St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-21
BUSINESS IS QUIET.
Throughout the Country Business Is
Reported as Quiet.
SPECULATION VERY DULL.
The Reading Strikes Grow More Effect
i've, and Are Stopping Many
Manufactures.

NEW DIRK, Jan. 20.-R. G. Dun &
Co. weekly review of trade will saw:
business throughout the country is
rather quiet even for the season. Fairly
. active jobbing trade is reported at sew
eral points, when wholesale business
IS distinctly dull and a prevailing feat
. ure seems to be an indisposition to take
quantities, in view Of the unusual I'M
certaintieS in many markets caused by
strikes, by speculation and by legisla-
tive deliberations. AT Chicago specu-
iatlon has been dull, and in legitimate
trade, though there is some improve
ment OF late, less throughout the North
west, affect purchases, but in other see
tons there is gain. At st. LOUIS
prompt payments Oh past purchases are
continuing. Large distributions are no
tlced at Louisville. Values are softer
without Improvement in volume; also
at Southern points trade is quiet and at
Philadelphia slight Improvement in
distribution is observed. Collections
are fairly satisfactory at nearly all
points. and money generally in fair sup
ply, though rather close at Denver and
Cleveland. The Lehigh and Reading
strikes grow more effective and are
stopping many manufacturing establish
mentS. Though actual deliveries of an
thracite are larger than for the same
weeks last year, operators and retailers
VI, We with each other lnputting up prices.
The poverty OF the miners causes
SERIOUS APPREHENSION
among traders. who remember that
their losses after the strike of 1875 were
three-fOurths Of their accounts. The
Iron association reports Gill, 4S1 tons of
pig made last year, gain of 13 per cent,
but unsold stocks Increased 4,914 tons.
1t Is noteworthy that the Southern pro-
ductl0n was only 6 per cent over that of
1886. But for activity in ship, bridge
and car building the trade will be less
hopeful. The Thomas company has
sold No. foundry pipe at ST, and
sales OF 10000 tons of rails are reported,
but prices Go not change. In wool, the
little Improvement recently seen has
vanished, and the market favOrs buyers
again. The stocks at Boston were over
6,0OO,00o pounds larger than last ,Janu-
airy, but at New York rather smaller.
while Philadelphia stocks are refused.
The demand for WOODEN goods is mod
crate. but more frequent inquiry gives
nope, and the range OF prices is, Oh the
whole, but little below those of last
year. COttonS are in strong demand.
and many makes advanced in
price. In the leather trade. hopes of
improvement are still disappointed. but
the boot and shoe trade is better than
usual for the season. A better demand
for rubber goods is reported, and more
prospect that the trust will finally get
formed. Nearly all the speculative
markets have been weak. Stocks
weaken in spite of large reported rail
Esl Il
cent in east-bound rail rates. The Read
ing strike, and reported liquidation of a
pool On the stock, have
= CAUSED SOME DECLINE,
and in other stocks the absence Of any
public demand is felt. The average
price is $3.50 per share lower than a
week ago. Wheat has declined Ia
cents. corn a cents and lard a shade:
sugar is weaker, and coffee, while a
great slump in oil has punished those
who had faith in the power of curtail-
Ing production to control the price.
The general level Of prices of all COM
modltles is now atout 80 cents on
slG0 lower than January last, yet the
treasury, by depositing $500. GEO more
with banks. has ccntriyed to take only
s20O.000 from circulation during the
week. 1t is significant that payments
in silver certificates at custom house
rise to 1879 per cent of the total Money
is returning to the New York banks in
large volume from the interior and for
Eeign trade accounts indicate that the
withdrawal OF foreign capital in Decem-
Der probably did hot exceed s., 0OO, 900.
Exports OF tine principal products were
only $4,000, 900, against S6S,COO,OG in
1856, and for three weeks Of January
New York exports are per cent be-
low last year. Exchanges outside of
New York still exceed those of last
year by about II per cent, but they re-
fleet rather the heavy business of last
fall than current transactions. Business
failures during the last seven DAYS,
number for the United States 27G. Can
ada IS, total 3l4; COMPARED with 2sS last
week, and 81 for the corresponding
week of last wear