Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-11-08
THEBUSINESS OUTLOOK
As Reported by r. G. Dun & Co.'S
Agency.
THE WAR IN THE TRANSyAAL.

British Reverses In South Africa Have q
Tendency to Cause the Englishmen to
Look to America for Securities-Enor-
NOUS Sales of Wool at Boston-Shoe
Dealers Refuse to Pay the Higher Prices
Asked by the Manufacturers.
New York, Nov. 6.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade says:
British disasters in South Africa
have brought to view something beside
the steady self-relance of the English
people, that they hold not many Ameri-
can securities to be dislodged in any
time for alarm, but are inclined to take
more when stocks and money look for
safe investment.
A little decline of u of a cent in
hinder exports, though it is some evil
dence that growers think they have
ample supplies. Atlantic exports of
wheat for five weeks have been, -four
included, 15,6S6,599 bushels. against
is, 1S2, 631 bushels last year. and Pa
cific exports 2,713,551 bushels, against
BOT, 434 bushels last year.
Western receipts of wheat have
continued heavy, but have not rivaled
last years extraordinary outpouring.
amounting to only 39,95S,0S7 bushels
In five weeks, against 1880 91 bush
els last year, but western corn re-
ceipts run ahead of last years in the
same weeks, and the exports have
been 1S,64S,044 bushels. against H.
sos, 15S bushels last year.
Enormous sales of Wool
The enormous sales of wool at Bos-
ton. 21,557,500 pounds reported, max
ing q, 1865, 700 pounds at the three chief
markets for the week, are extremely
important. That not all is for con-
sumption, as the trade is naturally
tempted to believe, may be true, and
yet actual purchases by the mills of
half that quantity would imply ex-
traordinary encouragement respecting
the demand for wooden goods. The
prices have been generally advanced
to an average scarcely below that of
May, 1892, and for Ohio washed, light
and dark unwashed, and pulled wool
slightly higher. Expectation of higher
prices ut London prompted much
speculative buying, but the demand
for wooden goods is also undeniably
encouraging.
The cotton manufacture has also
great demand, with prices constantly
rising, so that with middling uplands
at 1856 cents goods are relatively
nearer in price than they have been
since Oct l. but whether both will ad-
vance much further depends upon the
correctness of current estimates Of the
forthcoming crop.
In the Iron Trade.
Prices of pig iron for early deliver
les are still advancing, but as a great
part Of the demand has protected it.
self by contracts running far into next
year. including purchases of $4,000
tons Bessemer this week at $3.50, and
as billets are quoted at $3.50 for spot,
but $50 for next year, the market can
be interpreted several ways. An
thracite pig is also quoted at $24.5O
for early delivery and local coke at
Chicago. But no finished products
have advanced during the last week,
excepting refined bars. which the
eastern association has put up 81 per
ton. More weakness appears in some
lines of which the works have not or
ders running far ahead. But it is
claimed that 100000 tons of rails, so
pei SCht VI TIC cutiIt capacity, has
been sold for next year. Tin is weaker
at 1880 cents and lake copper at II
cents. while spelter is offered at 4.S5
cents.
Future Orders Restricted.
Dealers are refusing to pay the
higher prices asked by manufacturers
of boots and shoes to such an extent
that future orders are somewhat re-
stricted. Yet the October shipments
were 473,722 cases. against 415,259
last year, an increase Of IL per cent,
and 1861, 900 in the same week of 1892,
an increase Of nearly 80 per cent.
Considerable irregularity appears in
the relation between demand and sup
ply, with rather more general hesi-
fancy in buying on the part Of dealers
in women's goods.
Hides and leather remain strong.
packers having somewhat advanced
prices at Chicago, their supplies being
sold four to six weeks ahead
ILLINOIS FLAG LAW VOUn