The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-13
CROP REPORT LOWEST

I
 New York, March 13.-The past week | has been one of many varied happen 1ngs, all of which were important in their bearing upon the prices of stock
 and on the business of the country. The most important, in it's effect was the victory Of the Standard Oil Com pany in it's rebate case. The Federal Court decision shows that big corpo- l rations cannot be punished except on evidence that would result in a con viction of a small one. It also has the effect of showing the big offend CTS that with a properly prepared case and proper evidence, the big corpora tion would be punished just as the smaller offender would be. The ac- quittal makes the business men at the head of corporations breathe freely.
 During the week the Copper Produc- erS' Association issued it's figures showing that there was less accumula- tion of surplus than had been expect ed, and at the same time the produc- tion had been decreased. These fig ureS were compiled before the LOG, ,OOO- 600 pounds of copper had been sold, which was spoken of in this column last week. so that from the supply on hand this amount should be deducted, which makes conditions better and the deprassion, felt more cheerful. On this report the copper stocks advanced two points.
 Sterling exchange advanced to point where it was profitable for gold to be shipped, and the big banks en- gagged s1,42O,OO0-an the gold bars in the Assay Office. Later there was an advance that made it profitable to ship Eagles, and the banks engaged s1, 900, 900 in coins for shipment to Eng land. Under ordinary circumstances this would have caused anxiety, but it attracted little attention here as money is easy and so abundant in Wall Street that uses cannot be found fo rit. Money is also cheap in Lon don, but the old age requirements and other government requirements, make it necessary to draw some gold from this country. The bankers here find that it is cheap to pay their foreign obligations with gold than with eX- change.
 The last week in February shows a big decline in the earnings of rail- roads. The decrease in twenty-five railroads since July 1st last amounts to S6, 642 700. The decrease in the fourth mentioned amounted to seven per cent. gross. This has been due to the tariff agitation which has caused a general curtailment in business. Now that some idea has been gained from Washington of what is to be done, it is believed that orders will be placed based upon tariff changes. It is un- derstood on excellent authority that iron ore will be placed on the free list and thet pig iron rates will be cut 25 per cent. There will also be sub stantial reduction on steel rails and billetS. The uncertainty over the change in schedule is what hurts. If the business men of the country know the worst they are to expect, then there will be a general improvement, which will be quickly noticeable. It is coming and the second wave will soon start.
 The crop report during the week shows: Wheat in farmers hands az gregating 1SS, ,597. 900 bushels on March 1st-the lowest in seven years. The average surplus of corn in farm re- serves and visible supplies in the sev- en years between 1902 and 1908 inclu, siye was 943, 900, 900 bushels. Compar- ed with farm reserves this year, in cIuding 6.254, ,O0O bushels of visibles, the total of 1,054, ,017 900 bushels of surplus is more than 1000, 900 bushels above