The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-17
MARKETS TONE is HEALTHY.
BIG INCREASE N TRADE AS COM
PARED WITH LAST YEAR. =

weather Has Been Favorable to
Most Lines Except Rubber Shoes,
Ice and Lumber-GOOh Foreign De-
mand for iron and steeI-Advance
fin spot Cotton Has Been an Inn
portant Fenture-AH Cereals Are
StronGer-Business Failures.
New York, Feb. 16.-Bradstreets to-
morrow viii say:
Satisfactory advices as to expanding
spring trade in dry goods and kindred
lines come from a number OF markets.
That the aggregate business of the coun-'
try is of good volume otherwise is, how
ever indicated by detailed reports of in.
creases ip trade as compared with last,
year. confirmed by satisfactory railroad
earnings reports, by fair gains 10 bank
clearngs and by reports of better demand
for money in commercial channels.
year ago, 1t may be recalled, ex-
tremeiy stormy weather was experienced
and some effects. notably those on winter
sown crops, were unfavorable. This year
opposite conditions have ruled, and though
some talk of lack Of snow In the grain
growing regions is heard, no widespread
damage from cod weather is yet noted.
In fact, unseasonably mid weather has
had an appreciable effect upon several in
dustries, notably those engaged in the
manufacture of footwear, in dlscouraginS
sales of the same, actually causing the
shutdown of some rubber MANUFACTURES
and also in the lumber and ice business.
The secretly Of snow in the Northwest
Will upquestionably effect the log cut this
season, and frmer tone as TO values is
already perceivable. Notwithstanding talk
of labor troubles affecting the building
trades
Heavy rains and floods have affected
business and transportation in New Eng
land and Northern New York this week,
and cotton and other mills reporting lack
of water as a reason for restricted opera
tons few weeks ago have been interfer-
ed with this week by the extremely high
level Of the streams from which they de-
rive power.
With Iron and Steel.
The foreign demand for iron and steel
seems likely TO have a most important eff
feet on prices Of the domestic product. 1t
is conceded that any important recession
in values would be met by a heavily en-
larged export movement American pig
iron prices are steadily held, the only
weakness noted being manifested at the
East. Concessions in Southern prices IRE
claimed not to extend beyond one furnace.
Considerable orders for pig iron have been
placed al full prices and Northern coke
iron particularly has moved well In the
Central West. Steel rails are well held.
a fair business being reported at the
West, but plates are weak in spite of a
heavy business. Spring trade prospects
in hardware are good. the best reports
coming from the West. Copper prices are
maintained, and tone is firm.
Cotton Has Been "A Feature.
The strength of raw cotton, spots reacn-
ing nearly cents at New York this week,
is, of course, the leading feature in spec
ulative way. Despite heavy realizing, and
some irreg ularity, the movement has con-
tinued upward The strength of the raw
product is responsible for the unquestion-
ably active demand for the finished pro-
ducts noted this week at nearly all point.
Southern mills are reported sold ahead on
brown cottons. and stocks are scarce and
the same story of small stocks comes from
New England. Cotton yarns are especial
by active, and some large New England
concerns are seeking to fill their orders I
through the aid of Southern supplies.
Wooden goods are meeting with a good
order business, but raw wool is rather
quieter.
Gle coal is reported. while bituminous
grades are very firm, and leading oper-
ators talk of further advance.
Cereals Are Stronger.
All the cereals are stronger, due to i'm
proved statistical conditions, reiterated
English damage reports and advices that
the Argentine crop will not be as large as
expected Some shading in raw sugar
prices is to be noted Notwithstanding con-
siderable business done, but the refined
grades are firmly held and refiners insist
on shorter delivery periods.
Coffee is fractionally lower, as are also
lard and butter.
Wheat, including flour shipments for
the week, aggregate 3S34O69 bushels
against 2,902.s57 bushels last week.
2.44.7l bushels in the CORE
spending week in 1899; S.SS2,744 bushels
in 1898; 2,12o. S96 bushels i'm 1897 and 3149 o12
bushels in 1896. Since July l. this season.
the exports of wheat aggregate 1875 ,S9l
bushels, against 159 $50 bushels last
year, and 157,Si2,2S1 bushels in 1878
Corn exports for the week aggregate
349O,SS5 bushes, against 1850 800 bushels
last week, l.560,Si5 bushels in this week a
year ago, 5,056,575 bushels in 1898, 6.441 42O
bushels in 1897, and 2,s25 039 bushels in 1886
Since July this season corn exports ag-
gregate 1856 097 100 bushels, against 1914 $40
III bushels during the same period year
ago, and l10.563,246 bushels in lS97-9S
Failures for the week in the United
States number 1899, as compared with 23l
last week, 100 in this week a year ago, 269
in 1898, 325 in 1897 and ;276 in 1896 Fail
ures for the week in, the Dominion of Can
ada number So as compared with g last
week 20 In this week year ago, SO in 1898
and * In 1SQ7 and 1900 raSDapfivatv