The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-09-30
DUN'S WEEKLY
REVIEW OF TRADE
Demand in All Lines is Steadily
Increasing.
TIL CONSUMPTION OF IRON
Foreigners Have Helped to Sustain
Pr;nae-ra44o,,rs fy,..s. cs1,.;o,,e1., a &. =
Foreigners Have Helped to Sustain
Prices-Cotton Crop Seriously At =
fected by Drought in South
No Statement of Failures

New York. September OR. G: Dun &
Cos. weekly review of trade will say to-
morrow:
September is the twelfth consecutive
month in which the volume of business
both at New York and outside New York
has been greater than in the same month
of any previous year. In these twelve
months payments through the clearing
houses have been $S9,6OO000 against $61 ,200,
100000 in the twelve months ending with
September, 1892 an increase of $2S 400 600
over 46 per cent When the tremendous
expansion began men called it relinquish-
ment of long depleted stocks, then fer
time 1t was called a crazy outburst of
speculation and when demand still ex-
banded, some permanent increase of busi-
ness was recognized as a result of in
creased population earning better wages.
But the demand still grows, now ranging
about 60 per cent. greater than in 1892 while
popula ton, according to the treasury esti-
mates is 16 per cent. greater and wages are
not over 10 per cert greater. reconstruc-
ton of business and industries of producing
and transporting forces is in progress
Throughout the land with results which
none can now measure.
Iron consumption instead of 100000 tons
per month in 1892 is now over 100000 tons
per month and is yet so far behind the
demand for products that the capacity OF
most works is sold far on into next year
With sales of 10000 tons at Pittsburg Bes-
semer pig rose to $3.50. Chicago coke and
southern pig iron rose 81, and new furnaces
are sold many months ahead before they
begin work. Bars are hard to get at any
price, the whole output of the Republic
company being sold to January, and S2.2o
is quoted for common at Pittsburg, while
at Chicago the great demand for car build
ing falls on works over crowded Contracts
for 5000 tons of plates have been placed at
Pittsburg and at all points the price is ris-
ing with astonishing demand. Sheets
also higher with the demand intensified by
renewed efforts for consolidation.
Shipments of boots and shoes from Bos-
ton have been 3500,676 cases against 2,8l3,-
6S2 in 1892, and in four weeks 39O,622 cases
against S60699 last year, 376,71 in 1897 and
less in any other year. Here the increase is
more nearly proportional to population and
wages. but works are adj a month or more
behind their orders for the season. Spring
orders fair, but restricted still by I'M
Willingness Oh makers to contract largely
at prices now obtana5le, which average
about 8 cents advance where makers deem
~ cents necessary.
The wool market is active, with a general
advance averaging Zee on washed fleece
combing and some unwashed. The entire
list quoted by Coates Bros. probably aver
ages about NC higher Heavy weight
woolens are well cleaned up and of spring
worsted lines with dark clays being nomi-
nally advanced to better advantage
A broader selling arrangement at Fall
River seems likely to prevent the proposed
consolidation. Cotton opened the crop year
at 6.25 cents and has risen to 6.S7, although
about quarter more came into sight than
last year at this time. But the belief in
serious loss by drought gains ground and
also belief in largely increased manufac-
ture.
Wheat exports from Atlantic and Pacific
ports have been 1856 bushels for the
week flour included against 4S6l OPP last
year and in four weeks 1851 1853 bushels
against 10 06l S6l last year. The foreign de-
mand has aided to sustain prices which
closed 7sc higher than last week although
western receipts have been 1929 Sic bushels
in the past four weeks against 81 ,S3O5I3 last
year. Corn is unchanged in price and still
in large foreign demand, exports having
been in four weeks u, 155. 904 bushels against
8 1851 last year and western receipts of
24,4s3,@4 bushels against 15,Sls,2s2 last
year.
No statement of failures will be made
until next week.
Hester's Weekly statement
New Orleans, September 29.-Secretary
Hester's weekly New Orleans cotton ex-
change statement issued before the close