The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-02-23
DunSS Report.

Ne W YORK, Feb. IL. r. G. Dun s.
Co., in their weekly review of trade
say: 1t cant be said that business has
changed for better or worse during the
past week. The causes of recent dull
ness and depression in markets become
more clearly visible. Severe weather,
prolonged strikes and reaction from
the last years over hopefulneSs being
prominent. The effects of speculation
based on hopes of foreign war are made
plain by preliminary accounts of Janu-
airy exports, showing loss of Sc, 400, 900
in breadstuff, "a 800 600 in cotton, 81
300, 900 in provisions, and $500, 600 in
oil compared with January. 1887. But
Improvement is expected to appear in
minor items, and patial returns for
February show better movement.
The markets continue unusually stag
nant and prices vary but little on the
whole. The average price of stocks
has not changed half of one per cent
snSe the year ORensdi The general gs
than an eighth of one per-
cent lower than January 1st
or higher than February 1st, the
natural advance of the season in some
products being balapced by lower
prices in most of the commonest ar
ticles.
The shrinkage in exports forces slow
reaction in wheat, 10000, 900 bushels
less having gone out in seven months
this year than last year. At this date
about st, 1000, 900 bushels remain for ex-
port in excess of supplies for seed and
food, whereas last years exports after
this date were $4,000, 900 bushels
The general reduction in elevator rates
is expected to help trading and to BEN
eft producers.
ri oSch nH
nor yielded, though hogs are lower.
Oil has declined II cents, and sugar
from to I cent. The operations of
| the trust turn some to favor duties.
The recent increase in confidence in
| tea has been lost.
Coffee options are pressed for sale.
Butter tirmer for good grades, with
no change in cheese.
/ The dry goods markets show great
strength in cottons, although the
| prices of many qualities are already
high enough, for one cent further ad-
vance in raw cotton. There is talk of
| further advance.
The demand for woolens continues
moderate, though better than it was
and wool is firm, but buyers are still
unusually cautious.
last year exceed 6,SOO,0O0 tons
and of all iron, domestic
and foreign, over $1,000, 600 tons,
but the shrinkage of 10000 tons weekly
in the production barely keeps the
prices steady, and in bar iron the cut
made by large western establishment
reflects the shrinkage in demand
Prices are now 81. so lower than year
ago for pig iron, S6 for bar, Sc to 81 fol-
plates aud 81 for rails. Added to the
light demand as cause of the weak
ness there is the statement that the
committees tariff bill will reduce the
duties on ore to so cents, on pig iron tC
$3.50 and on rails to $11.
At st. Louis, Kansas City and some
other western towns lower rates have
caused a considerable increase in bust
ness activity, but at most points trade
is reported quiet, or dull with unfavor-
able weather and impracticable roads
commonly assigned as the cause
throughout the west and southwest
In southeastern states business opens
with bright prospects. The business
failures during the last seven days
number for the United States 236, fol-
Canada, 81. Total 273, as compared
with $50 last week and 267 for the cor
responding week last year.