Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-01-26
COMMERCIAL.
rHE coSDIrIoN oF BUsINEss.
Dun's Report Says it is Dull in Conse'
quence Ofthe Strikes

Business throughout the country Is rather
quiet even for the season. Fairly active
joooing trade is reported at several points
where wholesale business is distinctly dull and
prevailing feature seems to be indisposition
to take quantities in view of the unusual un-
certainties in many markets caused by strikes,
by speculation and by legislative delibera-
tions. 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 drouth regions through
out the West affect purchases, but in
other sections there is gain.
At st. Louis prompt payment ON past pur-
chases and continuing large distributions are
noticed; at Louisville values are softer with
out improvement in volume; at Southern
points trade is quiet, and at Philadelphia
slight improvement in distribution is OBJ
served. Collections are fairly satisfactory
at nearly all points and money generally at
| fair supply, though rather close at Denver
and Cleveland.
The Lshigh and Reading strikes grow more
effective and are stopping many manufac-
turing establishments Though actual deliv-
cries of anthracite are larger than for the
same weeks last year, operators and retailers
| vie with each other in putting up prices.
Poverty of miners causes serious apprehen-
sion among traders who rememeer that their
losses after the strike of 1875 were three
fourths of their accounts
| The Iron Association reports 6,417. 14S tons
of pig made last year, gain OF 13 per cent 4,
but unsold stock increased "a ,913 tons. 1t is
noteworthy that Southern production was
only per cent over that of 1885. But for ac-
'tivity in ship, bridge and car building the
trade would be less hop full The Thomas
Company has sold No. 2 fouadry for pipe at
SIT, and sales of 10000 tons of rails are re-
ported, but prices do not change
In wool the little improvement recently
seen has vanished, and the market favors
buyers again. The stocks at Boston were over
100000 pounds larger than last January, but
at New York rather smaller, while Phiadel-
phia stocks are refused, The demand for
woolen goods is moderate but more frequent
inquiry gives hope, and the range Of prices is
on the whole but little below those Of last year,
Cottons are in storing demand and may
make advance in price. In the leather trade
hopes of improvement are still disappointed
but the boot and shoe trade is better thar
usual for the season. A better demand for
rubber goods is reported and more prospect
chat the Trust will finally get formed.
Nearly all the speculative markets have
been weak Stocks weaken in spite Of large
reported railroad earnings and an advance Of
10 per cent. in east bound rail rates. The
Reading strike and reported liquidation of a
pool on the stock have caused sams decline
and in other stocks the absence of any public
demand is felt The average price is $1.5(
per share lower than week ago. Wheat hal
clined SIC; corn 1-4c and larl u shade
gar is weaker ami so is coffee, while a grea
stump in oil haspunished those who had faith
in the power Of curtailed production to con
troll the price. The general level of prices o
all commodities is now about50 cents on $1O(
lower than on January l.
Yet the Treasury, by depositing 81, 800, ,O0'
more with banks, has contrive1 to take only
500, 600 from circulation during the week.
is significant that payments in silver certifi
cites at the Custom House rise to 13H pc
cent. of the total Money is returning to tn
New York ba ks in large volume from tn
interior and foreign trade accounts indicat
that .> W .udr wal Of -oreign capital in DE-
cember probably dld not exceed $1,000, ,0)C
Exports Of the principal products were only
s54,OOO,OOO against $6s,OOO,O 900 in 1886, an
for three weeks of January New York ez
ports are s.S per cent. below last year. E,
changes outside of New York still excee
, those of last year by about II per cent, bu
they reflect rather the heavy business of las
: fall than current transactions.
, Business failures occurring within the Las
! seven days number, for the United States 81
) Canada 3s, total 314; compared with 2SS Las
: week and SO1 for the corresponding week o
} last year.