The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-24
TRADE OUTLOOK IS GOOD
BRADSTREET'S SUMMING UP OF
BUSINESS CONDITIONS FOR
THE WEEK
SOME OF THE FEATURES
Northwestern, Western and South
ern Markets Make the Better
Showing - Staple Values
show Little Change.

NEW YORK, March 25-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say:
Some few Irregularities are visible in
the general trade and industrial situation,
the result of the workings OF counter
currents In variouss4ines. but, taken as a
whole, the general outlook retains most
OF the encouraging features noted for
some time past in these columns. Favora-
Die reports as to retail distribution, and
as to collections from Southern, West
ern and Northwestern markets due to
better weather. Continued good railroad
returns, record breaking merchandise ex-
ports from New York, with signs, Of
redemption of heavy shipments of iron
TO Europe; and good wheat and fruit
crop reports, except from the Central
t West are also features
AN unfavorable element is the predic-
ton of general strike of machinists,
but it is possible that more than it's prop
er weight has been given this threat
ened trouble. AS an offset to this threat
ened trouble might be cited the settle
mentS OF differences. among the lake ore
handlers, vital point IN the immense
business looked for the coming spring
and summer.
Staple values generally note little
change. Flour Is in active export de-
mand and tirmer on the week. as are
also hog products on smaller receipts and
a reported squeeze of shorts. Sugar is
higher, mainly owing to the growing
strength of raw material
Wheat and corn, among the bread
stuffs, have been weaker, rejecting an
other one of those short swings in prices
which have been such feature of the
former market but also expected heavy
shipments from the Argentine and good
crop reports from the South and West.
1n the Central West wheat crop advices
are disappointing, complaint of winter
killing more than offsetting increased
acreage. The extent of the late advance
In cotton discourages bullish activity,
but short supplies abroad and small
crop movement at home furnish little
encouragement to the bears, and the nr<r-
ket for that staple is about at stand
still as regards price movement.
"Advces so far received would point
to the retail trade opening well, particu-
larly in the South the Northwest and the
Central West, except at the lake cities,
where the lateness of the season or unfa-
VorGble weather conditions have operated
as deterrent.
"Wool remains one of the soft spots in
the market, and though little more bust
ness has been done this week than last,
concessions are easier to obtain and
prices are quotably lower. Leather, on
the other hand, returns a better report
than for some time past. Quotations of
hemlock are higher and business has
been larger at several markets The boot
and shoe industry notes some improve
ment in demand and prices, but hides
remain rather dull.
Wheat, including -four, shipments for
the week aggregate 2,253, 495 bushels,
against 2,727, $50 bushels last week; 3,746,
761 bushels in the corresponding week OF
1899; 3S96,31S bushels In 1885, Las, 419 bush
els in 1897, and 1,744,S37 bushels In 1896.
Since July /, this season. the exports
of wheat aggregate 144,210331 bushels,
against 1892, 500 bushels last year, and
1765l6,9SS bushels in 1S97-1S98 Corn ex-
ports for the week aggregate 3,123,S 48
bushels, against 9,729.291 bushels last week;
1888, 629 bushels in this week year ago;
,496,257 bushels in 1895; 5S62,637 bushels in
1897, and 1,727, 965 bushels in 1896. Since
July l, this season, corn exports aggre-
gate 152,56 ,9T7 bushels, against 125, 1853 5S2
bushels during the same period year
ago, and 131, 033, 926 bushels in 1S97-1S98
Business failures In the United States
for the week number 1872, as compared
! with 100 last week 1872 in this week a
year ago, 215 in 1898, 22l in 1897, and 276 in
1896. Business failures in the dominion
number %, as compared with % last week,
30 in this week year ago, 20 in 1898, 40
In 1897, and A in 1885,