The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-21
MORE IRREGULARlTY IN TRADE.
IRON AND STEEL STILL SHOW A
DOWNWARD TENDENCY.

coura=ing Feature-Bad weather
Did Not Produce Any Bull Move
ment in CottOn-Cereals and other
Agricultural Products Have Had
Good Market-Grafn Exports show
an Incrense-Failures In business.
New York, April 2O.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
More rather than less, irregularity in
the trade and price situation is to be noted
this week, partly the result of weather
conditions, but partly, as in the case of
the iron and steel trade, because of the
continuance of those missionary efforts in
the direction of lower prices. which have
been such a feature of the iron and steel
trade of late.
That the basic conditions of trade re-
main on the whole favorable is. however,
evidenced by a number of features. Rail-
road earnings continue heavy and the de-
crease noted in, bank clearings is charge
able largely to religious and other holiday
observances and to restricted stock specu-
lation.
heavy rams anu CoOl weather ~ III
the week had a depressing effect on trade
and collections, but with the advent of
warm spring temperature, improved con-
dltions of retail demand, which is at pres
ent most important element in the gen
eral trade situation, have been noted.
The bear campaign in iron and steel
took on a new phase this week. when a
number of wire mills were shut down, as
alleged because of an oVer-supply of
these goods. The announcement has had
an unsettling effect upon general demand,
as was probably expected, and new do
nestle business is interfered with. The
strength of the export demand previously
noted in these columns, however, is still
a feature, and We have the best of rea-
sons for believing that a very large guam
tty of Southern iron, variously estimated
at 1000 to 10000 tons, was sold this week
to go abroad at nearly or about full prices.
Price changes are mostly along lines
heretofore noted, though some sympa-
thetic weakening of pig iron is reported.
Wire prices apparently are unchanged.
Steel billets are weak at the decline re-
ported Lass week and bar steel and plates
are likewise lower.
The other metals have shown a reaction
airy tone this week and anthracite coal
remains seasonably weak, but talk of inn
pending labor troubles has hardened BIZ
luminous coal at most markets.
Good Cereal Markets.
1t has been been weather market for
the cereals and most agricultural prod
ucts. these advancing early this week, but
weakening toward the close.
The strength of pork products and the
small movement has stimulated corn, and
there is less weakness in this than in the
other cereals.
Stormy weather and flooded water
courses at the South have checked or re-
tarded cotton planting, but this feature
Reta tool CIV OF n ma
ket have not been sufficient to produce
any outside bull movement while the
quietness in dry goods and the weakness
noted in cotton yarns have been addi-
tionally dscouraging features. Wool is
weak but there is rather more inquiry,
and now, as one year ago. relatively high
er prices rule at points of production.
Backward weather conditions have af-
fected the lumber trade demand, but in
this as in a number of other lines the
advanced prices demanded are credited
with checking business. The pressure of
heavy supplies is responsible for the
slight weakening shown in the price of
raw sugar this week, while the refined
market remains unchanged
Weather influences are again reflected
in the market for dairy products, which
has weakened under large receipts.
Exports of Grain.
Wheat, including flour, shipments for
against 1856 635 bushels last week, 1892
959 bushels in the corresponding week in
1889; 1922 1O6 in 1898; LISA 668 bushels m
1897, and !, 2S6 400 in 1896. Since July l. this
season, the exports of wheat aggregate
157, SAT bushels, against 1893 ,262,1 19 BUSH
els last year, and 91,5O3,6S6 bushels III
1878.
Corn exports for the week aggregate g.
15S, TAT bushels against 2,799, 444 bushels last
week, 3091 $40 bushels in this week year
ago. 1858. 482 bushels In 1898; 4,769 915 in
1897, and 9S1 2O6 in 1896.
Since July /. this season, corn exports
aggregate 166OS1. 1886 bushels, against 49,
O47 ,744 bushels during the same period a
year ago,-and 147, 1926 bushels I'm 1s97-9s.
Business failures in the United States
for the week number 161 as compared
with 152 last week. 1877 in this week a year
ago. 224 in 1898; PIG in 1897, and 240 in 1896.
Failures in the Dominion of Canada for
the week number 10, as compared with IS
last week 80 in this week year ago; Il
in 1898; % in 1897, and 81 in 1896.
Miss Elizabeth G.. Jordan, the new