Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-15
TRADE AFFECTED
To a Great Extent by the PreVa-
lenCe of Strikes
Interfering With Movements OF
Merchandise.
What is Doing in Various Circles
Failures Decreasing.

New YORK, March Especial tele-
grams to Bradstreet's from the more I'M
portant business centers report the move
ment Of general merchandise rather below
than above previous totals A st. Louis
and southwest thereof business is at
standstill owing to the continued inter
ruption to traffic over the five Gould South
western railways and the Texas Pacific
line. The number Of strikes throughout
the country has increased beyond all pre-
cedent, and the total number Of employees
so idle is reported to Bradstreets as
amounting to about $1,000 east Of the
Rocky Mountains. In Deceu Der, 1881,
the total covering a ike territory was
about Is, 900. Both the bitumiuous coal
and textile strikes outrank the Southwest
ern railway strike in point of numbers.
The object of large maj ority o the strikes
is for an advance OF wages.
Contrssted with the stsgnation in trade
circles at St. Louis, Chicago reports a
good business in almost all staple lines,
80 per cent. more than last year at like
period IN dry goods alone. But this report
is quite exceptional. At leading Eastern
cities business has been OF moderate pro
portions only, though q feeling Of conn
dence that an improvement will be felt IN
the near future is frequently mentioned.
Increased caution is noted on the part OF
textile millowners, who have in some cases
refused to make contracts for future de,
iveries, except on provision that industrial
disturbances preventing deliveries shall
leave them without liability. AT other cit,
lea general trade is lees active than had
been expected at this time, while at the
Northwest, particularly, the more fsvora'
ole reports are made Of the movement
and outlook.
DRY GOODS
are in a little better request at the Last
and print cloths are higher at 3-l6c per
yard, plus per cent, a gain. Stocks Of
cotton in first hands are light. Wool Is
quiet. There are no new features IN the
iron market. Anthracite coal is selling
very low, and buyers act slowly. There
are no signs of new coal pool yet. Petro
leum ia heavier and tends lower on new
we'll production news. The movement Of
grocery staples is lighter than year ago.
| Decreased demand and weak cables de
press sugar. Coffee is higher on smaller
crop estimates and frmer markets at ship
ping ports. Large available supplies o.
rice depress prices thereof; When
has been irregular, bat somewhat hrmlJ
held BY the speculative interest, and Is q
higher for cash on the week. The Govern
ment report of light supplies in first hands
if well founded, is the strongest bull argu
meut vet advanced. Flour is frmer anC
higher, with wheat.
There were Oil business failures report
ed TO Brsdstreers this week, against Y
last week and go IN the second week IL
March, 1885, lS6 in 1884. 233 IN l8S3,sn'
III in 1882. Canada had % this week
against IS last and Sc in the like week o
ll8s5. The total number Of failures in tn
United States in 1886 to March IL, l
2,73s, against 3, 227 in 10 weeks OF 1885,
decline, this year of 48S, or On average o
nearly 40 weekly since January l.