The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-08-15
A REVIEW Of TRADE.
Leading Commercial Agencies Tell
of Conditions.

New York, Aug. 1O.-Bradstreet's says
despite some irreguIarity, due to the re-
currence of corn damage reports from the
eastern surplus-produCing states and the
formal launching of the much heralded
general steel workers strike, the aggre-
gate business the country over seems TO be
of a good, and in most sections unprece-
dented, volume for this season of the year.
Changes where noted for the week have
been rather of tone than of actual de-
mand, and It Is in this matter of tone or
sentiment that the favorable developments
have arisen. All available measures of
supply, demand and movement point to the
business done In July having exceeded any
thing transacted in any similar midsum-
mer month. This, too, despite the eXcep-
tionally hot weather, drought, strike talk
and similar conditions unfavorable to
business extension. Cereal prices have
been rather Irregular, but the main tend
ency has been upward, partly because Of
renewed crop damage reports as to corn
"frosts" having already begun to be sight
ed by nervous crop estimators. The main
strength of wheat, however, lies in the
continued heavy export business. The
clearances this week were enormous and
far in excess of any previous week on rec
ord, and the rather smaller volume of re-
ceipts Of winter wheat. Hog products
weakened early in the week in sympathy
Win the COIH maj hGLs u SLGauLSh oAS
without, however, regaining the early
loss. The worlds statistical position of
lard is a very strong one. New features
are scarce in the iron and steel trade. The
strike is still the great central feature,
around which revolve high premium prices
for plates, bars and sheets and timed
plates. Black sheets will be imported and
time here. Structural material, not af-
fected as yet by the strike, is In very heavy
demand, and producers are being hard
pressed to meet orders"
From the Dun Agency.
r. G.. Dun & Co., IN their Weekly Review
of Trade, say: There IS no complaint from
any part of the country over the volume OF
current distribution of merchandise, and
what hesitation Is observed in geral trade
is chiefly due to the uncertainty as to the
duration of the labor troubles in the steel
manufacture. Collections continue good
better weather mas helped the agricul-
tural classes; money is easy and stocks OF
merchandise carried are not above the
average for this season of year, particular
Iy in the west and southwest. Relief Is
felt in all departments Of the iron and steel
industry now that uncertainty Is ended and
the position of the contestants made
clear. Now the Issue must be determined
permanently, and a settled condition will
greatly facilitate operations. Structural,
wire and plate mills are not affected, and
the production OF rails Will not be material
ly curtailed.
Having no further ammunition In heat
and drought reports for hosting prices,
spectators have turned suddenly to the
other extreme and demonstrate that early
lrosts threaten all late planted corn. The
result has been a spot quotation at this
city of more than 60 cents all the week and
the practical elimination Of exporters from
domestic marke A healthy demand
from domestic mlllers and phenomenal
Atlantic exports give strength to prices of
wheat. AS the season advances it be-
comes more apparent that foreign crop
losses will necessitate unprecedented ship
ments from the United States, and with the
settlement of the strike on the Pacific
coast there will be a movement Of great
magnitude.
Failures for the week were 173>i in the
United States against III last year, and 81
In Canada, against % last year"