The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-24
TRADE OUTLOOK GOOD
BRADSTREET,s CAN SEE NOTHING
DIsCOURAGING IN THE BUsI-
NESS WORLD
FOREIGN DEMAND FOR WHEAT

1t Is Rather Smaller Than Had been
Expected-There Seems to BE
Ample In the Country, Being
Held Back Perhaps for Better
Prices-Some Reductions in Iron
and Steel Quotations.
NEW YORK, Feb. 23-Bradstreet's re-
view Of the state of trade will say to-
morrow:
General -distributive trade is satisfac-
tory in volume, though affected by wealth
er conditions and holidays. Spring bust
ness is charging at many places East and
West tho presence of buyers being en-
couraged by special passenger rates. A
softening Of prices of speculatively dealt
in staples Is to be noted, but the reac-
| lions are Of narrow extent. Money is
steady, as a whole, and no higher than
a week ago. Bank clearings cempari-
sons are rather less favorable, partly be-
cause of less speculative activity at this
time last year. Gains in railway earn
ings for the first two weeks Of February
are of absolutely phenomenal proportions.
but 1t must be remembered that there
were exceptionally severe weather cond-
tons experienced last year. In spite of
this, however, 1t is to be said that east
bound tonnage Is of unparalleled volume,
while Shipments Of spring goods to the
country are very large.
That railroads are being badly cut Is
confidently asserted The earnings of six
ty roads for the second week of February
aggregate $7,941,000, an increase of S04
per cent over the same period year ago.
Business as whole continues on a large
scale, encouraging alike to distributors
and consumers.
Foreign demand for wheat remains
small. American stocks are large, farmers
are reported holding supplies back, and
crop damage scares are discounted by
| mild weather. The strength of corn has
been feature. foreign demand being of
great proportions, and this has furnished
a supporting element In the wheat mar
ket. General complaint Of the low grade
of offerings comes from primary mar
kets. Large sales of flaxseed are expected
to encourage the planting of that on land
ordinarily devoted to spring wheat In the
Northwest
Wheat, including -four, shipments for
the week aggregated 3,660,S50 bushels,
against $685., O69 last week; 3.S44,359 bushels
III Tic corresponding week OI 1855, H. fo5
bushels in 1898: 1,372,l6S bushels in 1897,
and 2206.773 bushels in 1895. Since July 1
this season exports of wheat aggregate
130,557,1 73 bushels, against 1872, S97, 2S9
bushels last year, and 49,, 2O4,750 bushels
in 1898. Corn exports for the week ag-
,, gregate 2,S96,175 bushels, against $50
last week; 2,S71057 bushels in this week
a year ago; 1892, 799 bushels in 1898; 4,744,-
1858 bushels in 1897, and 8, 15S, 318 bushels in
Tr,I-y
aggregate 1873, 1893 2S4 bushels, against no.
110,173 bushels during the same period a
year ago, and ia, 256,045 bushels in 1898.
| There is a larger volume of business in
pig iron at some markets, but sales and
prices of that product are quite steady.
The floating of the new sheet combine
has impaired strength to that branch of
the trade. Heavy engagements OF steel
billets are announced, which have reliev-
ed the pressure in that line somewhat.
Structural iron continues active, indicat-
ing heavy building operations the COM
ing spring and summer Foreign iron
markets retain all their old strength and
lower ocean freight would, 1t Is argued,
bring about great enlargement of our
export trade. Copper is quieter, but
steady in price. and tin notes a further
advance, in sympathy with foreign spec
ulation. Hardware is improving in dis
tribution in the West.
Business failures for the week number
1853, as compared with 1879 week ago. 220
in this week a year ago, 1873 In 1898, 25S in
1897, and 270 in 1895.
THE strength Of staple values is fea-
ture of Canadian trade. Toronto reports
heavy buying of spring and summer
goods. Retailers will carry over some
stocks of winter clothing. Industrial ac-
tivity is very marked Canadian factories
running to their fullest capacity. BUSH
ness failures for the week number Is, as
compared with IS last week, 80 In this
week year ago. 45 In 1898, so in 1897, and
81 in 1896"