the future. At
Buffalo and in Idaho strikes are causing
trouble. but labor questions elsewhere do not
affect general business.
The grain market has fallen off. only 2464,1 14s
bushels having been received at the West dur
ing the week, against 765 719 bushels last
year, and of corn only 2,672,4l7 bushels have
year, while wheat exports from both coasts
have been better, 3545, ,757 bushels. -four in
cuded, against z, ,545 237 bushels last year.
Nearly all iron works are crowded for months
ahead, but good many are catching up with
their orders, which have recently diminished.
The report that all the great companies
to be melted into one influences the stock mar
ket. but is still scarcely credited. and the rails
ing of foreign prices where American compe-
ttion is longer felt is suggestive. Pig is
nowhere higher. nor has any class of finished
products established higher prices though in
m demand exceeds
speculation made a higher price for tin at
S25 s., although Atlantic receipts in April 5lO5
tons were the largest on record, and copper
is stronger at $19 25 for Lake, although Euro
pean stocks rising.
Shipments Of boots and shoes from the East
in five weeks have been but 14.S per cent larger
than last year. IA per cent larger than in the
than in 1892. Factories are busy for orders for
months at old prices, and 212 cents advance is
paid new orders for several grades. But the
only change in leather is small advance in
Union sole, and hides are half of one cent
stronger at Chicago.
Wool sales for the week have been large, s.
S59 S53 pounds. owing to sales Of over 1000, coo
pounds Australian in bond for export, and
heavy speculative purchases of Territory The
wool year ends with heavy stocks on hand and
prices about 10 per cent lower than last year,
British prices averaging about II per cent
higher for Australian fine but about 10 per
cent lower for English and crossbred wools.
Sales of domestic wool in four months have
been 1888, 735 pounds. more than in any year
excepting 1897, when spectators We're taking in
the heavy stocks. which of them have
recently Deen SelllllS At a loss, Dut sales of
eign have been 81, 725,503 pounds for the year
against 93;264 $50 pounds in that year. The
market in goods is a little stronger with an
advance in clay mixtures. but IN general is
waiting for the outcome of new combinations
and about some Of these there is still doubt
whether they will be completed. The worsted
combination has gone into operation, but with
out interfering with deliveries of goods under
previous orders. The cotton goods market Is
the most steady because some strikes still limit
production a little, but is quite encouraging
and active, and in some staples has further ad-
Vanced.
Failures for the week have been 1853 in the
United States. against 23S last year, and % in
Canada, against % last year.
NEW YORK GRAIN AND PRODUCE