The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-20
-BRaDsrREErs REPORT

New York. February l6.-Brad
streets tomorrow Will say: Satisfac-
tory advices as to expanding spring
rad in dry goods and kindred ines
comes from a number of markets. That
the aggregate business OF the country
is OF good volume otherwise is. howev-
er, indicated by detailed reports Of in
creases in trade as compared with last
year, confirmed by satisfactory rail-
road earnings reports, by fair gains in
bank clearings and by reports OF bet
ter demand for money in commercial
a year ago. IL may be re-
called, extremely stormy weather was
experienced. and some effects, notably
those on winter-sown crops, were very
~unfavorable. This year opposite condi-
lions have ruled, and, though some
talk of lack OF crow - tie E-o;n-grow-
ing regions is heard, no widespread
damage from cold weather Is yet noted.
In fact un~seasonably mild weather has
had an appreciate effect upon several
industries, notably those engaged in
the manufacture of footwear, in dis
couraging sales of the same, actually
causing the shut down of some rubber
manufactures and also in the lumber
and ice business. The scarcity Of snow
in the northwest will unQuestionably
affect the log cut this season and a
firmer tone as to values is already per-
ceivable. Notwithstanding talk of labor
roubles effecting the building trades.
The foreign demand for iron and steel
seems likely to have a most important
effect upon prices of the domestic pro-
duct. 1t is conceded hat any import
ant recession in values o be met
by a heavily enlarged export move
ment. American pig iron prices are
steadily held, the only weakness noted
being manifested at the east Conces-
sions in southern prices are claimed
not to extend beyond n furnace
| Considerable orders for pig iron have
| been placed at full prices and northern
coke iron particularly has moved well
into the Central west. Steel rails are
| we'll held, a fair business being report
ed at the west, but plates are weak in
spite of a heavy business. Spring
| trade prospects in hardware are good,
best reports coming from the west
The strength of raw cotton, spots
| reaching nearly 9 cents at New York
this week, is, Of course, the leading
feature in a speculative a Despite
| heavy realizing, and some irregularity,
| the movement has continued upward.
| h strength Of the raw product is re-
| sponsible for h unquestionably active
| demand for the finished products not
| ed this week at nearly all points.
| Southern mills are reported sold ahead
on brown cottonS, and stocks are
| scarce and the same story of small
\ SlOChS SOlhSo ANcW LhSldld. Sot-
| ton yarns are specially active and some
large New England concerns are seek
| ing to fill their orders through the aid
| of southern supplies.
Wooden goods are meeting with a
| good order business, but raw wool is
\ rather quieter.
Some cutting of the list price for an
| thracite coal is reported, while bitumi-
nous grades are very firm, and leading
| operators talk of a further advance.
Wheat, including lour shipments
for the week aggregate 1884, 069 BUSH
| els, against 2,9O2, 357 bushels last week,
and 2,454, III bushels in the correspond
ing week in 1899. Since July LIST this
season the exports of wheat aggregate
126, SAG, 391 bushels against 159, 052, $50
bushels las year.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
| 3,490, 1856 bushels, against 3,450, 9O9 last
| week, and 1850, S45 bushels in this week
a year ago. Since July 1st this season
/ corn exports aggregate 1876, 097, 100 bush-
| els, against 104, $40, 4O1 bushels during
/ the same period a year ago.
Failures for the week in the United
| States number 119, as compared with
231 last week, 100 in this week a year
ago, 269 in 1898, 1926 in 1897 and 276 in
1896.