The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-01-21
STATE OF TRADE
NOT As PROSPEROUS As MIGHT BE.
r. q. Dun & Co. Say Business Throughout
the Country Il Rather Quiet. Even
for the Ssason-

NEw YORK. January 2O.-R. G. Dui
| & Co.'S review SAYS business Throughout
the country is rather quiet, even for th'
season. A fairly active jobbing trad
is reported at several points where tn,
wholesale business is distinctly dull, anC
| the prevailing feature seems to be an in
| disposition to take quantities in view oi
the unusual uncertainty in many mar
kets, caused by strikes, speculation and
| legislative deliberation.
LESS THAN LAST YEAR.
At Chicago speculation has been dull
and in legitimate trade. though there is
some improvement of late, less is doing
than last year. Hard times in the
drought regions throughout the West af-
feet purchases, but in other sections
there is gain. At st. Louis prompt
payment on past purchases and continu-
ing large distribution are noticed. At
Louisville values are softer, without i'm
provement in volume. At Southern
points trade is quiet and at Philadelphia
a slight improvement in distribution is
observed. Collections are fairly satIs-
factory at nearly all points, and money
generally in fair supply, though rather
close at Denver and Cleveland.
THE STRIKE MORE EFFECTIVE.
The Lehigh and Reading strikes grow
more effective, and are stopping many
manufacturing establishments. Though
4 r.
than for the same week last year, opera
tors and retailers vie with each other in
putting up prices. The poverty of the
miners causes serious apprehension
among traders, who remember that their
losses after the strike of 1873 were three
fourths of their accounts.
THE IRON PRODUCTION.
The Iron Association reports 6,3ls ,14S
tons of pig made last year, n gain of 13
per cent. but unsold stocks increased
s,9l3 tons. 1t is noteworthy that the
Southern production was only per
cent. over that of 1856. But for the ac-
tivity in shop, bridge and car building
the trsde would be less hopeful. The
Thomas Company has sold No. 2 foundry
for pipe at ST., and sales of 10000 tons
of rails are reported, but prices do not
change.
WOOL FAvoRs BUYERS
In wool the little improvement re-
Gently seen has vanished and the market
favors buyers again. Stocks at Boston
were over 5000, 900 pounds larger than
last January, but at New York rather
smaller, while Philadelphia stocks are
refused The demand for wooden goods
is moderate, but more frequent inquiry
gives hope. and the ranges Of prices are,
on the whole. but little below those of
last year.
COTTON STRONG.
Cottons are in strong demand, and
many markets have advanced in price.
BOOT AND SHOE TRADE BETTER.
In the leather trade hopes of improve
ment are still disappointed. but the boot
and shoe trade is better than usual for
the season.
RUBBER GOODS BETTER.
a better demand for rubber goods is
reported, and more prospect that trust
will finally be formed.
SPECULATIVE MARKETS WEAK.
Nearly all of the speculative markets
have been weak. The average price of
stocks is 81. 80 per share lower than a
week ago. Wheat has declined 1ic..
corn lie, and lard a shade. Sugar is
weak and so is coffee, while the great
slump in oil has punished those who had
faith in the power of curtail of produc-
tion to control prices.
LEVEL OF PRICES LOWER.
The general level of prices of all COM
modities is now about 80 cents on the
800 lower than January 1.
MONEY.
While the Treasury by depositing ST.
800 600 more with the banks, has con-
trived to take only 5000, 600 from circu-
lation during the week, 1t is significant
that payments in silver certificates at
the custom house rise to thirteen and
one-third per cent. of the total. Money
is returning to New York banks in large
volume from the interior, and foreign
trade accounts Indicate that the with
drawal of foreign capital in December
probably did not exceed $1,000, 900.
EXPORTS
The exports of the principal products
were only s54 ,000, 900, against SOS, ,0OO,-
900 in 1886, and for the three weeks of
January the New York exports are 50
per cent. below last year.
EXCHANGES.
Exchanges outside of New Xork still
exceed those of last year by about 1 per
cent, but they reflect rather the heavy
business of last fall than current trans
actions.
BUSINESS FAILURES.
Business failures occurring throughout
the country during last week number
for the United States, 2s6; Canada, 80;
total, 3i4: against 2ss last week.