The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-04-12
Basspess Repert % The Countr,

NEW YORK, April 6.-EYidence is
accommodating of the shrinkage in
business during the past month, and it
is still uncertain whether it is not the
beginning of a reaction. About half
the western and southern centres re-
port some improvement in business
for the past week, but as many report
dullness, with collections somewhat
slow. Eastern trade is not up to the
expectation of the great transporting
companies by water or by rail. Those
| to New England report larger traffic
than that of last year, when the move
ment was increased by the coming en-
| forcement of the interstate act. Those
to the South report traffic not as large
as that of last year, but excellent with
from New York, shipped westward
Sc, 454 tons in March against 100, 144
last year; and east bound shipments
from Chicago for two weeks have been
I04 800 tons against 155, 706 last year.
The railroad earnings begin to show
more Losses than gains; on the whole
the net loss for roads reporting thus
far being about 0 per cent for March.
The shrinking in exchanges in March
per cent. Monetary anxiety is
TO a great extent relieved.
April payments caused no pinch.
Money markets rather close at
all but few points, are nowhere
seriously embarrassed. Foreign ex-
change is lower, with no sign of de-
mand for money from abroad. OF
-four and wheat, exports for five weeks
have been a shade less than half those
of last wear; of corn, only forty-three
per cent, and of cotton, 604 per cent.
Prices, after three months of remark
able steadinesS, were lifted by vari-
ETY. of speculations rapidly, but
show weakness again. The
general list is now less than three
fourths of one per cent above that OF
January 1st, with improvement OF
farm products made scarce by last
years drought, but general decline in
manufactured products. The treas
ury increased its balances about &c.,
000, 900 in March without causing
pressure. For the past week it has
taken in a million and half while
| adding 500, 600 to bank deposits.
Whatever it may be later, the monetary
supply is not now d cause OF the
difficulty. The present shrinkage in
demand for products may not last, but
it is for the moment the chief cause OF
dullness.
In the iron business a depression
exists greater than has been felt for
years. The suspension of work in ten
more establishments is announced.
Wool has also been weaker, with a
fair volume of trade, but manufac-
turers buy only for present needs.
and the trade in wooden goods is re-
| stricted. In cottons the upward ten
dency has been arrested, and though
the best makes are firm and in moder-
i ate supply, other grades are weak.
Print cloths are a little lower and the
| jobbing trade is below expectation,
| The speculations in coffee lifted the
price little only to meet sudden
fall. Sluggish demand at current
prices is not surprising.
Summer pork packing is estimated
at Is per cent below last year, but
prices do not stiffen. In the hardware
trade disappointing slackness is re,
ported. Larger transactions were
| prompted in hides for week by lower
| prices, but the market is again dull.
| Large offerings and lower prices
are reported in the tea market
and a free supply of butter.
with holding on best grades.
The weakness in sugar is
attributed by some to supposed ample
supplies already secured by trust refin-
cries.
While personal slackness in demand
for products is in part explained by the
unusual activity oflast fall and winter
and in part by recent storms and
strikes, uncertainty as to the action OF
congress is an influence of weight
Comparative dullness usually prevail:
in a year of presidential election
and it would not be prudent
to count upon speedy return of th'
great activity of last year.
The business failures number TO
the United States, 1919; for Canada, %
total, 227; compared with 223 las
week and 223 for corresponding weel
last year.