New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-31

~euefal improvement IN tue inherent Dtahches vi
sr.de this Fan. The large crops, increased
foreisn trade, the settlement OF public lands,
.od a general belief that the period of
senre.sion is nearly ended, are given as reasons
for hopefulness very large trade. however, is
not anticipated City hotels are filed with guests.
,,anv Of whom are Western and Southern buyers.
PROSPECTS OF A GOOD FALL TRADE.
.,rpcrsNros FEELING CONFIDENCE-THEIR REASONS
TALKS WIN MEMBERS or PROMINENT FIRMS.
Merchants do not anticipate, as a general
,e very large trade this FALL bat most OF them re-
orr an Improvement over any former since
1873 and look forward 10 healthy revival in all de-
ortmeus Of trade Ia the future. This confidence
a not eondned amy particular trade place, but ex
tends 20 all parts Of the country merchants stating that
their Increase OF sales Is general Some Of the more
conservative dealers that they may be disappointed
AZ they have former but the expressed
opnions Of most merchants show reasons for greater
confidence than heretofore.
Heading dealers say that the bountiful wheat CROP
bringing cheeper food and a large surplus for
mort canno, fa to have beneficial influence on trade
Good authority estimates total yield OF 100000
hushels IN excess Of 1877, which OF the best
wears on record The remarkable increase in foreign trade
4 given az another good indication, showing that the
large amount OF surplus products hand is finding
s way to the markets Of the world This statement is
authenticated by the fact that the balance Of trade TO the
credit OF this country during the last uscal year was
OOO as eontrased with adverse balance of
900 in 1875 The increased sale Of public lands
IN the West Is given as another important ground for
bopeuness Statistics show that these sales have been
two thirds greater than in 1877 and 1t is stated that
most OF the transfers TO men Of limited
means who had been thrown out Of employ
ment 10 the East and have bought and settled
with a Wow OF making themselves homes. With
the appearance of individual prOprietOrs seeking
homes come railways, markets, schools ana manufae
tories all OF which create demand for goods Another
reason is the general feeling that bottom has been
reached and that movement in the direction Of higher
prices has already begun. Stocks in consumers hands
are small The zeal manifested in past months to take
advantage OF provisions Of the expiring Bankrupt
law which ceases to be operative the st OF septem-
ber longer apparent and the present indications
are that very few more applications viii be made for
this a merchant states, "rather dubious mercantile
RELIEF Merchants regard their losses from this quarter
ss about over, aud say the three years of abundant
haryests enabled farmers TO pay up their debts
and viii supply their families with staple mer-
ehaudise which long, through enforced economy has
been denied them.
reporter Of THE TRIBUNE has visited large number
Of the leading merchants in all branches of trade, TO OBJ
tain their views the business situation, and the
opinions Of a number OF these are gwen.
DRY GOODS.
member Of the firm Of II. B. Clahn & Co. said that
business was better tins than last and, though
trade they regarded the outlook favorable. There
was small decline prices compared with last
The increase OF trade general and losses by failure
very small
A gentleman connected with A. 7. Stewart Co
thought the prospect good for the Fall business though
the yellow lever would have bad effect on the South
ern trade There improvement over former sea-
sons already Prices had evidently reached bottom
when good cacoes could be purchased at retail for four
and six cents yard.
member Of a large importing house gave his opinion
Of the trade prospects follows: " The general out
look consider very favorable The hotels at this
OF the year rarely hrOnged as they are at pres
ent aud there few wholesale establishments that
have their quota Of representative merchants from
remote parts country. The liberal shipments Of
Autumn goods 20 all important distributing points show
they pleasure The Texas steamers are
going out with much assorted merchandise as they
can carry. The financial situation is improved over last
year and resumption is assured by January next The
effect the railroad strikes last season and the unset
tied situation Of finances did much TO retard trade
which win make the improvement all the noticea
BILE this season The yellow fever will make the South
ern trade later but will II, think, reduce its volume
The increased felgbt TO the Pacific Coast have bad
effect On trade from that section Tho demand for dry
goods better and the prices rmer owing to imported
stocks being lighter and better prices ruling abroad
GROCERIES,.
H.. K. Thurber, of Fl. K IF. b. TbHrber Co.. said he
felt very much eated the business prospect Their
trade was better than at any time since 1872 and the
uture prospects were very encouraging. There was
general average decline IN prices OF groceries this season
OF II per cent and though declining MARKET business
was transacted so carefully profits greater than
when the market was steader. Their losses from fail
the past year mere bagatee and he did not
think there any for careful business men TO
fail The disturbing element in potues-he Nationals
aud sOeaistshe thought might have bad effect on iu
were good cotton and rice crops in the South Witch
added good crops in the West made the situation
4. r. IsEgett 81 F. H Leggett Co, said: al think
the prospects Of the grocery trade much better at pres
The sales much larger, and more money Is being
Volume Of trade more ihan makes up Tor IT, T6e increase
Of trade general and not confined 70 any place thiuk
the grocery trade Is sOld basis now, and look Tor
very few additional failures"
BOOTS AND SHOES.
The treasurer OF the Bay State Shoe and Leather Com
pauy sad Our trade s little better In volume and
more constant than for the last few good ind
eaton while cheap goods desired. the demand
for better quality than formerly Orders from the
South beng held account Of the yellow fever
which viii probably make the trade from that section
last and while business is somewhat improved, the pros
pecls not brilliant great deal Of eetmate com,
petition win be done away WITH owing to the repeal OF
Mr. Dix, Of Nathaniel Fisher & Co., said: The pros
poets are little brighter this year than last Inc Vol
OF trade larger though there Is an average reduc
ton from to 72 per cent in prices Cheap grades OF
goods largely ordered which not good indlea-
The head salesman Of John E. Jacobs thought that the
Pnces much lower, and there was very little any
improvement over last ear It was little earlyyet Tor
toe Fan trade but he regarded the prospects rs not very
bright
shoe Company said that trade about the same
a. last year. The prospects were not much DETER
were lower.
G Burt reported bis trade III fine shoes very good
and the outlook bright one. THIS showed that there
was an Improvement in the public purse and that good
euah faNnr tile iaef1 n