Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-27
S. Open High. Low. Close.
DUN'S REVIEW OF TRADE.


NEW YORK, April Or. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review of Trade ao-mor-
row will say:
Business continues very brisk for the
season in the face of some drawbacks,
which at times might cause marked
hesitation. Chief of these is the floods
in many directions. which have inter
fered with railroad operations and in
terrupted the distribution of merchan-
disc, and the weather all over the east
has been adverse to an increase of re-
tail trade. Bank clearings, however,
show that while speculation has been
heavy there must have been a we'll sus-
taineu volume of legitimate business
for the gains are AL per cent over 1900
and 1873 over 1899, outside of New York,
and 1880 per cent over 1900 and $40
over 1899 at this city. Railroad earn
ings make similarly encouraging gains.
Reports from the interior show special
strength in conditions Trough Missouri,
Kansas and Ohio, and the future is full
of promise, unless there is misfortune
with the crops.
Much unfavorable comment has ap-
peared regarding the ADVANCE in steel
rails to $2S. Yet the change is only in
keeping with recent increase in prices
of pig iron and billets. Nominal quo
tations for many products of iron and
steel have long been disregarded in
contracts calling for early delivery, and
list prices are generally moving up to
representative level. On new business
- 10
to make prices for rails on parity with
other products of this industry. Aside
from this one operation there is no new
development. Pig iron is more quiet,
with little taken for delivery beyond
July LIST. Domestic business in princl-
pal lines of manufactured steel is SO
active as to discourage foreign buying
but machinery and speciality mills are
exporting RELY. 1t is reported from
PlCtsburg thai mills are not crowded by
demand to the extent noticed in 1899,
but productive capacity has largely eX-
banded.
After a prolonged period of waiting
for definite crop news the cereal mar
kets suddenly awoke to unusual activ-
ity. Much of the increased trading and
sharp advance in prices resulted from
clever manipulation by a single western
speculator who compelled the short con-
tingent to cover May corn contracts at
the highest prices of the season. Wnile
there was an element of strength in the
reports of late planting, slow move
ment of the old crop held greater in
fiuence as stocks available for deliv-
cry were light. Wheat has risen sharp
ly, partly in sympathy with corn, but
there was bad news regarding the Ger
man crop and some damage occurred at
the west.
Wool is fairly steady and this is the
best that can be said. Eastern mar
kets are quiet with light demand from
the mills. There is less disposition to
secure raw material in advance of
needs, although much faith is express
ed regarding the stability of prices. Re-
ports from many correspondents in the
chief sneep raising States indicate that
larger clip than last year may be ex-
pected and the condition is satisfactory.
Growers are slow to make contracts at
the present level OF prices, but the large
percentage of the old crop carried over
and heavy stocks at the east give little
encouragement 20 hope for higher prices
until demand for manufactured goods
show material improvement
Cotton responds slowly to indica-
lions of damage on plantations, for the
old crop comes into sight freely and
heavy losses in British exports of goods
and yarns do not promise a vigorous
foreign demand for raw material
Another decrease is reported in ship
ments of boots and shoes from New
England shops, although there is still
a heavier movement than in the same
week last year. Factories are less be-
hind with orders and buyers are inclin-
ed to defer new contracts in the hope OF
securing concessions. AS yet, however.
quotations are unchanged. Much city
spring trade has been lost through in
clement weather and local jobbers no
longer expect an average seasons bus
mess. The sale influence has enabled
retailers to reduce supplies OF rubber
footwear carried over from last fall.
Leather is barely steady at last weeks
decline and stocks of light grades are
accommodating.
Failures for the week numbered 215
in the United States against 204 last
wear and 26 in Canada a1rtpct % 1.e<