The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-21
BUSINESS RATHER DULL.
BUYERS DIsINCLINED TO LAY IN
LARGE STOCKS.

Uncertainties Caused by Strikes
Explanation of the Cautiousness -
Collections Fairly Satisfactory and
Money Generally in Fair Supply.
New York, Jan. 2O-R G. Dun & Co.'S
review of trade for the week says:
Business throughout the country is rather
quiet, even for the season. Fairly active
jobbing trade is reported at several points
where the wholesale business Is distinct
ly dull, and the prevailing feature seems
TO be an indisposition to take quantities, in
view of the unusual uncertainties in the
many markets, caused by strikes, specula-
tion and legislative deliberations. At Chi
cago speculation has been dull, and in legit-
innate trade, though there is some improve
ment of late, less is doing than last year.
Hard times in the drought regions through
out the West affect purchasers, but in other
sections there is a gain.
PROMPT PAYMENTS.
At ST. Louis prompt payment on the part
of the purchasers and continuing large dis
tributions are noticed. AT Louisville val
ues are softer, without improvement in vol
ume. AT Southern points trade is quiet,
and at Philadelphia slight Improvement
in distribution is OBJ erved. Collections are
fairly satisfactory at nearly all points, and
money Is generally in fair supply, though
rather close at Denver and Cleveland
The Lehigh and Reading strikes grow
more effective, and are stopping maay man
utacturing establishments. Though the
actual deliveries of anthracite are larger
than for same weeks last year, operators
and retailers vie with each other in putting
up prices. The poverty of the miners causes
serious apprehension among traders, no
remeuber that their losses after the strike
of 1873 were three-fourths of their accounts.
PIG IRON.
The Iron Association reports 6,417, 143
tons of pig made last year, a gain Of 13 per
cent, but the unsold stocks increased S4,9l3
tons. 1t is noteworthy that the Southern
production was only per cent. over that Of
1886. But for the activity in ship. bridge
and car building the trade would be less
hopeful The Thomas Company has sold
No. foundry for pipe at Sl7, and sales of
10000 tons of rails are reported, but prices
do not change.
In wool the little Improvement recently
seen has vanished and the market favors
the buyers again. The stocks at Boston
were over 6,000,0DO pounds larger than last
January, but at New York rather smaller,
while Philadelphia stocks are refused. The
demand for woolen goods is moderate, but
more frequent inquiry gives hope, and the
ranges Of prices are on the whole but littl9
below those of last year.
. coTToNs IN STRONG DEMAND.
Cottons are in strong demand, and many
makes have advanced in price.
in the latter trade, hopes of improvement
are still disappointed, but the boot and shoe
trade is better than usual for the season.
lc so
ported. and there is more prospect that a
trust will finally be formed.
Nearly all of the speculative markets have
been weak. The average price of stocks is
81 50 per share lower than week ago.
Wheat has declined nc, corn
1-6c., and lard shade Sugar
il weaker and so is coffee,
those who had faith IL che power of curtailed
production to control prices. The general
level of prices Of all commodities is now
about Soc. on the 500 lower than Jan /,
yet the Treasury, by depositing $4,000, 600
more with banks, has contrived to take
only 100000 from circulation during the
week.
RUSHING IN SILVER CERTIFICATES.
It is significant that payments in silver
certificates at custom house rose to l358 per
cent. of the total. Money is returning to
New York banks in large volume from the
interior, and foreign trade accounts Indicate
that the withdrawal of foreign capital in
December probably did not exceed ST.
1000 The exports Of the principal prod
ucts were only s54,0OO,000, against
S6S,000,U00 in 1886, and for
tho three weeks of January New York ex-
ports are S.S per cent. below last year.,
Exchanges outside Of New York still ex-
ceed those of last year by about IL per
cent, but they reflect rather the heavy busi-
ness of last fall rather than current trans
actions.
The business failures occurring through
out the country during the last week num-
Der for the United States 276. aud for Can
ada 80, a total Of 3l4, against 2sS last week.