The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-05
DUN & cos TRADE REVIEW.

New York, December 1.-R. CT. Dun
& Co.'S weekly Review of Trade tomor-
row will say:
business continues wonderfully large,
prosperous and healthy. AS the de-
tailed statement of failures by
branches of business cannot be made
until next week. it seems well 70 say
h a in our weeks failures have been
reported amounting to 81, S48, $50,
against $S,110,475 in the same weeks of
last year, $11 SIC, 195 in 1897. and over
$l2, 7OO,O 600 in 1896 and also in 1895. Yet
h volume of solvent trade represent
ed by exchanges at the principal clear
ing houses has been for the month
22.5 per cent. greater than last year,
and 46 per cent. greater than in 1892.
Thus the ratio of defaults TO business
payments vas $2.57 in 81, 900 for No
vember, 1895; $2.75 for 1896, $2.15 for
1897, but $1.25 for 1898 and My 80
cents in 81 900 for 1899. In many lines
the volume of business has peer larger
h in October, Notwithstanding the
extraordinary flood of buying ever
since the beginning of last March.
Wheat remains weak, yielding IA
cents, although western receipts were
barely half last years for the week,
and for our weeks only q, 743, sos bush
els, against 1902, 739 bushels last year.
The great decrease in Atlantic exports,
for the week only 2,410, 554 bushels,
against 6,123, 066 bushels last year, and
for four weeks 10,173,7 1876 bushels,
against 1888, 210 bushels last year. ex-
plants much weakness.
Corn declined 1 cent with slightly
week, but for four weeks 15,2 65, 745
hJlGhplc 9Oainct II 40 noe hIJchoIc net
yea
The cotton movement has not chang
ed much. but prices gained Lice for
the week, closing at 7.S1 cents against
5.62 cents last year. The larger TAX
ings of spinners and the great demand
for goods have materially helped the
rise.
Cotton goods have remained strong.
all coming forward not under contract
being snapped up quickly, with con-
tracts still untitled running into next
year. In woolens a strong demand
continues for dress goods, and cotton
warp and all-WOol cashmeres tend
higher.
The iron manufacturer has to meet
a greatly increased cost of material
next year. Prices for 1900 have been
fixed at $3.50 for Bessemer ore at lower
lake PORTS, against 1888 last year and
9f.L0 IOE lOIl-beSSculeT against 81
last year, while coke at $2.75 for fur
nae with high rail rates in every di-
rectiOn indicate that iron will not be
made next year as cheaply as has been.
Prices Of pig still advance, according
to The Iron Age-Bessemer to $25 at
PittSburg, with very small transact
tons, and grey forge to $21.25, quota
lions at other points being unchanged.
Prices of some finished products are
still yielding, as works run out of or
ders and compete with each other for
more business, and refined bar is 81
per ton lower at Philadelphia, com
mon 81 per ton lower at Pittsburg, and
plates SO lower at Philadelphia, with
further concessions in sheets, because
many of the tinplate works are now
closed Some Of the iron works about
Pittsburg are running half time.
The shipments of boots and shoes in
four weeks have been &c., 07 cases, IA
per cent. larger than in 1897, and 33
per cent. larger han in 1894, exceed
ing those of other years even more.
But new business, although considera-
bic in quantity, shows marked de-
because of the prolonged rise in
prices, even though hat rise has been
leather, which still continues, or in
hides, which has apparently been
checked again.
Failures for the week have been LA
in the United States, against 281 last
year, and 81 in Canada, against 10 last
year.