The San Francisco call., 1899-11-25
BrddStreet's on Trade.

NEW YORK. Nov 2-Bradstreet's to-mor-
row VIII say: striking illustration OF the un-
derlying strength OF the general business sit
uation is furnished this week by the course OF
prices. Almost without exception values OF
staples remain firm at previous quotations or
manifest still further pronounced tendency
toward higher level. This. too. has occurred
In the face OF rather smaller distribution in
the ordinary trade channels than has been noted
IN recent weeks. So far autumn and winter
traoe is concerned the complaint OF unseason-
ably mild weather restricting retail distribution
Is reported from many cities but rising superior
10 this ana TO the unquestionaby smaller dis
tribution at first hand is the accentuated
strength or textiles, but particularly cotton
goods, which reflect some additional strength
OF the raw product due 10 smaller receipts and
better foreign aGvices. but in d larger meas
ure also portray the influence OF active de-
mahus coming on market exceptionally bare
OF STOCKS. A further advance in print cloths,
a feature OF this week, has brought the quota
ton Tor standard grades up TO cents Il point
not touched Tor four years past. Raw wool is
higher on the week at all markets on active
demand. shared In by the manufactured ma
terial. for which a good fall demand mas been
experienced and in which further price ad-
vances are expected. The American market
for wool is still claimed 10 be the cheapest
In the world. The dullness in heavy winter
goods produced by the present warm weather
mas not as yet served 10 impair confidence in
wholesale lines.
Cereals remain on the whole dull and unin-
terestlng. and price fluctuations are within an
exceptionally narrow range, with quotations
ruling about what they were one year ago.
Copper is strong on n perceptibly improved
demand. chiefly in electrical lines. Coffee has
advanced, partly on the fear OF interruption
or shipments by quarantine restrictions, and
also because OF reduced receipts at Brazilian
points. coupled with strong European advices
Iron and steel are seasonably quiet. after a
year OF unexampled activity but the price
changes recorded serve TO impart an appear
ance rather OF irregularity than OF weakness,
some makes OF steel. particularly plates and
sheets being lower while Bessemer pigiron is
consider prospects OF maintenance of present
conditions OF prices and demand during 1900
as quite favorable. feature OF the market
is the presence OF what might be termed sup
porting orders. which will be forthcoming at
small recessions. Despite prophecies OF checked
export trade. large foreign order for rails
is reported placed this week Coke production
is on an uneNamoled scale and arrangements
for next years supplies are reported COM
pleted, but the iron situation is yet TO be
settled, though a doubling OF last season. S
early agreed price is not unlikely. Not
withstanding a total estimated production OF
4S,O0O,O0O tons OF anthracite coal this year.
increase OF Y per cent on last year. demand has
A good volume OF business is doing in hard
ware, more particularly at Western points, and
the spring outlook is confidently regarded
Wheat, including flour. shipments for the
week aggregate 36SS. .6T bushels. against 4, ,5i0,-
0O7 bushels last week. 5.s24. 726 bushels In the
corresponding week Of 1895 !. I65, l53 bushels in
1897 3.5l36 69S bushels in 1896 and 2.460 3O5 BUSH
els in 1899. Since July this season the K
ports OF wheat aggregate S5.46S.546 bushels.
against 1924 0S3 bushels last year and l0l-
43S 679 bushels in lSy7-9S.
Business failures in the Dominion OF Canada
for the week number 3s as com0ared with -
last week. q in this week year ago, "a in
1896 and % in 1895.