Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1900 — COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

New York—Trade reports as a ruh continue to tell of hesitation in most of the principal lines of business. Bank clearings are usually regarded as a pretty correct index to the general business situation, particularly in times like the present, when speculation in stocks cuta very little figure in the totals. The axchanges made through the Chicago banka in October were not only the largest shown for any month so far this year, but with a single exception were the beat on record. The tbtal was $607,631,087, which was only about $7,000,000 below the record mark, made in December, 1889. Considering the fact that Decernl- - Is usually the best business month in the year and that the month just closed *wasjojne in which politics all over the country was at fever heat, this showing Is considered a good one. Chicago—Speculative business in grain Sh 4 bog products has been fairly active with prices variable, but generally upward. The advance in wheat was due partly to diminishing domestic receipts, but in larger degree to the news front Argentina of an unfavorable outlook for the growing crop. Had the alleged cause of the damage been other than excessive rain it would doubtless have had more influence with the trade. As none of the reports specified in what way the plant was being injured by rain at a period of its growth when on light soil rain might be considered more of a benefit than a detriment, the entire claim of damage that subsequent favorable weather might not repair was received with skepticism, hence the comparatively minor effect on prices. People In the trade here doubtless will apply their home experience to what is good or bad for the wheat plant of Argentina until they see cause to believe that the conditions of its growth differ from those that govern it In all the other countrieswhere It Is produced. The October pork deal was carried to a successful conclusion, the price of that commodity the last day of the month being S2O a barrel, or $5 higher than Its nominal value at the end of last week.