The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-03-11

In the east RIG. Dun & Co. report tbs t
actual business is satisfactory for tbs
season. Prospects are confused and
uncertain-in some directions promis-
ing. but in other branches of large i'm
portance decidedly clouded. The
massage by the House of the Dill author
izing bond purchases was designed TO
remove the monetary uncertainty, an
influence which affects all trade and
industry, Whether the Senate will pass
the bill in its present form is not yet
certain, and Secretary Fairchild's report
makes it questionable whether the
measure, if passed, would prove
an adequate reliance for pre-
Vention of Treasury ABSORB
tion of money. But many think
il win give full relief, and that impress
sion gave hopefulness to the stock
market for one day. Lower prices
jmmediately followed, however, and
the average decline for the week has
been about$1 per share.
The Western railroad wars and
strikes continue to disturb business.
Because of cuts by Canadian lines, the
eastern trunk roads announce reduc-
tion of 10 per cent on east and west
hound rates March 9Th, and efforts 10
settle the western war were defeated on
Thursday by the St. Paul. Only
partial revival of traffic on the Bar
iington & Quincy has been attained; at
prevailing rates business is not SO pro
fitable that the c0mpany Is impatient.
While earnings OF railroads continue TO
show that large quantity OF freight
for the season is in motion, the rates
are dropping, and expenses on many
lines increasing; the pennsylvania
advances wages on western lines III per
cent.
An important cause of uncertainty in
many branches of trade Is the move
ment to change the tariff. Whether
Droposed changes are deemed desirable
or not, those who think them probable
are for that reason moved to defer
-business operations. The bill submitted
ON Thursday would affect so many
industries and branches trade that
individual opionions, favorable or IN
favorable to i.,smust considerably ln-
}lnence transactions while it remains
pending. It comes at time when, for
other reasons, there is hesitation in
most of the branches chiefly, concerned,
and increase that hesitation.
1t is characteristic OF many trades
at present, that purchases and opers-
tions are, for one reason or another,
limited to present necessities. In the
boot and shoe trade, which is otherwise
exceptionally satisfactory. there are
some such indications as to women's
and chiIdren's goods; in the cottons the
recent signs of hating may be attributed
to unusually large dealings il the past;
in The sugar and numerous other trades
che operations of trusts or combinations
cause uncertainty. The coal business,
aimee strikes began to collapse, has been
marked by only hsnd-to-mouth deal
ing in doubt as to the future output
The nricss of wool are steady, with Ohio
Xxx st 81 and buyers have been oper
ating with some freedom, but any a6-
vance has been resisted, and the effects
of the proposal to change duties are not
vet seen. A large failure in the lumber
and salt interests in Michigan, follow
ing the remarkable shrinkage in de
n1snd for iron ore, indicates that the
nrosnect in that region is not wholly
I5ncIeuded. Elsewhere the iron trade
- hesitating, with somewhat lower