Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-11

S,7O4,693 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1885, Since July this season
the exports of wheat aggregate 1929
S5S bushels against 77,62O,216 bushels
last year.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
4,5S3,447 bushels, against 4,503. 1925 bush
els last week and 2,342,745 bushels in
this week year ago. Since July 1 this
season corn exports aggregate S3, 743,-
247 bushels, against 53297 1872 bushels
during the same period a year ago.
Failures for the week number 49,, as
compared with ia last week and 1877 in
this week a year ago. Business failures
in the dominion of Canada number IS,
as against 81 last week and 80 in this
week year ago.
Chicago Iron and steel Mark cts.
Chicago, Nov. 11.-Iron and Steel, the
organ of the western iron trade, today
says:
| Except in the matter of sheets, the
iron and steel markets in the west con-
| tinue to display the same strength that
has existed throughout the year. The
sheet market has suffered a partial coll
lapse. Yet when viewed in the light of
all the circumstances, it is natural
The drop is estimated at from to Is
per cent. There is an irregularlty to
prices, but 3.10c for black sheets and 70
per cent for galvanized, car load lots,
from mill, are perhaps fair quotations
for the moment. The failure of the
proposed combination of sheet mills,
options for which expired Nov. 1, is the
usual explanation for the slump. Some
interests We're very Jealous to accom-
plish the proposed union and not un-
naturally little feeling fingered after
the fate of the effort was sealed. Some
mills that leaned upon the imagined ar
tificial strength took drop when that
support was removed. There has been
a scramble for business. The competi-
ton was aided by the naturally dull
season of the year. The tinplate mills
have reduced their acquisitions for ma
terial and the outlook for the sheet
mills was not so fortified as in some
other lines. 1t is stated that large con-
tracts have been placed ut the current
reduced prices and that these have been
of sufficient volume to counteract thes
decline and give the market again the
quality Of strength. 1t is also said that
sales have been made below cost. A
meeting of sheet mill men has been
called for an early date and it is not
improbable that soon the sheet market
may be back again in line with other
products.
AT any rate, the sheet weakness may
properly he regarded as an episode and
not as a symptom of the general condi-
tons Elsewhere in iron and steel,
wherever the vision may roam. firmness
and strength seem to be in command of
the situation. 1t is the season Of dull
ness for plates. but prices are well
maintained. Bars are we'll intrenched
in their present levels. 1t is said on
good authority that the status of iron
bars for the first six months of 1900 is
practically assured. that while the
product for that period has not all been
sold, enough product has been placed to
make certain that the entire output
for the half year will be needed and
that the mills will be run at full capa-
city Thought is now directed to the
values to be established for the second
half of the ensuing year. though in
auiries to date are rot important
The advance in freight rates Nov. ]
are getting into prices; From the val
leys and from the Pittsburg district the
rise in cost Of transportation is Sc or &c
per 100 pounds. Some sellers maintain
as vet the prices at Chicago. but on mill
shipments the cost is increased by that
amount Advances for the week have
been mainly for finished products
Quite a number OF small articles in
hardware have been marked up Wag
on hardware is up 10 per cent and sar
gents building hardware from 10 to Is
per cent. The volume Of trade contin-
-nes eminently satisfactory to sellers.