Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-04-27
TRADE REVIEW
Favorable Prospects for Improved
Business Reported.
nlPROVEMENT NDIOATED m IRON.

Confidence I'm Bountifm Crops Keeps
Down Prices in Cereals and Commodi-
tIes--centennIaI Excitement Depresses
Business In New York-GeneraI Weak
ness in Speculative Markets.
New YORK. April Pr. G. Dun &
Co.'S weekly review of trade says: BUSH
ness in this region is so interrupted by
centennial preparations and the APP
preaching holidays that the decrease in
volume is not surprising. Some disap-
pointment is felt, however, because re-
tail trade is SO fiat except on decoration
goods. Reports from other quarters in
dictate a continued improvement and even
IN the iron and wooden branches the
signs for the present are more favorable
Money is accommodating here and plenty
at nearly all interior points; collections
are generally better, though no improve
ment IS seen at Milwaukee and while the
general complaint is that the present de-
mand for money is but moderate, the
confidence that business will soon expand
il ~ strong as ever. Perhaps it is in
iluenced little too much by the belief
that the crops this year are to be UNI
usually large. but after all reasonable
allowances, there is more ground than
usual to look for year OF good trade.
Improvement Indicated I'm Iron.
The iron market continues unsatisfac-
tory here, and southern No. is sold at
Sl6.75, and sale of steel rails at less
than $27, at mill, is reported. But the
feeling at Philadelphia is clearly inn
proved, the demand for plate and tank
iron and sheet IRON being fair, while
there Is decided improvement in struc-
tural iron and in nails. The market for
bar iron is more steady, several mills
near Philadelphia having closed, reduc-
ing the supply. With all the indications
Of Improvement it is not yet clear that
the consumption will restrain the present
large output of pig iron, and prices do
not strengthen. In the wool market,
also, better feeling is noted, and prices
seem firmer. though buying is strictly
limited, and the mills are working at
only part of their capacity. In drugs
and chemicals, also, another trade which
has been very dull, distinct improve
ment is observed at Philadelphia, with
collections in better shape and prospects
brighter.
Lower Prices in Speculative Markets.
in most of the speculative markets
prices are lower aud that fact also gives
promise of larger and freer trade. Wheat
is 2 cents lower at SO cents, with sale of
10000, 900 bushels for the week. Corn is
cent lower at 42E and oats cent lower.
Coffee has not changed, but speculation
in sugar has turned downward and fair
xefining is over lower at Sc. There Is
no change of consequence in pork pro-
ducts, and oil is fraction stronger, but
leather Is again cent lower, butter 2
cents and cheese cent lower and flour
has declined for some grades 90 to 20
cents per barrel. Speculation in cotton
is still strong and the price is higher,
with sales here of $50, 900 bales and ex-
ports continuing very large.
Exports Exceed Imports.
IN consequence mainly of the enorm-
Gus cotton movement, the value of ex-
ports in March exceeded the value of
merchandise imports by SO, $50, 1896. The
net exports of gold, $3, 712. 225 for the
month, and about 81 100000 of silver
made about 100000 paid abroad against
interest due and undervaluations. For
three months the net exports of mer-
chandise represented about half the es-
timated interest on speculative stock and
undervaluations These figures show
that in spite Of much weakness in specu-
lative stocks the foreign investments
still exceed Withdrawals of foreign capi-
tal, and of late the demand for railroad
and other bonds has been exceptionally
strong.
At New York the merchandise exports
for April thus far exceed last years by
"a per cent, while in the imports here
there Is an apparent decline of 8 per
cent, due in part, no doubt, to the fact
that the market is already supplied, but
also in part to the decline in prices of
most commodities here, while in Euro
pean markets the great tendency of
prices is upward. Since April / the fall
il the average prices Of all commodities
here has been fully half of l per cent
Confidence Unimpaired by Failures.
The dry goods trade is well main
tanned. The grocery trade has been
more active. No sales of lake copper are
reported here, but London prices are
Still lower. while tin is stronger. The
demand FOR lead seems to be supplied for
the present, and $3.65 is the latest quo
tation. It is a fact worthy Of notice
that some considerable failures Of late
have produced no disturbance or feeling
OF apprehension, and while the number
Of failures has been very large thus far
this year, there is not the sense of UNI
easiness which would usually attend
such d record Of disasters.
Failures during the last seven days:
United States, 1S6: Canada, 81. Total
213. compared with s46 last week and
223 the same week last year.
Readings aEarch Statement
PHILADELPHIA. April 27.--The Read
fssfr e&a8ktaaak fsas. Afoe1, which, will 10