The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-05-03
REVIEW OF TRADE.
Contrary to Expectation Trade Continues Very
Brisk-some Large Iron Contracts
Under Way.

Contrary to Expectation Trade Continues Very
Brisk-some Large Iron Contracts
Under Way.
r. G. Dun g. Co.'S Weekly Review
or Trade reports as follows for last
week: All elements considered, 1t Is
rather surprising that business has
not been SGT back n little The uncer-
tainty about Samoa and the prolonging
OF difficulties in the Philippines might
have counted for something, the rising
imports and falling exports for some
thing. the rise of foreign exchange by
some attributed to foreign sales of
copper stocks, and the hindrance of
manufacturing orders owing to the re-
cent advance In prices. But there has
been full faith that foreign difficulties
would soon be cleared away, and the
movement in exchange is generally
connected with speculative rather
than legitimate operations, since ac-
counts of trade still indicate a large
increase of exports. After every rise
In prices manufacturers have to CON-
slider whether hindered consumption
with increased production viii makel
them difficult, but confidence with
which combinations are formed and
extended still shows prevailing belief
that no danger point Is near.
The state of foreign trade justified
confidence rather than apprehension.
1t Is the season for the lowest exports
of staples. and their prices this year
are extremely low. but the unprece-
dented foreign demand for manufac-
tured products so far compensates
that the excess of exports in March
was heavy and apparently has been in
April.
The presence o: English merchants
in Boston trying to sell English medi-
um wool, which could be delivered
there at about SO cents, at the same
time that English buyers were taking
little fine territory for export and
German buyers 100000 pounds more
Australian from bond. shows the OPP
posite trend of popular tastes in diff
ferent countries. Clay worsteds here
cents, which has given a stronger tone
to the whole market. Fine wool is
relatively cheap here and dear abroad.
but concessions make the lowest
prices of the year In all kinds as
heavy stocks carried for years come
300. 100000 pounds. Manufacturers are
not now buying largely, though In four
weeks 30,9lS,7S5 pounds were sold. OF
which 23.3l5.0S5 were domestic. against
IL, 712. $50 in the same weeks two years
ago. when wool was rising.
The cotton manufacture has made
little change, and the strikes follow
Ing the advance in wages given appear
to have benefited manufacturers not n
little by helping the demand and cur
failing the supply of goods. Cotton
Is 1-16c lower. with generally i'm
proved prospects for the coming crop.
Without business. bessemer pig Is
unchanged at Pittsburg and gray
forge strong at s14 so. though $4,000
tons southern have been sold here at
$i4 20. There are some large struc-
tural orders. Philadelphia building
for 1900 tons, western bridge for
5000, Duluth elevator and the st.
Lawrence bridge at Quebec, though
the general run OF orders In this lima
Is light and In rails no large sales are
reported. though inquiries for $4,000
tons are said to be in this market.
Advanced prices are noted In pipe ana
decrease in merchants orders, with
smaller business In sheets and at the
West In bars pending the completion
OF the combination. But the general
decrease In new demand raises the
question whether prices will be main
tanned after current orders run out.
Failures for the week, 1sf In the
United States. against 262 last year.
and 2S in Canada, against l6 last
year.