The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-14
BRADsTREETs ON TRADE CONDITIONS.

NEW York, Jan. 13.-Bradstreet's to-mor-
will isay: Perhaps the most notable feat
of the trade situation at present is the
strength of prices of nearly all staples from
some paris, particularly of cereals cotton, iron
and steel which have apparently gained fur
Their ind since the first of the year Ex-
planationI of the strength of wheat Is. OF
course, found in the good cash demand which
seems to meet any slight reaction IN values
and which has placed the price as high as at
any prev ous time for three months past. This
cereal anil corn are both in exceptionally good
demand hbroad, judging from the large
ports repPrted and foreign demand is likewise
the secret Of strength in cotton, shipments of
which continue heavy. A feature of dealings
in this staple is the steady demand for good
grades aid the Indifference manifested toward
low grades which, owing to bad weather at
the South. have been larger than the usual
supply. Cotton manufacturers, indeed, have
been complaining for some time of the low
spinning quality and waste of the present crop.
While large sales of iron and steel are not
so NUMEROUS as In recent weeks. further adj
vances In prices, notably of pigiron, steel
bllets, plates and rods, bear testimony to the
eagernesa of buyers to secure supplies and the
almost corresponding Indifference of the trade
toward rev business order books of most of
the mills being reported well filed Pigiron
production is the heaviest ever known, but
floating Of number of large consultations
in this Industry of late has stimulated in
terest ana discussion in further considerations
The formation of syndicates, however, is not
confined to iron and steel, because within the
week there reports of a projected great
syndicate having for its object the securing
OF contrib of the entire Cuban tobacco sup
ply this year. Among other rumors OF con-
solicitations is the story from the Pacific Coast
of a PROPOSED consolidation of salmon Gamer
les. Tin plates show the effect of the con-
solidatioh in this line in an advance from the
low figure reached months ago. The
strength of cotton goods is still a feature of
the dry goods market, but the hoped for a1-
vance I'M raw wool has not yet materialized
and the trade in manufactured woolens is still
slow. The feeling of confidence in the lum-
Der trade is undated and active demand
hard wopd being particular feature in this
connection. Prices for boots and shoes are held
steady. and the outlook is regarded as favor
able. Leather, too, is firm. and hides are in
sympathy In other industries activity is a
feature, notable instance being the heavy
vessel tonnage now being built both at the
lakes and on the coast, aggregating for mer-
to be far in excess of ahy previous period in
the country's history.
Wheat including -four shipments for the
week aggregate 5,647,711 bushels, against $780,
263 bushels last week; 5,299. 517 bushels in the
corresponding week of 1898; 3.499,154 bushels
in 1897; 1902. 124 bushels in 1896, and 1854 459
bushels in 1895. Since July J. this season. the
exports OF wheat aggregate 1874, 036, 04S bushels
against 49,, 742. sol bushels last year
Business failures for the week show quite
increase over the preceding week number
ing 1893. against 237 last week, but compared
with 1923 in this week year ago. 427 in 1897
412 in 1896. and 37S in 1895.
Canadian failures for the week number thir-
ty-four. against twenty-six last week fifty
eight in this week year ago, fifty-nine in
1897. seventy-four in 1885, and sixty-three In