Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-03-31
CONDITION OF TRADE.

Year Ago I'm VoIume-Tendency to
Lower prices-An Export NJ owe
ment OF Gold Predicted.
Following is R. G. Dunn's review of traffic
for the week ending March7:
Business begins TO fall below that Of last
year in volume. The railroad strike and it's
liability Of extension, the uncertainty as to
the tariff and the mode Of preventing the ac-
cumulstion of money In the treasury, the death
of the German emperor and the doubts as to
ifs financial effects conspire to check new ven
lures and TO limit purchases to immediate
needs. Thus the exchanges outside OF New
York fall below those Of last year, and the de-
cline at nearly all the principal centers Of dis
tribution is considerable, though numerous
smaller cities still report gains. The tenden-
cy Of the markets is generally toward lower
prices, though the average for all commodi-
ties is, as yet, hardly ! per cent below the
highest point TO which it rose after New Years.
In the stock market the downward move
ment has been more definite, though without
any excitement. The cause above named,
and especially the considerable foreign sales
since the decease Of the German emperor was
anticipated fully account for the average de-
cline Of about 81 per share. Indeed, the re-
markable steadiuess of the market under the
circumstances is constantly mentioned. But
this implies a measure OF unreality 10 current
prices; markets which do not respond to natu-
raj influences are with reason distrusted. The
appeal to the courts By the Burlington and
Quincy opens the way TO a legal decision
whether any combination OF men can Ia Wfully
| arrest traffic on one railroad because IL per-
forms its duty as a common carrier in taking
freight from another. 1t is felt that the de-
| cision mar prove Of great Importance in the
/ end hut IL can hardly be reached soon enough
| to have influence this season. EARRINGS con-
4 iinue large, but the increase 10 expenses also
continues
The wheat market has been lifted 2 cenis by
/ the foreign news, but with the result OF com
| pietely arresting the export demand. As the
/ reported exports last month from Atlantic
/ ports were less than half those of the same
| weeks last year. while exports as large as last
/ years would still leave a cons derable surplus
1 next Juy the expediency OF an advance is
4 doubtful Corn aud oats have also risen about
/ cent and oil a little more, while the foreign
news has checked decline in pork products.
| Cotton and sugar are lower, with some grades
OF iron aud wool. The decline in sugar has
/ been small, and the belief that the trust may
be effeclualy resisted seems to increase. A
drop of half a cent in cotton has caused some
failures here and at the south, but does moi
| surprise those who have observed that re
| ceipts from plantations are still about 360, OOl
bales above those of last year to date. The
| belief that the crop will reach Goo 600 bales
appears to gain strength.
In the drg goods market the demand, ever
for cotton goods, has become moderate. The
uncertainty as 10 prompt transportation check
operations, as also does the uncertainty as Z
the tariff. The inquiry for print clothes i
light at 35s cents; not long ago II was strong
at cents. The wool market is steady for thu
better grades, which are in small supply, bu
other lots are slow OF sale except at eonces
sions and manu- actur RS geneIallr are buying
onlr for immediate wants. The boot an'
shoe trade is steady aud manufacturers busy
the feeling that leather can hardly go lowe
helps purchases. With kip No. ! at Ia cent
and brogan No. at 10 the markets. still dull
Hides are easier. Rubber Is firmer because Q
Para prices; fine is quoted at I515 cents
Iron does not grow stronger. IL the sur
ply for good grades Is limited, so is the de
) msud, while grades less known are offered a
concessions Bar iron is weak again; sale
below 1.9 cents are reiorted. Sales OF 3D.
, tons of domestic steel rails resulted in Sigh
lowering of ouotations-to S3i 25-at easter
mills; - 500 tons of foreign were taken K
! Pacific delivery.
The treasury has paid out money more FREE
9 " the past week and has added S7O0, 900 to I
deposits in banks and vet has taken in SLIGO
: OOj more than it has paid out. The eXceptto
e of early reports of gold is strengthened
I trade accounts, indicating probable exec
Z | of imports over ,exports in February, and
:, recent sales of securities on foreign accouu
/ But the supply OF money at all interior poin
o reporting is simple aud collections are M
r where a matter Of special complaint
e The business failures occurring throughor
o the country during the psst seven days. as r
s ported, number for the United States 1876 an
l. for Canada IS, or a total of 253 as compare
4 with a total of ga last week, and 110 Il
week previous to the last For the CORE
4 pounding week of 1857 the figures we're 203
n the United States and 20 in Canada; tot
|