The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-02
THE CONDITION OF TRADE
Firm Prices With Advances in
Many Lines.
CEREALS ARE DECLINING
Cotton Has Also Weakened Pig Iron
Is the Center of Trade Interests.
Heavy Demand-Scar-
city OF Material

morrow will say:
with an exceptionally heavy business
already booked for the latter portion of
the year, the mercantile community
faces the trade situation with con-
hdence testified to by generally very
hrm prices and with quotations in a
number of lines showing further
marked advances. The most conspicu-
Gus exception to this is found in cere-
as which are weak and declining.
Lower prices for wheat, corn and oats
point to speculative liquidation of tired
holders who, with confidence in the fu-
ture of prices have weakened under
unsatisfactory demand large receipts
ana the near approach of expected
heaVy crop movement Corn prospects,
though less rosy, still point to a full
yleld. Cotton, too, has weakened
signify, chiefly because of advices of
rain at the south, though the Texas
crop adViceS are still unsatisfactory
ana stories Of permanent damage are
Forthcoming. With these exceptions most
staples are firmly held or evince de-
cided progress upward. notable in this
latter respect being iron and steel of
all Kinds, but particularly pig iron,
which is now the center of trade inter-
est owing to heavy demand, particular
ly for foundry grades at advancing
prices. The reports would seem to in
dictate that a good part of the product
is already engaged for the first half of
1900
Sympathetic strength is evinced by
other classes of material. among the
materials advancing this week being
bar iron at nearly all markets, steel
billets rolled iron and steel, tin plates
and nails.
From the manufactured textile trade
exceptionally good reports come. Au-
gust witnessed a general gain in the
prices of cotton and wooden goods. evil
IDENTIFY the outcome of an active de-
mand. judging from reports from lead
ing cities.
Scarcity of material and backward
deliveries of the same are reported by
clothing manufacturers at many points
north, west and south. Among other
textiles strength is specially notable in
hemp and sympathy with London.
whence come reports that Philippine
shipments will shortly cease Increased
strength has been impaired to hides
and leather this week by the launching
of the new upper leather combination.
Boot and shoe manufacturers are ac-
ticely employed. but the margin of
profits is reported to be exceedingly
small owing to keen competition.
retains all Oh It's Ola activity,
and in some lines manifests new
strength as regards prices.
The refined sugar apparently still
continues. one result being the stimula-
ton of consumption to a notable ex-
tent. A good business is doing in to-
bacco manufacturing in Florida,
where it is reported the Cuban crop
will be a very large one.
In industrial lines, the situation is re-
ported very satisfactory, employment
is general and strikes and labor trou-
bles generally are conspicuous by their
absence.
Business failures for the week are the
smallest reported for a long time, num-
bering only 1871. as compared with 154
last week, 1874 in this week a year ago,
1873 in 1897, 1916 in 1896, and 1874 in 1895.
Wheat including flour. shipments for
the week aggregate 3.614,413 bushels,
against 3,313,S25 bushels last week;
8. 1877 040 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1873; 6,26s,240 in 1897, 3,360,962
bushels in 1896 and 2,26O,26l bushels In
1895.
Since July this season. the exports
of wheat aggregate 80, 122, 33I bushels |
against 29, 593, 592 bushels last year, and
80, 581, 246 bushels in 1898
Business failures in the Dominion of
Canada for the week number % as
compared with % last week, and in this
week a year ago, 81 in 1897 and 33 in
1896.