The age-herald., 1902-02-01

Distant deliveries are undertaken by do- nestle producers, but, where immediate shipment Is required, 1t Is often im- possible to prevent foreign makers se- curing the business. Last years official statement showed a considerable loss In exports of some finished products of iron and steel, and this was doubtless due to the same pressure by home consum- CTS that is now bringing a movement into the country. not in competition with producers here. but because early deliv- cries cannot be madc
 Bessemer Ore at Old Rates.
 As anticipated the ore companies fix ed Bessemer at the old rate of S4.25. The remarkable report of the steel corpora tion gives some Idea of the volume of business transacted last year, while contracts already placed practically as- sure still greater activity for 1902 All lines have a share in the vigorous de- mand with railway and structural sup- plies leading and preparation for spring work has removed the dullness from pipe and tube departm ents. Minor metals finally reached a point where consumers was attracted. Recovery was general in footwear shops throughout New Eng land with slight advance. Wholesale buyers are in the Boston market but show an inclination to delay placing con- tracts at the present advanced prices Hides have declined still further.
 Textile mills are well occupied and the lack of accumulations in first hands gives strong tone to the market though there is much evidence of conservatism. among buyers. While the size of the cot ton crop remains uncertain 1t must exert a quieting influence on goods Fewer lines of new woolens have been opened N1.f.. .sa.H Is sustained by brisk competition and firm prices at the London wool sale.
 After carrying the decline to an extreme point especially for coarse grades, there was a sharp recovery. As usual during n period of gradually falling quotat ations, the market became heavily oversold. so that, once the turning point appeared there was the added impetus of an anx- iousness by the short contingent. Even at the lowest point of the week wheat was 5c and corn 1Sc higher than at the corresponding date last year. Foreign buying of wheat was not perceptibly stimulated by the lower prices, but there continued a steady outgo, aggregating 3,245, ,75S bushels.
 Consumption Prevents Big Yield.
 Consumption of wheat as fodder or holding back for higher prices prevents the big yield from swelling receipts. which for the week were 2,S4O,S1O bushels against 2.775,975 last year. The reduced yield of corn is reflected in interior arrivals of only 2,379, 365 bushels, as compared with 4,90S, ,962 a year ago. while the high price is responsible for Atlantic exports of 331 .Ss0 bushels, against 2,41S,013 last year.
 Conflicting statements hold the cotton market in suspense. but there is no un- certainty as to the unparalleled yield of coffee, which put the price within a frac- ton of the lowest point on record
 Liabilities of commercial failures dur ing the four weeks of January aggregate SIP 9O2. .O07. of which s5, 6S3, 392 were in man ufacturing $6, ,S47 in trading and $7S2,- G31 in other strictly commercial lines. Aside from a few exceptionally heavy de- faults the showing is very good as to manufacturing Large decreases appear in liabilities as compared with last year 8 failures in iron. machinery, cotton, lum- Der and chemicals.