The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-28
THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO 1T.
But THE TRADE SITUATION As A
WHOLE IS FAVORABLE.

Aggregate OF business Is Undoubtcd-
Iy Larger Than II Was n Year Ago.
Crop Prospects Generally, Are All
That Can BE Desired-shoclS tn
Steel and Iron VIII Not Materially
Affect It-Grain Exports and BuSi-
ness Failures.
New York, April 27-Bradstreefs To-
morrow win say:
Evidences of the fact that there are now
two sides to the general trade situation,
where for a year past there was but one,
come to light each week. Different sec
lions of the country and lines of business
return differing reports, but that the sit
uation as a whole Is favorable one ana
suffers merely by compa Fison with the
enormous and almost feverish activity Ct
some time ago is also evident.
Excluding the great speculative centers
the aggregate of business is undoubtedly
larger than a year ago and the business
done even in several industries reporting
reduced activity would seem large even to
those bearishly inclined had it not been
for the enormous aggregate done some
short time ago.
crop prospects, except HI Al4S W llNdt a. 60
of the Central West and in some flooded
sections Of the South, remain all that
might be wished for. Retail demand is i'm
proving and nothing Of a definitely de-
pressing character has yet deveoped
In the abrupt REIMBURSEMENT OF steel and
wire prices the iron and steel industry
received a notable shock, but has stood the
ordeal very well. confirming earlier ad-
vices of the substantial and non-specuia-
tive basis for the immense activity and
greatly advanced prices of the past year.
The possibilities of renewed export trade
in pig iron have constituted one of the
foremost supports to that industry. Last
week s reports of heavy sales of Southern
iron for export are amply confirmed, and
an enormously larger tonnage could be
placed if freight rates and room were
favorable.
Hardware Is in Increasing distribution
at the West but rather quiet in Eastern
markets. Among other metals, copper
is firm, while tin is rather weaker.
One of the most favorably situated In
dustries is that of shoes. Manufacturers
are reported active, jobbers are busy and
able weather is inducing a good
distribution from retail hands
Paints, oils and drugs are also in good
distribution, while the strength of bitum-
in3us coal, partly owing to the strike, but
also to the increased demand for this
p oiuct, is sympathetically reflected in the
enlarged demand fer the steam grades of
anthracite, which are expected TO be ad-
vanced on May l.
Agricultural Products.
In agricultural products the situation is
generally one of ustained strength. Some
slight shading in wheat prices is largely
\the result of the hattering winter wheat
crop prospects in the sections west of the
Mississippi. Spring wheat seeding is re-
ported almost completed in the North
west, much ahead of the average.
Corn has been quite strong, partly on
Continued good export demand and part
IS in sympathy with provisions, which
are str niger, more because of the steady
corsumptiye requirements than because of
lighter receipts in hogs.
The sharp advance In prices Of lumber
last year, aud the unsettled position of
the labor situation in the building trades
are jointly he'd fespcnsble fer he rather
Disappointing business reported this
spring. Hem.ock lumber Is lower and
while pine is also weaker, but the hard
woocs maintain much Of their old
strength.
Other lines reporting special quietness
are the wholesale dry goods trades at the
East, where retailers are reported well
Supplied with goods; the jewelry business,
particularly the manufacturers who re-
port business rather DALI and the grocery
trades.
Wheat, including -four shipments for the
week, aggregate 3,6SSS6S bushels, against
S,S9S,45 last week, S,oeS403 in the CORE
spending week OF 1883; 4,449,&9 in 1898; l.,
1855 $50 in 1897 and ,494 in 1896.
Since July l, this season. the exports Of
wheat aggregate 16l ,4SS, 40 bushels, against
1856 81 bushels last year. and l95, 1852, 1858
bushels in lS97-9S
Corn exports for the week aggregate
3629,664 bushels, against 3,15s,747 last week.
2615,C97 in this week a year ago, 4216,066
in 1898. 1861 465 in 1897, and 2142, 595 in 1896
Since july !, this season. corn exports ag-
gregated 100, 10000, against 139, 662 S23 dur
ing the same period a year ago, and 49,
349,39l in 1S97-9S
Failures for the week In the United
States are well down to the minimum
numbering only 1872, an increase of q over
last week, but two less than in this week
a year ago, aud comparing with 2i5 in this
week OF. 1898, pa in 1887 and 254 in 1896.
Canadian failures for the week number
is, as compared with 10 last week, q in
this week a year ago, % in 1898, 81 in 1897
and % in 1896.