Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-05-25
BUSINESS BRACES UP
Encouraging Symptoms Discerned
BY Worldly Wise Men.
Dos AND sTEEL LOOKING or.


Comhaoaisirs Continue 70 Decline and
8nord small satisfaction 10 specuIa-
tive spirits-Thc Advance in Anthra-
sitter Overlooking Granaries In Prospect
- the bounding West.
NEW York, May 25.-R. G. Dun &
Co. s weekly review Of trade says: The
reports this week are little more en-
couraging. With volume of business
rather larger than a year ago there are
decidedly better crop prospects, and Of
late there ii better feeling in the
branches Of industry and trade which
have been most depressed. Iron, coal
and wool look better, ana better trade
IN cotton ii expected to follow the large
auction here on Thursday. The average
Of prices continues to decline, particu-
larly Tor products in which there is most
speculation, and during the past week
the fall has been of per cent. in spite
Of some advance in cotton, wool, oil and
butter. Greater activity and better
prices in the stock market reflect feel
ing Of increased confidence in the bust
ness outlook.
Wool a shade Stronger.
Wool Is a shade stronger because prices
asked by growers are much above the
markets, but there is little if any change
as yet in the attitude OF manufacturers
who buy for present necessities, but hold
that the goods market must improve be-
fore even the present prices can be prof
itably paid for material. The treasury
decision on worsteds is still awaited with
interest and until it comes little change
Is probable. Cotton is 1-10 stronger and
exports as well as receipts now fall far
behind last years, but the crop reports
from the south are generally favorable,
especially from Texas.
Clnthing Collections Come Hard.
The dry goods business is on the whole
not more active but with q more con-
fldent feeling, though clothing dealers
ARE in many cases complaining of the
slow collections which result from small
distribution last winter. Close on the
heels Of the failure of one large worsted
mill at Philadelphia comes the begin
ming of work on immense mills for the
Botany Worsted company at Passiac.
Better Prospects for Iron and Steel.
There is better feeling, but as yet
without improvement of prices, in the
iron and steel trade. While southern
No. | is still freely offered here at SIG,
the higher grades of No. northern are
taken more freely at S1S at Philadel-
phia, and it is hoped that the decline has
been arrested. Bar iron is in better de-
mand; plate and tank, though at the
lowest prices of the year, are wanted to
the fun capacity of works; structural
iron is fairly active, and there is good
business in wrought pipe at tlfe late adj
vance. But IN rails no change appears,
and the run of small orders is about
Se0.75 atmill.
Anthracite Advances.
In anthracite coal an advance in
prices June / is announced, and many
mines are resuming work, the total out
put for the year being about 800, 600
tons below last years. Lead is weaker,
q decision by the treasury ON imports of
Mexican being awaited. Tin has adj
vanced abroad, and sells here at 20gc.
The agreement to hold lake copper at
12c. is not expected by consumers to
prevent further decline, and the buy
ing is therefore restricted.
Accounts from interior cities are with
out important change anywhere and
show full volume of business for the
season, the bank exchanges outside New
York exceeding last years by about
per cent.
Money is everywhere in sufficient sup
ply and the light demand causes un-
usual plethora at some points.
Exceptionally Favorable Crop Prospects.
The western distributing centers are
all encouraged by exceptionally favorable
crop prospects, which are also felt in
speculative markets. Wheat has de-
clined 1c, to Sl4c., and was even lower
during the week; oats have declined 1ac.
and corn 1c., with but moderate
sales. Pork products are a shade
weaker, and flour 10c. to SOC. per bar
rel lower.
Monetary Matters All Right
The treasury does not interfere, and
offering OF bonds are light. In about
month only about S., 900, 600 have been
sold at 10S. whereas over 81 200, 900 were
bought last year in the same time at
lower prices. But it is thought that
more liberal offerings may be made in
June and meanwhile the treasury has
taken il during the week only $500, 600
more cash than it has paid out The
local money market is amply supplied
and steady at 2 per cent. on cali and for
eiun exchange fiuctuates scarcely at all.
III short, no signs Of monetary disturb
ances appear.
The Weeks Failures
The business failures for the week
number for the United States COZ, and
for Canada %. or total of go failures.
Is compared with 252 last week, and o27
the week previous to the last For the
corresponding week Of last year the fig
asres We're 2s6, made up of 213 in the
United States and IL in Canada.