Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-09-27
DOES IT MEAN A DULL WINTER
Reports to Bradstreets' Lead to the Query,
Growing Out OF q FAN Squirt.

Reports to Bradstreets' Lead to the Query,
Growing Out OF q Fan Squirt.
New York, September 26.-The move
ment Of general merchandise throughout
the country during the past week, as re-
ported in special kilograms to Bradstreets
has been equal to the volume Of preceding
weeks, though distributed somewhat differ
emily. At various trade centers West and
Southwest, where the activity reported has
not been proportionste to that recorded ct
Eastern points Of distribution, there has
been larger inquiry and heavier weeks
business; but various cities in the East the
movement Of goods to interior is small. II.
lustratiDg this, it may be specified that at
Boston the sales of dry goods have fallen of
somewhat from the late heavy volume, and
that the existing demand there is less than
had been expected.
The situation is, therefore, considered one
for critical examination, and the succeedinC
few weeks will be closely observed to deter
mine whether the result, as has been al
legged, is to be dull trade during the wiz
ter succeeding an autumn squirt only. The
Eastern dry goods trade in general is, there
fore, characterized as quiet. Wool contin-
ues in fair demand from manufacturers in
excess Of immediate demands, as well as
from spectators. This makes prices firm
and holders stiff in their views. The mar
ket is called strong and active. The pro-
duce and grocery markets are described as
fair, but not active. In staples there has
been retrogrsde movement, the distribu.
ton of coffee and sugar being behind that
for the like period last year. Teas are COM
pIetely demorslized. Butter is depressed,
and cheese steady, with limited export de-
msnd.
The new, as we'll as favorable, features
are that at Chicago there is an improved
distribution Of general merchandise, and
that the request for funds from the interior
is heavier, Business is better at San Fran
cisco and at Cincinnati. Reports from
various leading lines Of trade show that
business iq 25 per cent better than it was in
the like period of 1884. The margin Of
oft, however, is not improved.
Wheat has been advanced on speculative
demand and unauestioned manipulation.
Most of the 3c.per Dushel increase in price
has been retained. There is however, no
gain in the foreign demand. Indian corn
bss been slightly stimulated by the advance
in wheat, and wheat -four has bsen
strengthened by the same cause very mate,
rally. Farmers in the Northwest persist
in holding back wheat, and prices at
Minneapolis have advanced 2 cents per
bushel in consequence. With this result,
after few weeks restriction of supplies
only, it is questionable whether the holders
of spring wheat will not hold on to their
grain for an advance to 81 per bushel
Hog products have been dull and lower, and
petroleum certificates are inactive. The
foreign demand for refined oil is better,
which stimulates buying some. Ocean
freights generally are heavy and low, and
the movement of exportable products is no
better.
There were l4O failures in the United
States last week, as compared with l4S the
preceding week, and with 20l, l64 and l73
respectively in the corresponding weeks OF
1884, 1888, and 1882. About S3 per cent.
were those of email traders, whose capital
was less than $4,000 Canada had 20, an
of0