The San Francisco call., 1899-05-27
BRADsTREETs ON TRADE CONDITIONS

K, Zb.-BraQStreet
row will say:
Favorable features of current trade still, as
for a long time past, largely outnumber those
Of an opposite character. Wholesale distribu-
tton is naturally less active the season sd-
vances. but COMPARISONS with last year are
still very satisfactory. Much is hoped for from
better weather conditions stimulating retail
trade hitherto held in check by the backward
spring season. Industrial activity is wide
spread and the prices Of most staples are either
very firm or tending upward except in the
cases of products affected by weather condi-
tions. That often relied upon barometer of gem
eral business conditions, the iron and steel
trade, reports increasing rather than lessenng
ac -ivity, Notwithstanding the approach of
warm weather. In some lines in fact the
situation is becoming rather excited The pres
sure Of consumptive demand really seems likely
to either do away with entirely shorten very
apprecabiy the summer shutdown period
Features in this trade are very heavy buying by
prominent interests in the Central West ad
Nances in pres Of all grades OF pigirUn and
many varieties OF the more finished product
and predictions of still higher prices to come
coupled with denals by leading interests of the
corner in the market for crude pig. Indi-
cations that the volume of business now
being done or offered is far in advance Of all
previous records. Export trade is feeling the
check. due not entirely to advancing prices
however. but to actual inability to take new
bus ness at any price.
The market for manufactures of cotton IS a
gooC second to that of iron and Steel strength
being feature in nearly all the branches. and
n rumber of advances being registered for the
week. The raw product, however reflects lit
tie of this strength, though the advance in fin
slightly improved crop conditions, a result of
needed rains Wool is rather less active so far
as new business is concerned but reflects re-
cent heavy speculative buying and relatively
higher prices at interior points than at the
seaboard in firm quotations. The demand for
lumber and building materials generally con-
tinues unabated. and there is talk of brick
manufacturers following examples set by other
trades and combining to regulate the output
Raw sugar is firm. and the opening of the fruit
season gives confidence In steady nrices for the
regned article. Boots and shoes hold recent ad
vances, and hides and leather are firm in SYM
pathy The trade situation is however not
entirely without its drawbacks Reports from
winter wheat become increasingly unfavorable
conservative estimates pointing to 100 900 Oo0
bushels smaller crop, owing to insect damage
and near futures are higher the week Ex-
port trade in several lines are smaller than of
late partl owing to less urgent demand for
our food supplies and partly to smaller shin
ments Of manufa t"red gooos
/ Wheat dncluding four) shipments. for the
week aggregate 3.1sS. 319 bushels against PIP
COG bushels last week, 4309 1873 bushels in the
corresponding week of 1898, 2, ,0S1 1926 bushels in
1897 2064 $50 bushels in 1896 and 2 426 677 bush
els in 1895. Since July ] this season the ex-
| ports of wheat aggregate 20S. 469. 373 bushels.
| against 210, S96 97S bushels last year.
Business failures for the week number i5S. as
against 1es last week, 231 in this week a wear
ago. 257 in 1897 227 in 1896, and 1S3 in 1895
Business failures in Canada number 90 as
against is last week and in this week a year
ago, 20 in 1897, % in 1896 and &c in 1895.
DUN'S WEEKLY REVIEW OF TRADE.
NEW YORK, May 26.-R G. Dun's weekly
review of trade VIII say tomorrow: