The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-17
TRADE VOLUME LARGE
BRADsTREET's REVIEW FOR THE
WEEK TAKES ON A RATHER
CHEERFUL TONE
SOME DIscoURAGING FEATURES

Cause Uneasiness7s or AInrm-For-
eign Demand for Iron and Steel
Seems Likely to Have Important
Effect Upon Prices for the Do
nestle PrOduct-CereaIs Strong.
NEW YORK, Feb f6ABradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Satisfactory advices as to expanding
lines come from 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
crease in trade as compared with last
year, confirmed by satisfactory railroad
earnings reports, by fair gains In bank
clearances, and by reports Of better de-
mand for money in commercial channels.
A year ago, it may be recalled, extremely
stormy weather was experienced, and
some effects, notably those on winter
sown wheat, We're very favorable. This
year opposite conditions have ruled, and
though some talk of lack of snow in the
grain-growing regions is heard, the wide
spread damage from cold is not heard
In fact, unreasonable weather has been
Improbable upon several industries, not
ably those engaged in the manufacture of
footwear, in discouraging sales of the
same, actually causing the shutdown OF
some rubber manufactures, and also In
the lumber and ice business. The search
ty of snow in the Northwest will unques-
tionably affect the log cut this season,
and a frmer tone as to values is already
perceptible, notwithstanding talk of Ia
Dor troubles affecting the building trades
Heavy rains and floods have affected bus
mess and transportation in New England,
New York and Pennsylvania this week,
and cotton and other mills reporting lack
of water as a reason for restricted opera
lions few weeks ago, have been inter
fered with this week by the extremely
high level of the streams from which they
derive power.
1.-The foreign demand for iron and steel
seems likely to have an important effect
upon prices of the domestic product 1t
Is considered that any important recess
sion in value would be9met by a heavily
enlarged export movement. American
pig iron prices are steadily held, the only
weakness noted being. manifested at the
East. Concessions in Southern prices are
claimed not to extend beyond one fur
mace Considerable orders for pig iron
have been placed at full prices. and
Northern coke iron plans have moved
well in the Central West Steel rails are
we'll held, fair business being reported
at the West, but plates are weak, in spite
of improved business.
Spring trade prospects in hardware are
good best reports coming from the West.
The placing of a large order for copper
by New England manufacturers, at 16c,
is regarded as guarantee that prices
will be maintained. Tin is 90c this week,
on improved demand.
1.-THE strength of raw cotton, spots
reaching nearly Sc at New York this
week, is, of course, the leading feature
in speculative way.
'Woolen goods are meeting with good
order business. but raw wool Is rather.
quieter. and some off the higher. grades
have been shaded in the East. Quarter
bloeds and lower grades constitute the
bulk of the business, and these remain
as firm as ever.
1.-The cutting of list prices for anthra-
cite coal Is reported, while bituminous
grades are very firm, and leading cp-
orators talk of further advance, caused
by increased cost, growing out of increas-
ed wages Of mine workers, also because
of the steadily growing foreign demand.
"All the cereals are stronger on the
week, due to improved statistical changes,
repeated English damage reports, and re-
ports that the Argentine crop will not be
as large as expected Some shading in
raw sugar prices Is to be noted. notwith-
standing considerable business done, but
the refined article is firmly held, and re-
finers insist on short delivery periods.
Coffee is fractionally lower, as Is lard and
butter.
Wheat, including flour, shipments for
the week aggregate 1884, 069 bushels,
against 1892, 357 bushels last week, 2,454,771
buhsels In the corresponding week of 1899.
3,G32, T44 bushels In 1898, 2,120 500 bushels In
1897, and 3,149,012 bushels in 1896 Since
July / this season the exports of wheat
aggregated 126, S46 391 bushels, against 1884,
052, $50 bushels last year and 157, 4S2, 2S1
bushels in 1898. Corn exports for the
week aggregate $3.50, 1876 bushels, against
g. 450, 909 bushels last week, ], $50, S45 bushels
In this week year ago, 5,056, 575 bushels
in 1898, 6, 45. 420 bushels in 1887 and isis 800
bushels in 1896 Since July L this season
corn exports aggregate 136. 097, 100 bushels.
against 108, 146. 900 during the same period
year ago, and 146,S 900 bushels in 1897
9S fi
Failures for the week in the United
States number 1885, as compared with 23i
last week, 100 in this week year ago,
269 in 1888, 325 Ia 1897, and ZIG in 1896 Fail
ures in Canada number 81 as compared
with 25 last week, 80 a year ago, 38 in
1895 and % and 30 In 1897 and 1896 re-
spectiyely.