Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1900-11-03
TRADE REPORT.


dast week is as follows:
Despite some irregularity growing
out of the unreasonable weather con-
ditions, heavy price changes in leading
staples or increased conservatism in
some traders as the election approach
es, the general business situation as
whole is encouraging and new elements
or manifestations of strength appear
from time to time. Perhaps the most
notable feature of the week is found
in the industrial situation, which has
been distinctly improved by the appar-
antly final action taken toward ending
the anthricite coal strike In view of
the fact that most miners have ATTAIN
ed increased wages the effect on bust
ness in the producing regions can hard
ly be otherwise than beneficial, while
the trade at large must reap the bene-
fits by the return to normal conditions.
Other lines OF trade which showed i'm
prOvements are those of shoes, leather
and kindred products at the east, which
are reaping the benefit of better distri-
button in the country at large, and
rather more than an average business
has been done in wool in the east, with
holders more inclined to demand full
prices for their products. The contin-
ued weakness of cotton is an element
of uncertainty in the goods trade. but
the firmness of these products in the
face of the l ~ decline in price, is a
tribute to the strength of the market
The situation in cereals shows little
change. A feature of the movement
of products to market at the present
time not heretofore noted this year is
the growing scarcity of cars reported
west of the Mississippi. Sugar is low
er than anticipated, and coffee is off on
continued large receipts.
The strength of demand for finished
products of iron and steel noted for
some time past finds reflection in an i'm
proved inquiry for the cruder forms of
leading centers this week. Steel bill
lets are reported 81 higher at Chicago
while a similar advance is noted at
Pittsburg, and efforts to raise the level
of bessemer steel billets are being de-
bated. The claim that stocks are be-
ing readily reduced is borne out by re-
ports of several 1000-ton lots being
moved at Pittsburg and further west
and intimations that a still larger bus
mess has been arranged for on condit-
ional basis dependent upon election re-
suits. While southern pig is unchang-
ed at the south, a sharp cut in the same
is noted at western markets. The low
ering of coal prices as the result of the
end of the strike is expected to help
the export trade in coal, which is. how
ever, confronted with high freight
rates. In spite of this it is claimed
that 100000 tons of bituminous coal
have been sold for export to Mediter-
ranean ports.
Wheat (including fiour) shipments
for the weak aggregate 4,932,978 bush
els, against 3,196,643 last week, 4,416,-
495 in the corresponding week of 1899
and 5,560,991 in 1898
From July to date this season wheat
exports are 60,244,143 bushels against
65,381 ,542 last season and 62,7S9,1O7 in
189S-1S99
Business failures in the United States
for the week number 181, as against
223 last week, 211 in this week year
ago, 219 in 1898, and 21S in 1897 and
GAG in 1896.
Canadian failures for the week num-
Der 81, against % last week, 81 in this
week year ago and % in 1898.
Wheat,
Portland-Walla Walla, So and 53c;
bluestem, sec. There is no demand for
valley for export and inferior mills are
paying as high as 62 and 63c
Tacoma-Dull and nominally un.
changed. Bluestem, 55c; club, SIC.