The Topeka state journal., 1900-01-20
REACTION IN IRON.
Prices Tend to Decline and Buying Is
Resumed.

Resumed.
New York. Jan. 2O.-R. C. Dun & Co.'S
Weekly Review of Trade says:
Whether the new year viii surpass
or keep pace with the old is the ques-
tion which gives special interest to
every weeks returns. Comparing now
with business by far the largest and
most prosperous ever known a year
ago. more than 40 per cent. larger than
in January, 1898, which in it's turn had
shown heavier business than in any
year preceding, it can not be expected
that such a gain will be repeated. But
the decrease of 9.5 per cent. in pay
ments through clearing house is wholly
due to the great speculative activity
at New York last year, with sales OF
1Z031, ,S32 shares against 6,581,920 to the
same date this year, for payments out
side this city have been AZ per cent.
greater than a year ago, and greater
than in the same part of any other
month
This week one contract of 10000 tons
for western road and two for bridges
requiring II, 900 tons are the only big
transactions reported in iron products,
but heavy business was secured by con-
cesSlOnS for plates at PittSburg, going
materially below 225, and for bars at
Philadelphia below 220, the price of
the association. Sheets are also lower
at the east, but 81 higher at Pittsburg.
sales OF foundry pig at reduced prices
include two for 10000 tons, and Le-
high is quoted at $24, but Bessemer and
grey forge at Pittsburg are held un-
changed, though without sales.
The copper output of this country in
1899 was 262, ,206 tons greater by 81, 900 or
bS72 per cent. than in 1895, while the
foreign product last year, 1920 tons,
gained in the four years only 3,062 tons.
The prices Of copper and lead are un-
ral7a rod Will Of
Perhaps the most important industrial
event is the marketing of wooden
goods at prices averaging 1874 per cent.
higher than last year, many makes
having been promptly sold up and
Withdrawn, while others sell so well as
to give great encouragement. AS wool
quotations average 34.9 per cent.
higher than year ago the rise in goods
IS not excessive. But hopes of wool
spectators for a further rise were
dashed by the fall of per cent in me-
rinOs at the London sale, with cross
breds weaker, and considerable sales at
concessions of IL to 3 cents followed
mere, one OF 100000 Montana at 20 cents
with numerous orders to sell consign-
ments hitherto held off the market
sales in three weeks, Ia, ,920, 500 pounds
nave been smaller than in the CORE
spending weeks of the three previous
years.
Business in cotton goods begins to in
crease, though in staples still moder-
ate The goods now average 29.7 per
cent. higher than a year ago, and with
the rise this week to 7.S1 cents cotton
IS II per cent higher. Belief in
short crop has helped the goods mar
ket and still sustains it, though cotton
is a little lower than it was two months
ago. Receipts from plantations con-
tinue over a third smaller than last
year, but exports decreased quite as
much.
Shipments of shoes from the east in
execution Of old orders continue larger
than in any previous year. ESQ. .25S cases
in three weeks, over 20 per cent. larger
larger than in 1898. But new business
does not amount to a quarter of the
current production, it is said and in
every line doubt about maintenance of
prices hinders buying
The market for breadstuffs is not ac-
tive, nor have changes in prices of ell
evator wheat been of any consequence
but the active May option shows a
sharp decline. Atlantic EXPORTS con-
tinue far below former years, in three
weeks $685. 325 bushels, against 10 224. -
OS2 last year, and Pacific exports in the
same weeks were 2291, us. against !. =
S5S,s94 last year. Western receipts We're
IN three weeks only s, ,632 1872, against
Is. COS, ,4S2 last year
Corn receipts are smaller than last
year by 5,000,000 bushels for three
weeks, while exports have been 1O. .3S5.-
1855 bushels, against 9,510,499 last year.
and this active movement caused SPOT
quotations to advance
Failures for the week have been 942
in the United States against 24S last
year. and 40 in Canada, against 90 last
year.